Some Checkmates are pretty fast, not as fast as more dedicated performance boat companies, but for family market boats, very good performers. The best Checkmate models to me were still being made up until recently, the 2100 Pulsare, and the 2400 Pulsare closed deck models. Even today, some very notable boat builders use wood transoms, so the criticism aimed at that type of construction is valid but one could make a case for using it. Some of the most well known and respected boats built today use balsa in some of their construction, mostly for the natural composite’s incredible strength to weight and reasonable cost. To be fair, wood was possibly the best option for structure up until about the late nineties when closed cell foam and other composite boards became more viable. All Checkmate Boats were cored with balsa with a pretty solid layup, and even though they used wood stringers and transoms, they usually built them well enough that they lasted a very long time. Their gelcoat work is usually excellent, all colors in the gel and a great finish. I would say they weren’t pioneer’s in any one thing, but did everything well. Checkmate’s unique design, simplicity and consistent quality were their keys to success.Įven though I’m a little critical of Checkmate Boats’ quality over the years, compared to many mainstream builders, they have very good quality. After that, my Dad got a new 1997 Checkmate 21 Pulsare, which is still in the family. The sleek Checkmate was a head turner back then not the fastest, but a solid boat, great build quality and that signature Checkmate look. Checkmates were pretty common where I grew up and my Dad bought a used 1991 Starflite with a Mercury 3.4 275 when I was about 15 years old. I really like Checkmate Boats and as a kid I got to meet Bill Combs at the Chicago Marine Exhibition, then one of the largest marine industry shows, and it was a highlight for me. There are a few reasons Checkmate lasted as long as they did and it is worth looking at as the business of building boats has not changed all that much in some ways. But even though he helped spawn one of their biggest competitors operating in the same town it actually may have helped Checkmate’s staying power. Would Bill Combs anticipate how big Checkmate and Baja Boats would become? Probably not. At least that’s how I remember the story going.
Cobra essentially was a small fabrication shop down the street in Bucyrus Ohio and used a mold with Bill Comb’ blessing to get started, the 16’ Cobra. What is amazing is Combs and Downward were instrumental in Cobra boats starting, which became Baja boats, their nemesis. They started in sales and service but became interested in racing, which led to manufacturing not soon after.
Bill and his original partner Bill Downward were influential in the performance boat movement in the sixties. Ohio has a unique history in performance boats but it would be impossible to talk about boats and Ohio, without mentioning Bill Combs and Checkmate Boats.
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