Don't let known issues deter you from buying a checkmate. I agree with Mat it's start to get a Checkmate. All JT and I are doing is telling you the potential problems that happens with the older models. Just take a look at the restoration thread, there's lots of rebuilds in that forum. That doesn't mean all are like that, lots of members on here have found older quality boats with very little problems.
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Potential Checkmate owner
- Thread starter MonteC
- Start date
JT Patroni
Well-known member
Robbie is correct, I didn't mean to scare the crap out of you. I just wanted to give you info to look for when you go to see the boat.
merc245
Well-known member
Your not buying a newer boat. It looks nice for its age. If you like or want to do a complete overhaul thats a good starting point. Let me tell you, theres not a starflite more beat on or beat up then mine. If someone wants to restore it when I'm done great. But until then I'll just continue to use it up, with confedence it not going to come a part on me. I say buy it for a fair price and enjoy! 
Wrenchmate
Active member
Hey Monte, I know you have boat fever but theirs a bunch of Checks
for sale this time of yr. Seen this one listed at end of last season, might
still be there. probably to far to drive, but close to your price range,
ya never know.
http://www.powerboatlistings.com/view/17618
for sale this time of yr. Seen this one listed at end of last season, might
still be there. probably to far to drive, but close to your price range,
ya never know.
http://www.powerboatlistings.com/view/17618
Really just want to get out on the water and have some fun. If I need to redo the interior a little and even a floor repair im ok with that. A full resto is not what I want to do right now. Maybe if I bought the boat and got 5 years out of it, then resto'd i would be ok with that.
A couple of you guys just freaked me out, im sitting here thinking that the boat is going to split in half the first time I take it out! In reality I guess most all 20 year old boats probably need hull work but are still serviceable.
But as I said if I can get 5 seaons of service out of the hull then id be ok with doing a quick project over the winter.
A couple of you guys just freaked me out, im sitting here thinking that the boat is going to split in half the first time I take it out! In reality I guess most all 20 year old boats probably need hull work but are still serviceable.
But as I said if I can get 5 seaons of service out of the hull then id be ok with doing a quick project over the winter.
jmshipp
Member
Yeah I guess we did kind of pile on and I can see why you would be scared... LOL!
The Starliner is a fairly rare hull. So if you like it, grab it! They ride great and provide just enough performance to keep most people happy. Not the fastest Checkmate out there but it is one of the best looking!
If you are checking around in the bilge there is no perfect way to tell without drilling holes. I have a feeling the current owner might take issue when you break out a hole saw to inspect his boat. So, what I would do, is take the battery out of the tray to see if the tray moves or if the screws holding down look like they are pulling out. If there is an oil tank, do the same. Another sign would be to look in the ski locker, after pulling the carpet back slightly, and see if the stringers feel soft or spongy. And of course just push on the floor all around behind the back seat to see if it is soft. The fiberglass build up on the knees and transom is pretty thick. But if there is some major rot, like boat breaking in half kind of rot, you should still be able to tell by applying some pressure and feeling it flex. If it is solid, you will feel like you are pushing on concrete. Tapping with the handle of screwdriver can sometimes help as well. If it sounds hollow, it just might be.
Robbie (cmpulse170) has a few of these under his belt. I think he has the bug worse than just about anyone on the site. If the two of you can connect, you will have one of the best resources on the site to help in case it does need some work down the road.
I looked for over a year before I found the one I bought. All of them needed some type of work. To everyone elses point, these are older boats but hold up very well when compared to others. Even when you find a really nice one, there are still going to be some issues just due to age. But pay a price you feel comfortable with, enjoy it, and spend some time educating yourself with JTPatroni's and some of the other Starliner/flite threads in the resto section.
OH YEAH... should go without saying, but be SURE to put it in the water to see how it runs.
GOOD LUCK!
- Mike
The Starliner is a fairly rare hull. So if you like it, grab it! They ride great and provide just enough performance to keep most people happy. Not the fastest Checkmate out there but it is one of the best looking!
If you are checking around in the bilge there is no perfect way to tell without drilling holes. I have a feeling the current owner might take issue when you break out a hole saw to inspect his boat. So, what I would do, is take the battery out of the tray to see if the tray moves or if the screws holding down look like they are pulling out. If there is an oil tank, do the same. Another sign would be to look in the ski locker, after pulling the carpet back slightly, and see if the stringers feel soft or spongy. And of course just push on the floor all around behind the back seat to see if it is soft. The fiberglass build up on the knees and transom is pretty thick. But if there is some major rot, like boat breaking in half kind of rot, you should still be able to tell by applying some pressure and feeling it flex. If it is solid, you will feel like you are pushing on concrete. Tapping with the handle of screwdriver can sometimes help as well. If it sounds hollow, it just might be.
Robbie (cmpulse170) has a few of these under his belt. I think he has the bug worse than just about anyone on the site. If the two of you can connect, you will have one of the best resources on the site to help in case it does need some work down the road.
I looked for over a year before I found the one I bought. All of them needed some type of work. To everyone elses point, these are older boats but hold up very well when compared to others. Even when you find a really nice one, there are still going to be some issues just due to age. But pay a price you feel comfortable with, enjoy it, and spend some time educating yourself with JTPatroni's and some of the other Starliner/flite threads in the resto section.
OH YEAH... should go without saying, but be SURE to put it in the water to see how it runs.
GOOD LUCK!
- Mike
Some are better than others at self inspection. Personally, I had no clue what I was looking for when I bought my 251 last year. I had a surveyor come inspect the boat. Wasn't cheap....$400-$600 if I recall correctly, but money well spent in my opinion and piece of mind.
Matts94z28
Active member
If it makes you feel any better I have a hole in the corner of where the rear seat sits. I can stick a screw driver right through it. It is about 6in x3in in size.
I also found that they never sealed the holes where the tank had been taken out and reinstalled a few times. Also saw where they didn't seal the holes when replacing the bilge pump. I doubt my core is dry, but I don't let it keep me from having fun!
I would like to replace the rear section of the floor at some point, but I know if I cut into it I will probably want to do the core too. One of those "When I get time time deals".
We should just drop our boats off with Robbie and let him have at it!
I also found that they never sealed the holes where the tank had been taken out and reinstalled a few times. Also saw where they didn't seal the holes when replacing the bilge pump. I doubt my core is dry, but I don't let it keep me from having fun!
I would like to replace the rear section of the floor at some point, but I know if I cut into it I will probably want to do the core too. One of those "When I get time time deals".
We should just drop our boats off with Robbie and let him have at it!
That brought the price down some more, five years older than the ad said!!
Offer $3000.00 cash.
Plus from the ad he said that it's a rare boat and you don't see many open bow Starliners. Let him know that all the Starliners are bow riders with seats the sister boat Starflite is closed bow.
1995 Checkmate Starliner Open Bow. Seats 8 or 9. 1995 225 HP Yamaha outboard, runs strong. Aluminum EZLoader Trailer. Tournament style ski pylon attached to hull. 1500 watt AudioPipe stereo with Polk Audio and Pioneer speakers. Seperate battery for stereo. Jack plate. Laser II SS Prop. Bimini top. New carpet last year. This is a rare boat, as you do not see many Starliner Open Bows with seating. Boat comes with skis, one person towable, 3 person towable (Hot Dog), wakeboard, ski ropes, towable ropes, anchors w/ropes, fenders, everything you will need for a family weekend on the water. Captains chairs are in good shape, vinyl will soon need replacement on bow seats. Tilt trim works well (dual rod). Pulls multiple skiers/tubers effortlessly! Awesome ski/tubing/cruising boat! Extra CPU for the Yamaha 225 included.
Good point!! Didn't catch that one!