With upgraded hardware and new interiors, Checkmate Boats is moving forward. By Gregg Mansfield

by Gregg Mansfield

When Doug Smith purchased Checkmate Boats nearly a year ago, he viewed the products as a diamond in the rough. The quality was good for a production builder, but the boats needed to take the next step to compete with the evolving performance-boat industry.

It didn't take long for Smith, the founder of Baja Marine, to put his touch on the company. Smith brought in McLeod Design Group to do the interiors on its models 27 feet and longer. He upgraded the boats' windshields and went with higher-quality hardware throughout the lineup.

Smith also brought in MerCruiser and its suppliers to get certified on the installation of their products. In short, the processes he developed at Baja Marine, he's bringing to the Bucyrus, Ohio, builder.

"We kept the quality—the flawless gelcoat and the graphics," said Dean Reynolds, general manager. "The integrity of Checkmate, from the quality of construction to the gelcoat we haven't touched."

The ZT 230 Checkmate brought us in Fort Myers, Fla., last year was the 100th boat the company has produced under the new ownership. Checkmate is one of the few builders in the performance-boat industry to offer several models in stern drives and outboards.

Although the 23-foot model was equipped with a stern drive, Reynolds said many consumers are opting for its sister boat with outboards. The option provides more cockpit space and better fuel efficiency, Reynolds said.

The green, blue and orange graphics on the ZT 230 were done in the gelcoat. Equipped with a MerCruiser MX 6.2 MPI (the largest engine it comes with), Reynolds said the boat will run 68 mph. That's a respectable speed for a traditional V-bottom sport boat that retails for $72,000.

McLeod Design Group was given the task of building the boat's bucket seats. The seats for the driver and co-pilot were on pedestals that swiveled. The traditional rear bench, as well as the bucket seats, had the colors from the graphics carried through them. A thicker, more durable carpet was installed in the cockpit and open bow.

Other improvements included a full windshield from Taylor Made and a color-matched Dino steering wheel. Even the boat's stereo system with iPod capabilities in front of the observer was kicked up a notch. Elite Series gauges were from Eddie Marine and the throttle and shifter on the starboard gunwale was from Mercury.

The builder provided stowage in the sole in the center walk-through between the bow and cockpit. A folding door could be closed to reduce the wind in the cockpit. The open bow had gunwale padding throughout and grab handles for passengers to hold onto while the boat was underway.

The integrated swim platform done in nonskid had a stainless-steel fold-down ladder on the port side.

Reynolds expects the company, which offers boats from 16 to 33 feet, to build about 250 boats this year. Smith had been busy the past year setting up a dealer network for Checkmate.

Although Smith had been out of the day-to-day marine business for years, he had been looking for the right opportunity to get back into the industry. Few builders are as passionate about the business as Smith.

"He can look at something and know if it's going to work," Reynolds said. "His knowledge of the industry is incredible."

CONTACT INFORMATION
Checkmate Boats, 3691 Street Route 4 N., P.O. Box 351, Bucyrus, OH 44820, 419-562-3881, www.checkmatepowerboats.net

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