New 35ZT Checkmate pics

[TEAMBAJA]

Being you were Baja's test pilot tell us how this hull did in the water.

The 342 came out before I started driving. I think I only drove one on the reservoir that needed to be tested before it shipped so I didnt get to do any real speed runs. I remember being impressed with the way it handled for a big boat. You can really crank on the wheel at speed and feel safe. But as far as doing any kind of speed run in our reservoir, its basically a suicide run towards the rocks and crank the wheel at the last second. You just just pray the guy that hooked up the steering wasnt out too late the night before!

 

[Vandalizer]

Now THAT'S quality control!!

 

[TEAMBAJA]

-I actually DO like the large cockpit area of the 350ZT. They need to work on the cabin design, though. If the customer ordered the colors and scheme, it's hard to blame Checkmate for it being a little boring. But at the end of the day, it's still a 10+ yr old Baja design.

-"Hopefully the 4 new models from the old Baja molds will help Checkmate survive the economic crunch until they can start some NEW Checkmates from scratch"

TB, did these 4 old molds help Baja survive........?

Thats not a fair question. If we could have handpicked our molds from Fountain, Outerlimits, Nortech, MTI or where ever, we couldnt have survived with our piss poor management. Just a few short years ago Baja easily had the biggest share of the pie in the performance boat world, and we were working 6 and 7 days a week, 10 to 12 hrs or more a day for awhile. After consistent bad decisions from the "vice president" the place went into a downward spiral. In fact, he shouldnt even be allowed to work in the marine industry anywhere!

 

[Chris]

It really does'nt matter who does'nt like it. Evidently the guy with the money did. That's really all that matters if you're in the boat selling business.

Yeah, putting your money where your mouth is, tends to seperate the real spenders from the pretenders...

-Chris

 

[SCT]

"Thats not a fair question".....

Greg, I agree that is not a fair statement that I made about the 4 Baja models. I know Baja closing down was a very complicated situation w/ probably lots of blame to go around. At the end of the day, Bucyrus and the employees were the big losers.

But I still think what was good for the gander(Baja) might not be good for the goose. In my opinion, these Baja molds really allienate a lot of the true Checkmate fans that will ultimately not buy any of these models. Also, I doubt if very few true Baja guys will buy these models w/ a Checkmate sticker on the side. That's why I wish Checkmate Marine would design some new clean sheet boats, do some marketing and turn everyone on to the brand. TB, I'll still buy you a Coors Lt sometime though!

Just my opinion-

 

[Vandalizer]

Hey, I have an question- I work with a guy from the Toledo area and we were talking about boats in general, Checkmates specifically. Is it correct to say BuCYrus, with the emphasis on the CY? I had always said it without stressing the middle syllable.

 

[cooperider]

Hey, I have an question- I work with a guy from the Toledo area and we were talking about boats in general, Checkmates specifically. Is it correct to say BuCYrus, with the emphasis on the CY? I had always said it without stressing the middle syllable.

Yes. Many people from out of town try to pronounce it Bucky-rus, which isn't right.

 

[Vandalizer]

Sorry, no- I was pronouncing it (bear with me, this is ugly) byoo cer us
but was told it should be byoo SY rus.

Does that make any sense?

 

[Big Red]

It really does'nt matter who does'nt like it. Evidently the guy with the money did. That's really all that matters if you're in the boat selling business.

Your right Wildman that's what the guy ordered. I remember this hideous looking boat you sold. But I don't see it in your sold Checkmates section on your site. Maybe the boat should have not been revealed yet. If everybody is going to blame it on WHAT THE GUY ORDERED. Maybe Checkmate should have made 2 and kept this one unexposed.

 

[TEAMBAJA]

"Thats not a fair question".....

Greg, I agree that is not a fair statement that I made about the 4 Baja models. I know Baja closing down was a very complicated situation w/ probably lots of blame to go around. At the end of the day, Bucyrus and the employees were the big losers.

But I still think what was good for the gander(Baja) might not be good for the goose. In my opinion, these Baja molds really allienate a lot of the true Checkmate fans that will ultimately not buy any of these models. Also, I doubt if very few true Baja guys will buy these models w/ a Checkmate sticker on the side. That's why I wish Checkmate Marine would design some new clean sheet boats, do some marketing and turn everyone on to the brand. TB, I'll still buy you a Coors Lt sometime though!

Just my opinion-

I totally agree with you that the Baja molds allienate the true Checkmate fans, this is a hardcore group of guys. This website is proof. But looking back to just a few years ago, Checkmate was barely a blip on the radar anymore. I rarely saw any new boats coming out of there. Now you drive by and the place is starting to look alive again, and its great to see! I dont just mean with the Baja stuff, but with Checkmates old line. There are always several little outboard boats being built everytime I stop by. Hopefully things keep picking up and maybe we'll see Checkmate start tooling for something bigger and original.

I do believe Hawkeye Boat Sales in Iowa could convert a few of the hardcore Baja guys. They seem to have an amazing relationship with their customers that I didnt understand till I was out there last year. They were the largest Baja dealer in the world and have refused to carry Reggies Bajas. They picked up Sunsation in the meantime, but I hear they are excited about the 350ZT. I wouldnt be surprised if they are on the list for one or two already.

I'll gladly except that Coors Light! haha!

 

[Big Red]

TB

Please do tell what was so wrong with Reggies Bajas !!! I here half the Baja guys whining about this but I always felt it was a improvement.

 

[Check This]

Yeah, putting your money where your mouth is, tends to seperate the real spenders from the pretenders...

-Chris

Everybody is entilted to an opinion. From what I see this site has some real enthusiastic checkmate guys who are loyal. To me that is worth something to both checkmate and this site. Buying a boat is easy being loyal to what you buy is the hard part. I was so reluctant to ever own a checkmate but I took the word of the guy who sold it to me. He was right the boat is that good. I also noticed this weekend that there are at least a dozen checkmate owners where I boat, everything from the old to the new that made me feel pretty good. Naturally the hate running against the Longdeck but its all in fun. Whats fun for me is getting ready for the 24!! Now if we can only figure how to get the 24 into the 80's that would be something.

 

[TEAMBAJA]

TB

Please do tell what was so wrong with Reggies Bajas !!! I here half the Baja guys whining about this but I always felt it was a improvement.

Are you asking me my opinion on Reggies Bajas or why Hawkeye doesnt carry them? Im not a potential buyer, so my opinion is pretty much worthless but Id be happy to share it with you. Its probably similar to your opinion of what you call the "Beckmate".

 

[Big Red]

Are you asking me my opinion on Reggies Bajas or why Hawkeye doesnt carry them? Im not a potential buyer, so my opinion is pretty much worthless but Id be happy to share it with you. Its probably similar to your opinion of what you call the "Beckmate".

Yes the Reggie baja's always wondered why your buddy Dock hated them so much.

 

[TEAMBAJA]

Yes the Reggie baja's always wondered why your buddy Dock hated them so much.

I cant speak for Dock, but he made alot of good friends in the Baja Chain and was/is a very loyal Baja By Baja fan.

My opinion........

Im not a fan of paint unless its custom paint. If they were going to paint them, why didnt they come up with something original instead of using our old "cookie cutter" graphics on the new Baja By Fountains? Im sure you'd have to agree with that.

Stringers were an obvious improvement, but its not like he reinvented the wheel. That had to be done. We were in the process of going back to stringers but it was too late.

They didnt gain any real speed on any of the models like everyone assumed. Some of the dealers that went to the plant actually claimed a few models like the 35 Outlaw handled the same but were slower.

The fit and finish look pretty good on most of them, but they definately need some help in the upholstery dept. (I saved a pic but I guess I cant post it here?)

 

[Big Red]

As far a speed I have seen that hashed out before. Reggie is building Baja useing the old Baja molds. It was stated the only way he could make them faster cost effectively was to use a Fountain hull and a Baja deck. And that would look funky.

 

[TEAMBAJA]

As far a speed I have seen that hashed out before. Reggie is building Baja useing the old Baja molds. It was stated the only way he could make them faster cost effectively was to use a Fountain hull and a Baja deck. And that would look funky.

Didnt they frankenstein a 40 Outlaw deck onto a Fountain hull? It seems like no one is talking about the new Bajas By Fountain anymore.

 

[Big Red]

Didnt they frankenstein a 40 Outlaw deck onto a Fountain hull? It seems like no one is talking about the new Bajas By Fountain anymore.

I missed that boat,, Not much talk anymore on them

 

[fireguy]

I'm just wondering how many hundreds of thousands of R & D dollars it would take to retool and build a new boat from scratch, and how economically feasible that is in this economic climate?

 

[TEAMBAJA]

I'm just wondering how many hundreds of thousands of R & D dollars it would take to retool and build a new boat from scratch, and how economically feasible that is in this economic climate?

Not only the money, but think about the time it would take to start a new 35 from scratch. Imagine the time it would take to get just the deck and hull plugs ready. Then the time it would take to make the molds and have them in perfect condition for the first parts. Coop, how long do you think it would take your crew to get those few steps done before actually pulling parts from them? Be realistic.