![]() 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. RIP Checkmate Boats and best wishes to those effected. What I’ve seen while there, made me nervous that this was coming. Why my current 25 Convincor project I’ve been to the plant several in the the last yr or so. I sold them in ‘89 and we had a 21’ Starliner O/B w/a 300 xp w/power steering that I thought was the ultimate boat. He had a stock lay up 25’ Convincor running 126 20 yrs ago! In terms of performance, Harold Kunkel was a dealer forever and The Godfather of speed. When the unknowing bashed them, I always defended them. The era of inline 150’s on 16’s and 17’s and the 25 Convincors and a 28 w/triple Mercs., just couldn’t imagine it getting any better. My dad would slow down so I could get my fix. In the good days, there was always a transporter full of new boats waiting on delivery. I grew up passing the Checkmate every weekend in the back of my dads Buick in the way to our cruiser on Lake Erie. 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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