![]() The 1995 Checkmate Convincer cruises in the 50s MPH and can get up to over 70mph. On the dyno, Extension box with a bravo One drive!Īre you looking for a boat that will get you noticed with style and speed? The engine has approximately 60 hours on it since the upgrade of the engine which now produces 725 dyno measured horsepower.Ģ8' Convincer with a 548 big block, 725 HP. All systems function as they should as per the seller. The boat is stored in a barn and is cleaned after every use. Last edited by mjw930 11-03-2019 at 09:10 AM.The boat is in expected condition for its age or better. They always stayed true to their core performance roots and never skimped on quality to boost profits, something he believed could not be said about a lot of boat builders of that era. In his opinion the quality of the product and the integrity of the family running the company were second to none in the industry. I was shocked, I’d always considered then lake boats but he “schooled” me. Anyway, when I asked the simple question, if for whatever reason I didn’t want a Velocity what would he consider to be my best option he didn’t hesitate, Checkmate was his immediate response. That doesn’t translate well when people wanted fancy paint jobs and plush interiors. On one occasion we were talking about the recreational market, one he understood was critical to his continued success but one he was challenged by since his core attitude was, “If it didn’t make the boat faster why do it”. ![]() We talked a lot about the competition and Steve being the brash competitor rarely had good things to say about most of them. I spent a lot of time with Steve Stepp learning about offshore boats and racing in general. Every weekend over the summer she was pregnant with me they used to be up on “the lake” (Lake Erie) fishing so the unique feeling of being in a 16’ boat on a lake as unpredictable as Erie was imprinted on me before I was even born.įast forward 40 years, in the late ‘90’s I was focussed on offshore performance boats. My mother used to say the reason I’ve always been drawn to the water and boats in general can be traced back to that boat. Bill used that boat to learn and gladly replaced it with a production version that my mom and dad used for years. The boat was a bit of a disaster as it had some significant structural issues (they were just learning now to build them). This was before he formally launched Checkmate and was running his dealership / marine repair business. My family comes from that part of Ohio and back in the 50’s my dad purchased one of the first all fiberglass boats Bill built. Put a 450 on it and it should be a low to mid 80s rig that will keep your attention and scare a few passengers. I was ready to buy it from him at the shootout this year and he decided that it wasn't time yet. Its the only toon besides Brad Roland's that carries itself like a cat and holds air. If you are serious about a tri-toon, let me know and I will connect you with Jim Dorris "Play Craft"-his son has a very special 26 with a single 400 running 76 mph with no hop. Sad day for Checkmate, but Hydrostream went away as well. I have a 28 Skater and 1939 Chris Craft barrelback parked on my dock and am seriously considering a Tritoon - crazy how things have changed - my girlfriend thinks I’m too young for a tritoon ( sell the Skater ) but I’m not so sure - lolģ5 years ago, a Checkmate or Larson “Wildfire” w / a 115 Merc “Tower of Power” was the ultimate - now I’m eyeing up Bennington Q series Tritoon’s are everywhere as are wake boats. Hydrostreams, Allison’s, and STV’s are long gone, as are Baja’s, Fountains, and Formula’s. You took the words out of my mouth and my thoughts exactly - I’ve boated on the same ~ 12,000 acre chain of lakes ( the “Whitefish Chain” ) for the past twenty years ( I’m 46 ). Really sad to see this happen but in business today, you either change with the market demand or die. If I was forced to have one boat, it would be a tri-toon with the biggest power I could afford. I agree, its toons and or center consoles into today's world and I also completely understand it.
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