My 85 Predictor

[85Predictor]

Have set up a new link for pictures.
Just dropped a roll of film off.
Will add more in the next few days.

I am starting to see why so many of you(us) have "Checkmate Fever"!!

Great looking boats and Great site!!
-Thanks!!-

 

[85Predictor]

Have set up a new link for pictures.
Just dropped a roll of film off.
Will add more in the next few days.

I am starting to see why so many of you(us) have "Checkmate Fever"!!

Great looking boats and Great site!!
-Thanks!!-

 

[MrWick]

That is a great looking boat,in fact it looks like it is a twin to the 85 Predictor I purchased a couple of months ago,sad to say though I haven't had mine in the water yet.There must be at least 2 Checkmate lovers with good taste.Good luck with it and have many enjoyable boating seasons.

 

[85Predictor]

MrWick,
Hope to have many boating seasons with the new Mate. As you know, the boating season does not last long enough up in Maine. I snow ski so it does pass the time. Now that I have a boat, I think the Winters are going to drag by!!

Post some pictures of your Pridictor.
I would like to see the twin!

 

[MrWick]

I will get some pictures of my 85 as soon as it gets off the trailer and into the water.One really nice thing about living in Florida is you get to boat all year.I can get my boat in the water from my house in about 2 minutes.

 

[175checkmate]

Great looking boat, how about some details.

1975 Checkmate Tri-mate 2, 2.4 200+ / Sky jacker 6" plate / 25p Laser 2 prop

 

[85Predictor]

Bought it 3 weeks ago for $3000. Seemed fair.
Found some "punky" spots out back under the seat. Will have to look into it this Fall.
Don't think it is wide spread.
Seats need to be re-done. Good "Wintah Project".
A little Maine Accent!
Finish is in real good shape. Future pictures should show the shine. Great workmanship at Checkmate!!
Ran for 2 days before the stator and one switch box went bad. OUCH!!
Running good now!
46 on GPS with a 19P(5500-5600 rpm) on a 115 Merc(1987)
It does not have a jackplate. In fact, I need to check/verify the height.
Any suggestions for the height setting without a jackplate? Should it be set according to Merc installation booklet?(Which I have)

I used to think Glastron made the best looking boats. After seeing the boats on this board, I have changed my mind!!

 

[175checkmate]

Sounds good, on the height I would look to see what hole the motor is mounted on, more than likly in the middle hole. I would then move it to the top hole and test it. The merc book is fine for a base line, but as all boat are different its hard to just follow the book.
Also prior to moving the engine. Trim it all the way down so the lower unit is square with the bottom of the boat. Then take a streight edge and go from the bottom of the "v" and the very front of the bullet on the lower unit. Measure the differance. This is how hare the lower unit is below the bottom of the boat. The higher you can get the motor and still have water pressure the better. This works to a point, meaning if you go to high and can't keep the bite with the prop to carry the bow. Then you wil slow down.

1975 Checkmate Tri-mate 2, 2.4 200+ / Sky jacker 6" plate / 25p Laser 2 prop

 

[85Predictor]

Thanks for the help!!!
Will check it out!!
Here is one more picture fresh from the store.

 

[Chris]

Nice.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Webmaster
Checkmate-Boats.com-The Fanatics Home!

 

[MrWick]

The motor on my 85 is in the second hole from the top but I can't tell you yet how it works as it hasn't been in the water yet.It seems to me that you got a pretty good buy on your boat especially if you don't end up with to many problems.I paid 1500.00 more than you and I have been working on mine for over 2 months.I have yet to water test it so I don't know what that is going to show.If you have any questions about your Predictor or need to compare it with another one let me know.

 

[MrWick]

85 Predictor when I bought my 85 I thought my only soft spot was just in front of the rear seat,the rest of the floor felt good.What I discovered when I pulled the carpet up was all the wood from the transom to the front of the boat was bad.The reason it felt solid was the fact that the bottom of the boat under the wood is full of foam which is pretty solid which made the floor feel solid even though the wood was bad.Just put new carpet in mine this past week after re-doing the floor and it really looks good.I also had to rebuild the left rear bulkhead as that wood was bad along with the left seat base.I am waiting on rebuild kits for the carbs as 2 of 3 leaked gas then maybe I will get it in the water to see if it runs under a load.I have enjoyed working on it especially when you see good results.It hasn't cost much so far but a lot of manual labor but my labor is cheap.Good luck

 

[85Predictor]

MrWick,
Boy I hope I'm not faced with the same damage!!
I do have a small area behind the rear seat back that needs attention.(Both sides) Sure hope it is not as wide-spread as yours. One never knows. Afraid to pull the carpet!!
But, once you get it in the water it will be worth the effort!
Went riding and skiing last Saturday.
Even tried to keep up with a jet-ski!!
Thought I would never do such a thing!!
Need a few more MPH!!
Bakedgoods boat would have passed it! Have you seen his '88 Predictor yet?? NICE!!!

Nights are starting to dip into the 40's. Will have to think about pulling it out for the Winter. Would like to have it in during foliage season. Would make for some nice pictures.
Post some photos sometime. Chris can help you with that. Good luck with the repairs.
You are almost there!

 

[CheckmateFever]

Dude, I'm jealous!!! Man i wish that i coulda bought the Predictor i looked at for sale, but i'm not spending 6500 bucks for a 79!! Great looking boat!!!

 

[Chris]

Here is an updated pic.

 

[illMATTic]

man i wish mine had that shine too it.that is a great color combo.

 

[Brian]

Nice looking mate!! I always liked the looks of an inline outboard on a mate. Sharpe colors, keep her clean man.Very nice!!

Brian

 

[JUPITER PULSARE]

UNLIKE MOST WOMEN, CHECKMATES ALWAYS LOOK GREAT, EVEN WITH SOME YEARS ON THEM!!

OOH, I KNOW I'M GONNA GET SLAPPED FOR THAT COMMENT!!

DIDN'T MEAN IT TO BE DISRESPECTFUL IN ANY WAY....

 

[jgreen]

you're right on all counts! :

 

[v8borah]

Great looking boat, I'm fixing transom and floors on my blue predictor it's 1983,adding knee brackets to support the 235hp on the back, the old girl has been over powered with a 200hp, and I think after I make it bullet proof, it well like the 235,I'm still trying to fix the 200hp . Your pictures make all the glass work go faster.