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Hello Everyone new Checkmate owner

B

bigmikeh65

New member
First off...I have purchased a 1979 18ft exciter with a 175 Evinrude.....The fuel tank has been mounted under the bow....will this effect top speed or ride? Also what kind of mph should I be looking for on this baby?? Thanks so much for your help
 
Welcome! Fuel tank in the bow will slow you down that's for sure, but it will help when you're pulling a skier. The ideal setup is a tank up front and a tank in back, with a fuel pump to transfer the fuel as needed front or back. Or better yet, have the fuel tank in back where it belongs, and mount some trim tabs on the transom to help when pulling up a skier.
 
Thanx for the input.....It does have a small fuel pump up front to assist in getting the fuel back there....Im not concerned pulling skiers really.....I would only think a mile an hour or 2 at the most would be effected according to local mech and race freak !! lol....he did mention it would probably improve choppy water performance....
 
My tank is mounted up front also and I found in light chop you do have more control but, when you get in heavy chop or large boat wake the front off the boat slams down hard due to the extra weight up front.
 
Mile or two, im thinking lots more then that maybe 7-10. Checkmates need to air out to go fast , hence the jackplates to lift the bow with the leverage help of 400 pounds further back. I think id remove that even if it took using two 6 gallon tanks in the back. By doing so you will remove 200++ pounds from the absolute best spot you could remove it. I know it probably gonna take some work but , im sure everyone will be glad to walk ya through the process, it shouldnt be to bad.:thumb: Good luck Aaron
 
Welcome Bigmike, I also own an Exciter except mine now has a Evinrude XP-200. My Exciter originally started out with a Johnson 175. I mounted the motor to a hyd. jackplate with 6" setback and 6" jack. Top speed light on fuel was 70mph. I would move the tank to the back and let the bow fly. I had best luck running w/a 26p Chopper, and use a 19p SSTII for occasional skiing runs. Post some pics and let us see it.
 
Thanks so much for all the good imput....I am already leaning toward moving the tank toward the back of the boat......I do like lift and speed so I can imagine it would be like hauling a pretty chunky buddy around on the bow !!!!!!!!! Ok with tank in back and 25 pitch 4 blade is 65 plus mph out of reach???????? 18 exciter 175 evinrude......Happy Cruising !!!!!!!!!
 
I think 65 would be optimistic without moving the tank to the back and adding a hyd. jack. I think more like 55-60 is realistic.
 
I had my 1992 Pulse 171 (closed bow) with a 6" jack plate, 2.5 liter XR6 150 spinning a Laser II 26" at over 65 mph.

I think if your 175 is still tight, 65 should be easy with the right prop.
 
Well alrighty then !!! Thats all good news to me....Is the exciter hull a fast checkmate hull?? Just wondering?? I have had some really fast boats....mostly bass boats...outta that now....It was this or a tunnel hull...
 
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