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thinking about buying a 79'

B

bluffma2

New member
Im thinking about buying a 1979 checkmate. I don't even know what model it is. I need to know some info about it please I ll post some pictures. What kind of stuff should i look for?

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Looks like a project. Does it run? I'm thinking that the purchase price should be very reasonable indeed. Do not trade any Southern Comfort for it. I must bring up the subject of transom tie downs once again, are they very expensive out toward the East Coast? Does the vessel have two anchor lights? I think it might be a good idea to very closely inspect the floor and hull for soundness...
 
yes it does run. the transom tie downs, are you just talking about the straps? I would definitely try to fix up the cosmetics, what model is it? what would you recommend paying for it?
 
Hi Bluff, You will be warned shortly that I can be sort of a character every once in a while. Don't listen to anything OG says. I have noticed that many vessels are held down to the trailer by all kinds of different types of stuff. If the vessel runs good and goes across the water then you are looking at the cosmetic stuff. There is something special about a Checkmate. Go to the Gallery section and look through the 1979 brochures. The cheaper the purchase price, the more budget you will have for paint and interior...
 
this will be my first boat and im only 20 years old, Im hoping to use this as a learning experience so is painting a boat like painting a car? And im looking at getting this on a trade for a dirtbike worth $700 and and ipad? do yall think that fair or am i getting the short end of a stick?
 
i went through the brochure and the closet one i could find to that was the 1979-15. still don't know what model...
 
do you have the length? It does look like a convincer. they seem like a rare model. outlaw23 has a nice 78 convincor. get in and walk around and fill for soft spots in the floor. also hit on transom to see if you can here any different in tone. I would say the dirt bike would be enought unless you just do not need the ipad. they are good boats but if they need to be redone it could get expensive.
 
Yes you can paint it like a car. With a Checkmate you can get some booty,with a dirt bike you can hurt your booty. Are you picking up what I'm puttin down. Just kidding around Bluff,looks like a good project for you but I'd keep the Ipad.Looks like a Trimate with an i/o but not sure on that. Welcome to the forum.
 
thanks for all the help! is there any one thing that if i run into it i should complete drop the trade. other than like the engine being junk? the guy said it was a diplomat?
 
Do you have a budget to put money into this or just plan on riding?
I wouldn't touch it unless you have money to put into it. Where is the boat located? Looks like it has sat in salt water.
 
its in Charlotte, NC about 4 hours away from salt water haha, do you say stay away from it for the cosmetic reasons or are you worried the mechanics could go out?
 
I believe that keith wants to make sure you are ready for the possibility of what it could cost if the boat needs alot of work. it could easily cost up to 5000 or more. or less. but if everythign is good just go enjoy it until you have to fix it.
 
The cosmetics you can see. Its what you cant see that worries me. Weve all seen plenty of boats like this. I can about quarentee theres rot in it and the way it looks is usally a good sign on how its been taken care of. If you can't take it for a spin at least run it on some muffs and do a compression test.

I'm starting to feel like my dad telling me when I was your age. lol I just dont want you to end up with a pos that you cant use or get rid of.
 
thats the exact thing my dad told me when i talked to him about it haha I may just tell the guy its just not worth it if i can't take it out. is there any place that rot could be hiding that i couldn't see or feel when i step on it?
 
Why cant you water test? Its plenty warm down there.
The transome could be rotted. The hull could be full of water. The stringers may be done. If you can get it out and running for $700, get as much tale as you can on it then who cares if it only lasts a year.:bigthumb:
 
hahaha I don't think there is a body of water close to where it is located, whats the best way to check for rot in the transom and water in the hull?
 
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