I really did not have too much doubt that it could have actually been a Merc Racing motor like stated, but I cannot believe it was factory installed like it was.
I thought a motor plate was a good solid idea, but the hot rolled steel pieces that tied the plate to the boat's floor/stringers (I hope) looked like they were bent in a vise and drilled with a hand drill. Lag bots into floor, and all the hardware was just palin stuff too. Nothing painted, plated, stainless, coated, just bottom of the line nuts and bolts. I can't think Checkmate was making their mounts like that...
On top of all the other homemade gizmos...
Another drive to look at a Tri-toon yesterday. 25 foot with a 2003 or 4 Yamaha 2 stroke Vmax 150.
I thought it sounded like fun. It was. I got it pretty good on top. 7 people (few of them kids) low on gas and it hit 45 on the speedo easily. Guessing it was probably 40 for real. BUT...you could tell it was an older 2 stroke bass boat motor. It started hard, smoked, loaded up after a 4-5 minute low speed/idle into deeper water, and spitted and sputtered alot more than neighbors 4 strokes and E Tecs. I could see the wife and kids stranding themselves after flooding and fouling plugs in it. AND as cool as it was, it is still a TOON. Beenthinking the room would be nice and comfy, but even with third toon, STILL A PONTOON. We were on Wixom Lake a few hours away from home. First a 201 Lib w/ open pipes goes by. Son points out an HTM!!!! A couple Checkmates. Then cruising by goes a POWERQUEST
I am thinking I may be able to stomach another deckboat as long as it has a v-8, and some roomy comfort, but being in that place, even on a toon that flew(in my book-I grade on a budget restricted curve)it was deflating not putting me on top of the world like I hade thought.
Wixom Lake looked like a pretty hot spot for some cool rides, anyone from that side of the "mitten"?
The area we were in looked a little narrow for high speed blasts, but they were happening
THANKS AGAIN for all the info on the 502 !!!
