1972 Checkmate MX-15 Rebuild

[zool]

Ok gang, I wanna start laying out some of this build here, since I started messing with it already. Given that this is my 3rd current thread, I'll prolly be bouncing around as supplies and time permits.

The initial parts of these progress reports have already taken place, so im catching up this thread to the completed work. Also, some of the pics are redundant from my other thread, but ill just start from the beginning here.

Long story short, I stayed at a house in Ship Bottom NJ over Labor Day week. In the yard was an old ski boat, and the owner said if I can get it out, I can have it....So I towed it home after days of scrambling and creative jockeying.

The title says its a checkmate, 1972, and 16'...from measurments taken, and pics on the net, it appears to be an MX-15. It had a Chrysler 105 hp circa 1980's 82-83 i think.

This is how I found it.

View attachment y4mc8yNSprMLvep_yLe5_cQ_W8fRM3pucOeYI1btHi7iyhFxpqDddMO0-oIDMtKqwucoXCxyFX00IxfCLvpmLcn22Bx_abpqNTs4

 

[zool]

Based on my initial assessment, its needs a transom replacement. There really isnt much as far as stringers and bulkheads go, just two small stingers along the chines, and a battery compartment...at least as far as I know. This boat was redone before, cuz the cap was removed already before, and the fuel tank is now in the bow. Im gonna put it back together the best i can and maybe beef it up a bit.

 

[djrowe007]

cool dude but the picture link if that's what it is was not working for me on microsoft edge.

 

[zool]

Alot of original hardware

 

[zool]

Here she is in its shop space.

 

[zool]

This seems to be the extent of the stringers....I feel so lucky lol

The tank in the bow may or may not stay, taking advice on that one.

 

[djrowe007]

Nice small boat to play with! Did it come with a window?

 

[zool]

It came with a twisted and cracked windshield, but not the original, looks like an early 60's runabout windshield, These could be ordered with or without a windshield, but they look much better with one....Im trying to locate at least an original frame.

 

[zool]

So far the motor seems to be locked up, I put Marvels MO in the cylinders and soaked for a week, put an impact on the flywheel nut and still nothing. Gonna try a few more weeks, then maybe pull the lower unit and see if that helps.

 

[djrowe007]

Fill her up good, impact isn't always the best way to crack her free. Fill that sucker up with penetrating oils good. Those bearings would love a bath

 

[djrowe007]

I can see it now "The windowless water bomber". Got to get wet sometimes

 

[zool]

So besides removing some hardware and the rubrail, im up to current updates. This is todays progress.

After all the rivets were removed, I went to cut along the splashwell, but noticed it was already separated from either transom flex or prior cap removal, or both.

I also noticed it wouldnt come apart, turns out they bedded the splashwell in a cement/concrete substance....Im guessing that was to strengthen the rotted transom instead of replacing it...made life hell chipping it out, ended up using a bottle jack and board under the splashwell to pop it free.

 

[zool]

The transom is mush, except for some crumbling crete

 

[zool]

So it turn out those short pieces of wood were not the stringers, they appear to be the attaching points for the original back to back seats it came with originally.

There is a center stringer under a narrow deck board along the center line, so ill have to tear that up next.

 

[sphelps]

This one is gunna be fun to watch come together !! Makes me want to get started on my ski boat project in waiting ...

 

[zool]

When you get that done Sam, we'll have to race....

Theres basically one bulkhead up be the helm, and some foam in the bow. I removed the bow tank and am gonna put it back under the splashwell.

 

[kcassells]

Well those pics sure are a lotlotlot clearer. Tough reach from a wheelchair!:faint2: Got a nurse helper? How do YOU do it?
That is such a really cool project. Bet you blow right thru it.

 

[zool]

Well those pics sure are a lotlotlot clearer. Tough reach from a wheelchair!:faint2: Got a nurse helper? How do YOU do it?
That is such a really cool project. Bet you blow right thru it.

Its really not a problem, AARP sent me a free case of Depends, so i can work all day without a break!:crutch:

 

[archbuilder]

Looks like you are moving along. The boat is really similar to Miss Morgan, pretty much the same size. I put my tank in the back, the only thing bad about that is it isn't as big as I would like. I have thought about putting an auxiliary tank up front.....but I suppose I should finish Fuggly before I start something else! Nice work so far!

 

[zool]

Hey Arch, Someone put the tank up front on this, kinda rigged it with a fill offset on the bow,and classed in a now rusted steel beam to hold it, but im not sure how it will handle with that weight sloshing around up there, they still left a fill next to the splashwell so im gonna rig it on a shelf back there, and thinking up putting the battery in the bow, centered. It looks like an 18 gal, which should be ok. You can see the clear coat all degrading on the bow from spilsl.

The motor is still locked up, so im not sure on the power yet, I want to get it up a stand and pull the lower off and see if that frees it.

How is Fugly? I havnt got to searching my old reads yet