Checkmate Boats Review

Checkmate Power Boats are manufactured by Checkmate Marine, a proven company with a long history in racing. The company has recently begun incorporating the signature styling of Checkmate speed boats into a performance line with family-friendly features and options that are well known in the performance boat market.

Trademark features of Checkmate speedboats are custom colors, hand-crafted manufacturing and sleek, aerodynamic designs. The company carried those distinctive features into its line of leisure boats. All boats in both markets contain nearly 100% fiberglass construction and get individual attention when being rigged and assembled.

Pricing

New Checkmate boats can cost between $50,000 and $185,000. Used models typically range between $20,000 to $80,000.

Pros

• Checkmate is known for its sleek styling and unique finishes.
• The company offers a one-year warranty on all its boats, if they are owned by the original purchaser. The fiberglass hull of the boat is covered under a limited warranty for 10 years.
• At the requests of customers, Checkmate last year began an OEM program of refurbishing old boats.
• They offer a line of distinctive custom colors.

Cons

• This company has limited distribution compared to some of its competitors.
• Prices are somewhat higher than competing options.

Featured Models

The performance boat line from Checkmate includes the Pulsare, Convincor and ZT series. Each series boasts several models with numerous options and upgrades available. The Pulsare line is the muscle boat in the outboard line. It’s designed for a family day of skiing, fishing or other water fun. Models in this line include the 1600, 2000, 2100 and 2400.

The Convincor line is an offshore boat with a small cuddy cabin and a swim platform. Models in this line include the 270, 270BR, 300 and 2800OBX.

The high-end ZT line of performance boats features a larger cabin, a built-in swim platform and a host of extras. Models in this line include the 230, 240, 260, and 280.

Conclusion

This Ohio-based firm seems to have successfully transitioned from the speedboat market into the performance market without having to change its entire image. While still a factor in the speedboat sector, it is marketing a line of attractive performance boats to meet family and casual boating needs. The custom color and fast design of Checkmate boats make the boats distinctive in appearance, and the company’s history of building speedboats that could withstand tremendous pounding and pressure have translated into a line of rugged yet sleek boats that shoppers should definitely consider.