Any Experience With Older 16-20? Baja or Checkmate Style Boats?

[mgmidget72]

Hi All,

I?m starting to look for my first boat and several older (80?s) Baja and Checkmate boats have caught my eye. I like their sleek look, low weight, and high power. Other than this, however, I don?t know anything about these brands. What is the general opinion of them? Do they hold up well? Do they perform well? Is there anything similar to consider?

The other option I?m looking at is the Sea Ray or Four Winns style. Brand aside, what differences might I notice in general use or performance between these styles?

This is roughly what I?m looking for:
- mainly for skiing and just general recreation
- will be used and stored in salt water during the summer, trailer for the winter
- >90hp
- outboard is a must due to where I will be keeping the boat
- 16-20?
- < 2000lb due to towing limits
- < $4k, maybe up to $5k

Thanks for any input.

-Scott

 

[Fl_Richard]

Re: Any Experience With Older 16-20? Baja or Checkmate Style Boats?

I had a 16 foot red flake Checkmate in the early 80's.. I think the hull was a 78...

Nice boat Merc Tower of power, racing bottom and a cleaver prop, hydraulic jack plate. What a boat! 10 minutes from Ft.Lauderdale to Boca Raton!

 

[robert graham]

Re: Any Experience With Older 16-20? Baja or Checkmate Style Boats?

I had a mid 80's Checkmate 16' with a 115 Yamaha on it and I loved it, had a deep V hull, high quality throughout, great for skiing, racing, smooth ride, just a "sports-car" like boat, ran about 60MPH trimmed up, great boat to get killed in! Many times I've wished I still had it, but have moved on to more functional, practical boats. Go for it! Good Luck!

 

[mgmidget72]

Re: Any Experience With Older 16-20? Baja or Checkmate Style Boats?

How would they compare to a typical Sea Ray or Four Winns bowrider? The Sea Ray or Four Winns bowrider style seems somehow more sturdy or substantial, but that observation is just from pictures.

This question came up because I had been casually keeping an eye out for an older Baja or Checkmate type, but I just came across a 17' Sea Ray bowrider outboard. What would I be giving up going with the Sea Ray over a Baja/Checkmate? What would I gain?

Thanks,
Scott

 

[robert graham]

Re: Any Experience With Older 16-20? Baja or Checkmate Style Boats?

Checkmates/Baja's are more sporty, performance related, sit low in the water, less practical, more flashy. I've noticed that the demand for these older "hot-rod" type boats seems a bit weaker and therefore you can pick one up at a good price. It all depends on what you're going to do with it. If you just want to race up and down the river, skiing, partying, having fun, then the Checkmate is the way to go. A guy might look a bit foolish fishing or crabing out of one of these. I'd love about a 28' Fountain with a big motor, but can't justify the price or the fuel required to run it. My present boat is an 18' jon boat with a 90HP Yamaha, all practical, no flash! We use it for camping, fishing, cruising, picnicing, etc.,rarely get over 30MPH. Old age, I guess!

 

[26aftcab454]

Re: Any Experience With Older 16-20? Baja or Checkmate Style Boats?

my brother owns a 1970s 16ft Baja Bass boat will a old Merc 115 hp inline 6 "tower of power". paid like $2,000 but needed lots of work.
he replace the floors/ stringers and built a front casting deck. it has twin consols with bench seat .
The motor has 2 power packs needing replaced but when it was running it would go 55-60mph.
it rode well- sporty and was a blast. other than not currently running the only thing I don't like about it is that it is painted turd brown.

if you find one you like go for it!