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What did i get myself into?

T

tweeter225

Member
Hello, i'm a new Checkmate owner that might have got too far into a bad project, i bought an 1985 Checkmate Enforcer off of ebay, the P/O said the boat got swamped in 2010 and most of the interior got damaged or floated away. i picked it up for 1475.00 and brought it home. it fired right up and only a few things didn't work. i stuck a new battery and trim solenoids along with a new alternator. it has a few scratches on the sides from rubbing up on a wave runner lift, and a couple spots where it is down to the fiberglass. very repairable with some work. but the floor has a few weak spots in it and it's got me worried that the balsa wood is toast under the floor. any words of wisdom from anyone is welcome!

Thanks,
Tweeter225
Michigan
 
Welcome to the forum!!! I agree with Badbk your floor and stringers are probably shot, might as well check the transom while you got it apart. I've done the floor, stringer and transom replacement on my Enforcer, it's in the restoration forum. Good luck!!:thumb:
 
I would not put anymore money into it. For the price of 1475 bucks you lucky it even ran. I would never of bought a sunken boat. Just use it and dont worry about the floor. The best thing is keep it jacked up in the air inside at all times when not being used. Maybe it will dry out some.
 
yup the black one in PA, That was a trip from hell to go pick it up! the PO didn't tell me the trailer's lights didn't work and the only parts store close by was closed, ended up driving 25 miles to a wal mart and running new wires and lights in the parking lot! lol
 
Big Red said:
I would not put anymore money into it. For the price of 1475 bucks you lucky it even ran. I would never of bought a sunken boat. Just use it and dont worry about the floor. The best thing is keep it jacked up in the air inside at all times when not being used. Maybe it will dry out some.
Click to expand...

I don't mind putting some money back into it, and i got all the time in the world to do the repairs. the line of work i'm in the winters get really slow and i always need a project or two to keep me from going stir crazy, lol
 
You can see some of the damage on the side, plus the wind shield is busted out on one half of it. but most of the frame is good, i think i can bang most of that out and reuse it.


IMG-20120904-00015.jpg

IMG-20120904-00017.jpg


a better look at the scaring. only a few little spots where it is thru the gel coat.
IMG-20120904-00018.jpg


Mostly surface scratches
IMG-20120904-00021.jpg


This side of the boat is in Better condition. just needs a good wet sand and hit it with the polisher.
IMG-20120904-00023.jpgAlready

started the repair work, lol the hatch cover got ripped off, thank god they recovered it from the lake! IMG-20120904-00024.jpg


Glad i have an industrial sewing machine and years of experience doing custom jobs like this. hardest part is choosing the colors i want to go with!
 
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Looks like a project. :welcome: Good luck on the build. Keep us up to date. Pictures are a must on this sight! ;)
 
Right now i am just fixing the odds and ends, put a new alternator in yesterday, started working on the engine hatch and fixing the holes where the hinges got ripped out. just making sure everything work right before i really tear into it. i got new plexiglass ordered and on its way. just have to fix the framework and get new seals for it. once that is done it will be time to start gutting it and replacing anything that can go bad. it's going to be a long winter! lol
 
tweeter225 said:
Right now i am just fixing the odds and ends, put a new alternator in yesterday, started working on the engine hatch and fixing the holes where the hinges got ripped out. just making sure everything work right before i really tear into it. i got new plexiglass ordered and on its way. just have to fix the framework and get new seals for it. once that is done it will be time to start gutting it and replacing anything that can go bad. it's going to be a long winter! lol
Click to expand...
Looks like it needs a lot of work but that boat has great colors and a ton of potential.
Good luck and keep us in the loop!
 
Well it's been a long (and Cold) winter. but i'm making progress. got the new glass in and started getting most of the automotive clear coat off the top cap. that has been more work than anything. went and bought marine vinyl and started getting it cut down for the new seat covers. even had the wife out helping me, which is rare due to she hates the fact i spent time on the boat and not her, lol. pics below of all i have done so far,
IMG-20130309-00060.jpg

IMG-20130309-00061.jpg

IMG-20130309-00062.jpg

Deerfield-20130331-00107.jpg

Deerfield-20130331-00108.jpg
 
IMG-20130418-00127.jpgGot the new foam for the engine hatch cover today, got it installed, i think it's starting to look like a boat again!!! woohoo, now if only summer would get her faster and all this rain would stop!
IMG-20130418-00127.jpg.html

IMG-20130418-00127.jpg
IMG-20130418-00127.jpg.html
 
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