new 78 Checkmate owner pictures and a couple questions.

[Audiguy]

I picked this up on Mothers day for $700 as it sits.

I have looked on line for info on the boat and nothing.

Its a 20' Trimate III but all I find are 17" boats.

Strapped to it is a Johnson 140 running great and I picked up a spare power head from a man local that was rebuilt for $800





It had a weak floor in the rear of the boat.I was going to wait until the winter but it drove me insane if I stepped in the boat and felt the weak floor give.
I am removing it and the runner/floor joist because I was told from a man @ Checkmate its mainly support for your floor.

I am glassing in everything will be done this weekend.
Will get new carpet through out.

Transom is sold no rot at all,beat it with a hammer and was solid in sound also.






My question is hull related.

Are there anythings I should do to strengthen prior to the floor being covered back up?
Should I install a pump in the rear for water or just run it as it came with the drain plug?
Should I reseal the transom bolts for the engine bracket?
Last should I remove the rubber bump trim and reseal the top to ensure no water gets in from there while driving?



Thanks for any input

Paul Decker
Atlanta,GA

 

[TheNerd]

I would put a bilge pump behind the gas tank, make a little cut out in the floor near the drain plug. They come in handy if you get any water in the boat. I wouldnt bother sealing behind the rub rail. You could just for good measure seal up the motor bolts. But thats just my $0.02.

That is a good looking boat, looks like a good deal.

I am amazed that you were able to post pics right away, usually people have all kinds of trouble.

 

[Audiguy]

I have a good bit more done to the floor today.

I was thinking the pump would be the way to go,hated to have to do the floor now but the transom is solid so i do not have to separate the boat and fix that.

I will post more pictures of the work to the floor unless I should start a overhauling thread?


Thanks again for your 2 pennies.

 

[ross]

I have a good bit more done to the floor today.

I was thinking the pump would be the way to go,hated to have to do the floor now but the transom is solid so i do not have to separate the boat and fix that.

I will post more pictures of the work to the floor unless I should start a overhauling thread?


Thanks again for your 2 pennies.

start a thread- it helps when guys are searching for info
congrats on the new boat! looks like you got a good deal-ross-

 

[merc245]

make your floor cuts at a 45* angle and the new floor for theres support at the edges!

 

[Will30]

Congrats on the boat . The Trimates are very fun boats . I have a 76 Trimate II thats alot of fun . I also had to do floor work but only part of it was replaced . If you have ?s your in the right place

 

[checkmatejetmate]

i bought a 1978 checkmate jetmateII last year almost 2 the point of taking it 2 the lake.I took it out last year and blew it up put a new bbf 460 in it and new candy blue and pearl white paint...working on them sucks but well worth it in the end..

 

[justincase]

welcome, nice looking ride

 

[checkmatejetmate]

thanks....cant wait to see updated pics on this trimate though

 

[Audiguy]

I will have new pictures up tomorrow afternoon.

I have the new runner installed and floor in.

I am doing a 2ft section in the rear so i can pour the new foam back in.


But its 85-90% done.



Found a small spot in the hull bottom today but nothing big that i can't fix,its not a rip but rather a deep rub from the trailer.


So the bottom will be attended to.

Some areas will be rosined with maybe some kitty hair,then gel coat and touch up paint.

Sounds like allot but perks of being a body shop owner.

 

[Reed]

I will have new pictures up tomorrow afternoon.

I have the new runner installed and floor in.

I am doing a 2ft section in the rear so i can pour the new foam back in.


But its 85-90% done.



Found a small spot in the hull bottom today but nothing big that i can't fix,its not a rip but rather a deep rub from the trailer.


So the bottom will be attended to.

Some areas will be rosined with maybe some kitty hair,then gel coat and touch up paint.

Sounds like allot but perks of being a body shop owner.

Cool boat and a good find. Owning your own shop has it's advantages , and if you have any questions on info on your boat check out the Gallery for the yr and model of your rig and I bet Chris has info on it there...I think as you can tell we all have started like you with a project boat and built it into our~ ideal boat for us~, if you need any question answered just ask and anyone of us will be glad to help.