Super Find Needs Motor

[Firebolt420]

I found this boat near me that needs an outboard and controls, it is a 1974 Checkmate in beautiful shape. I so happen to have just discovered/decided that the 1987 Procraft that was given to me will not be getting restored because it is too far gone. This means that I have the 115 merc off of that. My question is what am I getting myself into? What is the proper way to put this motor on the Checkmate? The original outboard on it was another merc and I believe he said it was a 115.

 

[Firebolt420]

Re: Super Find Needs Motor

The OB that I have is oil injected so i know I'll have to locate the oil tank and the rest of my issues will be the controls I would need and the best recommended cables for control and I would replace the steering cable. Everything else would just be on an as needed basis. the story behind this is that the owner has had this boat since new and had just gotten a 78 carlson and used the OB from this and lost interest in the Checkmate. I know this may be a silly question, but I just want to make sure I do this right.

Thanks in advance.

More pics.

 

[Chris1956]

Re: Super Find Needs Motor

looks like the orig motor was a Merc IL6 with PTT. A 115HP motor will work pretty well on that rig. Plug the transom holes and drill new ones, and have some fun....

 

[metriccrescentwrench]

Re: Super Find Needs Motor

Nice boat. Checkmates are great, I love that classic styling. There aren't a lot of boatbuilders who started out in the '60's and are still in business.

Check the transom real well for any signs of water intrusion or rot. Not that there's anything wrong with Checkmates (in fact Checkmates from that era were better built than most other boats), but any boat that's over 30 years old has had plenty of opportunity for neglect.

And if you have any Checkmate specific questions someone over at Checkmate-Boats.com should be able to help out. Oh, once you get her going show a Baja or 2 what the a@$ end of a Checkmate looks like .