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What upgrades/maintenance have you done this winter?

linn

Active member
Since the forum is slow and to give us all something thing to talk about. What upgrades and maintenance have you done or are you planning to do this spring to your Checkmate?

With that said, I guess I should be first to start. Since my boat is locked away in storage until April 1st, all I've done is slowly start to accumulate parts. Here is my list of parts sitting in my garage waiting to be installed.

Full MSD marine ignition
Lightning Headers
Hydraulic hatch actuator
Roller for the winch on my trailer
Blower crossover
Drive shower

I'm still in the process of sourcing a blower and carb setup and then it's time to work on the stereo system.

Spring can't come soon enough. :surf:
 
Nothing yet, but the boat comes off the trailer this week, trailer is getting blasted and painted to match the boat. Wheels are getting blasted and powder coated black. Then the new drives have to go on, then playing with spacers and boxes and props. Also have a really nice set of controls I bought last year that need to go in. My spring will be busy!
 
New shifter, Buff and polish and more buffing. Big thing is to see WHY rear cylinder filled up with water when sitting ( new motor ) . I think exhaust manifold is cracked. Marine mech told me to look at that. I drained it and winterized all cyl's. :mad:
 
This time of year in MN makes me wish I had kept the boat in the shop so I could work on it. Waiting for clean roads to pull it out of storage. Not a whole lot planned for upgrades this season. I'll pull the windshield to replace the crumbling gasket and screw cover foam, shine the hull a bit, pull the fuel injectors for cleaning/calibrating, install Chris Carson Reeds and replace the water pump.
 
Whatever it takes to beat a 253 Convincor with a 502 and these mods:
Full MSD marine ignition
Lightning Headers
Hydraulic hatch actuator
Roller for the winch on my trailer
Blower crossover
Drive shower


:poke:

:cheers:


I'm also thinking about upgrading all my gauges and adding both a trim tab indicator and wideband gauge.


Has anyone purchased one of these, I hate that my drive tab button is on the dash?

http://www.danamarineproducts.com/G...=3f645c7-a54828e8-c7ff-4d47-85ba-a49057824176
 
:cheers:


I'm also thinking about upgrading all my gauges and adding both a trim tab indicator and wideband gauge.


Has anyone purchased one of these, I hate that my drive tab button is on the dash?

http://www.danamarineproducts.com/G...=3f645c7-a54828e8-c7ff-4d47-85ba-a49057824176

I havent bought one but have quite a bit of time running a 95 American Offshore with that setup. It is comfortable and works well! But after 15 years or so the switch is very sticky and if your not paying attention you can trim it to the moon! Not such a good idea at 90 mph!!
 
Engine rebuild w/head & manifold swap {basic rebuild, nothing extraordinary}
Clean/neaten up engine compartment including rewiring and battery relocation and adding stowage box.
Rebuild and reglass fuel tank box.
Complete new transom assembly.
Complete new steering.
Drive rebuild and custom paint.
Minor bow alteration {nav lite relocation}
Install new underwater LED's on stern {red blaze}

Actually this is more than a winter project for me, my plan is to not even try to get it in the water in 2014 but rather the spring of 2015 in my new living/boating/biking location NC.

Most of the items are already in the works, -- I'm just about finished with the drive :drool:
Saving pictures for my redo thread :D
 
Great thread

The pick-up port for my speedometer is plugged. Been meaning to blow it out to see if that is the problem. I'm also thinking about replacing the stock stereo system with something better. MP3/CD player vice radio and cassette.

CASSETTE?? Who has cassettes anymore? :confused:

:shakehead:
 
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