Just bought a '76 Checkmate Trimate... what to look for?

[Barnt]

I just verbally bought a 1976 Checkmate Trimate (havn't handed him the cash yet) for $1900. I looked at the boat in the dark with a flashlight and i'd rate it in moderate shape, but I wasn't going to write the check until see it in the daylight and I run it in the water when the ice melts. Floor is soft in one spot and the gel coat is in pretty bad shape on the top where the sun hits it. Bottom of hull looked good. Has a 200hp Johnson on the back which he says was professionally rebuilt in 2002 and runs good. Trim and tilt works. No bilge pump or nav lights. And for some reason he says a buzzer goes off when the motor is put into reverse; probably just some electrical contact randomly completing the circuit but I'm not sure.

Now I've been in and around boats all my life, but I'm not familiar with any sort of restoration. The only work i've done is routine maintainence and installing locators, batteries, ski poles, etc.

So my questions: Anything in particular to look for in this model?
Anything I should really look into and scrutinize?
What's all involved to paint or re gel coat the top to make it look a little better?
How hard will the floor be to replace?
How hard will it be to install/wire a bilge pump?

I'm not looking at making this boat showroom quality, but make it so it will look somewhat respectable.

Any suggestions would be MUCH appreciated. Thanks!

 

[Bob_VT]

Re: Just bought a '76 Checkmate Trimate... what to look for?

Hmmmmmm seems like you need to investigate further.

Welcome to iboats!

Here is a fairly detailed Checkmate restoration thread http://forums.iboats.com/showthread.php?t=325296&highlight=Checkmate and we have many more.

Investigating a soft spot in the deck may lead to some real work. Decks rot from the bottom up and they tend to hide tons of rot.

 

[F14CRAZY]

Re: Just bought a '76 Checkmate Trimate... what to look for?

I dunno...$1900 for a '76 bowrider with a soft floor seems a bit high...

 

[muddy1]

Re: Just bought a '76 Checkmate Trimate... what to look for?

hi
i just bought the same boat today. lol you must have changed your mind. motor runs good and the compression was the same on all cylinders. had a reciept for 2096.00 for the rebuild. it does have lights and bulge pump just not pluged in. should be a fun summer.

 

[tinkeringwackyone]

Re: Just bought a '76 Checkmate Trimate... what to look for?

defintely get a good look, soft floor could mean stringers and or transom as well Its all fixable, as far as the top, using a good buffing compound could clean that up, but check out the stuctural part of the boat first.
BTW, welcome to Iboats.. a whole lot of information is at your fingertips. sail on tink

 

[muddy1]

Re: Just bought a '76 Checkmate Trimate... what to look for?

i worked on it today. floor is solid but one small (maybe 12x12 inch spot not real soft but noticeable) spot by the back seat by the ski ladder. the guy who had it did alot of sking.
the transom looks like new inside and out, not even spider cracks in the paint on the transom or anywhere! thats the first thing i looked at being its 30+ years old with a 200 johnson on it.
iam going to try buffing tomarrow and see what it looks like. i might have my friend redo the clear coat?