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ZT 218
- Thread starter Cushman
- Start date
ZT218
With gas prices getting lower by the day, I'm taking advantage of the prices to put stabilized Premium in the tank for next summer. Why not? I would rather pay $3/gal or less to fill the 40 gal tank now than pay $4+ next summer. Plus the gas in the waverunner (for the Mrs.). Got to love the prices today.
Matt
With gas prices getting lower by the day, I'm taking advantage of the prices to put stabilized Premium in the tank for next summer. Why not? I would rather pay $3/gal or less to fill the 40 gal tank now than pay $4+ next summer. Plus the gas in the waverunner (for the Mrs.). Got to love the prices today.
Matt
ZT218
I left my boat tied to a buoy overnight on the lake and the wind picked up. It hopped up the buoy and walked itself to the shore. Over that night the outdrive skeg sanded itself clean in the sand and I ended up having to sand it smooth and repaint it with Mercury Gloss Black, which turned out pretty good. It has lasted several years so far. The other thing I wanted to say is that I see a lot of exhaust tips on boats in mostly straight configurations. But I'm rather partial to the down-spouted types.
I left my boat tied to a buoy overnight on the lake and the wind picked up. It hopped up the buoy and walked itself to the shore. Over that night the outdrive skeg sanded itself clean in the sand and I ended up having to sand it smooth and repaint it with Mercury Gloss Black, which turned out pretty good. It has lasted several years so far. The other thing I wanted to say is that I see a lot of exhaust tips on boats in mostly straight configurations. But I'm rather partial to the down-spouted types.
The boat is a 2004. There is an example of the color scheme on
http://checkmate-boats.com/photopost/showphoto.php/photo/347/title/2005-3/cat/525
ZT special graphics.
I still have the brochure.
As for the difference between 230's and 218's:
Although I haven't been in a 230, I can say that the extra length up front may make a difference in how it performs with a full tank.
My ZT218, when towing skiers or tubers and having two people lugs in the back end on start out of the hole. Makes trimming interesting. Usually full down until it levels out. Then a gradual up trim as speed increases. Slightly below midway is optimum when the tank is full. It runs good if I have two ladies (partially clad is best *wink*) up front to offset the weight when towing something behind. So, I try to keep it 1/2 to 2/3's full to keep the front end down. Not a big deal really as I can run all weekend on 20 gal's of gas. It just sits better that way. However, if I just run for speed the same considerations apply, only less. At half to 1/3 tank I get about 70+MPH out of it properly trimmed.
On the opposite side of the card, the extra length adds extra considerations when trailering/towing, putting it in a garage, or extra weight on the tow vehicle. My take.
Matt.
http://checkmate-boats.com/photopost/showphoto.php/photo/347/title/2005-3/cat/525
ZT special graphics.
I still have the brochure.
As for the difference between 230's and 218's:
Although I haven't been in a 230, I can say that the extra length up front may make a difference in how it performs with a full tank.
My ZT218, when towing skiers or tubers and having two people lugs in the back end on start out of the hole. Makes trimming interesting. Usually full down until it levels out. Then a gradual up trim as speed increases. Slightly below midway is optimum when the tank is full. It runs good if I have two ladies (partially clad is best *wink*) up front to offset the weight when towing something behind. So, I try to keep it 1/2 to 2/3's full to keep the front end down. Not a big deal really as I can run all weekend on 20 gal's of gas. It just sits better that way. However, if I just run for speed the same considerations apply, only less. At half to 1/3 tank I get about 70+MPH out of it properly trimmed.
On the opposite side of the card, the extra length adds extra considerations when trailering/towing, putting it in a garage, or extra weight on the tow vehicle. My take.
Matt.
ZT218
http://i60.photobucket.com/albums/h38/kestrelman/ZT 18/MateManuals_zps04e5e830.jpg
When I bought this boat it came with all these manuals. I don't see many posts showing these.
Matt
http://i60.photobucket.com/albums/h38/kestrelman/ZT 18/MateManuals_zps04e5e830.jpg
When I bought this boat it came with all these manuals. I don't see many posts showing these.
Matt
ZT218
Here's a trick! When I first bought my Check, the sun glare from the window frames were terrible. Anytime I turned where the sun was at a certain angle I couldn't see even with sunglasses. My solution? Super 88 tape. You can get any color to match your boat. For me it was easy as black was available readily and it looked natural. I carefully layed it symmetrically along the edge, scraped out the bubbles in it with a credit card and tucked/cut the edges in at the ends with the card. It has weathered out the years, never faded, lifted, and stopped the glare. AND it matches the boat colors perfectly!!
Matt.
[/URL][/IMG]
Here's a trick! When I first bought my Check, the sun glare from the window frames were terrible. Anytime I turned where the sun was at a certain angle I couldn't see even with sunglasses. My solution? Super 88 tape. You can get any color to match your boat. For me it was easy as black was available readily and it looked natural. I carefully layed it symmetrically along the edge, scraped out the bubbles in it with a credit card and tucked/cut the edges in at the ends with the card. It has weathered out the years, never faded, lifted, and stopped the glare. AND it matches the boat colors perfectly!!
Matt.
Last edited:
ZT218
As I sit here reading the threads about "What boat is better, Baja or Check" or threads about retrofitting a Check with a bigger engine, my preference is this:
I'll keep my Check in original condition and looking it's best. Although I like the reno's and engine upgrades, I see the price's on Barret Jackson for original OEM's (in the car field) skyrocket when vehicles become rarer. More the better for me, I'm thinking.
As I sit here reading the threads about "What boat is better, Baja or Check" or threads about retrofitting a Check with a bigger engine, my preference is this:
I'll keep my Check in original condition and looking it's best. Although I like the reno's and engine upgrades, I see the price's on Barret Jackson for original OEM's (in the car field) skyrocket when vehicles become rarer. More the better for me, I'm thinking.
Now that the memorial weekend is here I'm takin' my baby up to my lake house and goin' to have a bit of fun. 
See ya all on the shore. Keep the beer cold!!! 
ZT218
I was wondering and have a quick question. I had the boat serviced and winterized. Oil change, outdrive serviced, tune up (I don't think it needed it but what the hell) fuel stirred etc... But one thing I didn't think of and the service dept recommended was having the water pump impeller replaced. I only take this out on the same fresh water lake but was surprised to see a chink in the impeller. The intake ports in the outdrive are rather small. Is this something others have experienced. I'm glad I had it done but didn't expect it.
The other question I have (I'm lazy) is I have a Merc Mirage Plus 21" prop and have been hitting rev limit on it before WOT. So I'm thinking about finding a RH 23". Part number and price is what I have in mind.
Matt.
[/URL][/IMG]
I was wondering and have a quick question. I had the boat serviced and winterized. Oil change, outdrive serviced, tune up (I don't think it needed it but what the hell) fuel stirred etc... But one thing I didn't think of and the service dept recommended was having the water pump impeller replaced. I only take this out on the same fresh water lake but was surprised to see a chink in the impeller. The intake ports in the outdrive are rather small. Is this something others have experienced. I'm glad I had it done but didn't expect it.
The other question I have (I'm lazy) is I have a Merc Mirage Plus 21" prop and have been hitting rev limit on it before WOT. So I'm thinking about finding a RH 23". Part number and price is what I have in mind.
Matt.
