Story and select photos by DinaRella / Additional images from Pete Caldwell and Syntecind
The Pulsare 2400 BRX from Checkmate Powerboats is back and better than ever, changing the game with a bow lounger, bargain price, and bonkers 91-MPH top speed. There’s also an optional F1 helm with sport paddles to make you salivate over!
At the 2025 MIBS, two of the latest models in fitting green and orange Miami Hurricane colors won fans over much like the beloved UM sports teams. Join us in exploring all there is to celebrate about the new-generation 2400 BRX with Pete Caldwell, Checkmate Powerboats owner and founder of Caldwell Marine Designs.
Before delving into the delicious boat details, Caldwell, who brings to the table 20 years of hands-on boatbuilding experience, briefly outlined Checkmate Powerboats six-decade timeline of ownership, “Boat racer Bill Combs started the company in 1963 in Bucyrus, Ohio. He built the boats for many years before leasing the molds and eventually transferring ownership to Doug Smith of Baja Boats. It’s been said the first Baja mold was made off a Checkmate hull. Following several years of success, Smith sold Baja to Brunswick Corporation, but kept Checkmate until 2013 when he sold assets to Joe LoGiudice of Hustler Powerboats.”
Caldwell continues, “At CMD, we contract-build for others but if things slowed down, we wanted to have our own line to produce. Mike Livorsi knew this, and when news broke that Checkmate was for sale, he called me. In 2020 I bought the company from Joe (LoGiudice) and moved all the molds from Ohio to my Washington, North Carolina, facility. Since then, we restructured the business, and building upon invaluable input from Reggie Fountain, made various adjustments to the boats. Production started up a year ago. We’ve built 12 so far.”
“We’ve updated the running surface and widened the pad by five inches to account for today’s heavier four-stroke outboards. The boats are 100 percent all-composite board and high-density foam. There is no balsa plywood. On the inside, it's fiberglass and pre-bolted all around like we did on the Fountains and Donzis. Upgrading the epoxy and vacuum bagging has also reduced weight and increased strength.”
“If this thing hits a wave, it doesn’t creek and crack. There’s no shaking and vibration. A few guys with older Checkmates have driven the new models and said they feel more solid,” adds Caldwell. Another guy named Billy Moore has sufficient seat time in the 2400 BRX. The world-renowned professional racer plays an influential role in boat set-up and new customer operational trainings for the company and seconds that solid-running sentiment
Moore and Caldwell successfully worked together cranking the 2400 BRX’s top speed up to a bonkers 91 mph with the 500R, which may make this latest iteration the fastest ever. But the duo had a little help. Dialing in began on sacred ground at Mercury Marine’s Lake X testing facility, where props are as plentiful as the wildlife roaming the heavily wooded secret site. Moore has seen 91 miles per hour millions of times—but never in a single-engine bowrider. Sitting in the shade at the Total Marine dealer table in between the two boats, the veteran racer/rigger talks to RDP about variables contributing to the boat’s stellar performance, “Raising the motor on a Bob’s Machine Shop 10-inch hydraulic jack plate 10 inches off the transom, reducing drag, and being able to put the surface-piercing cleaver prop at the optimal height helped. The hull’s 22-degree deadrise, the narrow V-shaped running pad, and multiple lifting strakes also played a big role.”
“The boat rides on rails. I actually drove one-handed,” interjects Moore, before mentioning a piece of nostalgia. “That didn’t happen at my last visit to Lake X many years ago. I was making a delivery for my dad (the legendary first throttleman in offshore racing Bobby Moore) and Billy Mauff of WHM Motorsports was there testing the Skater. I didn’t make it back home for days,” he gleefully admits.
If testing is the topic, Boating Magazine also factors into the Checkmate 2400 BRX legacy—but you can bet their helmsmen had both hands on the wheel. Caldwell says, “The team first asked to include it in their comprehensive 2024 Boat Buyers Guide issue. Following the sea trials of 120 boats comparing each to their category peers, the editors told us, ‘This thing is great and deserves to be Boating Magazine 2024 Performance Boat of the Year!’”
Beyond its confident handling and hair-whipping speeds, other award-worthy traits include the bargain price and open-bow configuration. Equipped with a 300-hp outboard, the base price is a steal at $155,000. With all the bells and whistles and a 500R bolted on the back, you’re looking at $260,000—still a hell of a deal!
Going with the open-bow layout and elongated forward loungers, Checkmate has opened up the performance boat’s target market to a new arena of family-orientated boaters. Four more guests fit comfortably onboard to enjoy its offerings. Sit on the three-person rear bench and look down to appreciate the logos carved into the EVA foam decking. For secure WOT sailing, reach for a billet grab handle—each placed in the perfect spot and etched in Checkmate lettering like the pop-up cleats. Open the frameless, smoke-tinted windshield made in-house if you want to move around, or lift a diamond-stitched seat cushion and discover magnet snaps replace the hinges in the storage compartments.
Wondering about personalized features? If you can dream it, Caldwell can make it a reality! For instance, orange hull No. 7 is owned by a couple from Syracuse, New York, who wanted a larger 9-inch monitor (standard is 7-inch) and old-school analog gauges, high-back, flip-up bolsters with fold-down armrests for an elevated point of view, and the jumbo 380 K-Planes for their 500R. No problem!
Fellow New Yorkers from Woodstock had a different vision for green hull No. 11. Their 450R engine and customized EZ Loader trailer are color-matched down to the green pearl paint. And the checkered flags and horse heads ghosted along the hull sides? “They are air-brushed—no stickers on this boat,” Caldwell points out, noting they went through eight renderings to get it right.”
Gussi and Syntec Reinvent the Wheel
Hailed as the F1 helm, the Checkmate endgame is the patented Murano System with a center cap touchscreen display, in combination with the Power Wings Sport Paddles by Gussi Italia exclusively from Syntec Industries.
The touchscreen and paddles streamline all operations by placing controls to adjust media, trim tabs, anchor, horn, camera, and other dashboard features at your fingertips. Backlit symbols flash to confirm commands and their IP67 rating ensures reliability in all marine conditions. The round display offers real-time data on engine performance, navigation, lighting, and more.
Syntecinc explains, “The PoweHub 2.0 utilizes cutting-edge electromagnetic technology to wirelessly transfer power. Traditionally powering complex electronics on a wheel required a hard-wired clockspring. However, in the marine environment, a clockspring can’t accommodate the high rotation demands. Wires are now obsolete and the PowerHub 2.0 delivers complete helm control.”
Caldwell first saw the system at IBEX last October and had to have it. Helm station controls, gauges, and a color-matched throttle shifter—all by Livorsi—elevate the new-generation Checkmate Pulsare 2400 BRX to the next level.
Nice work Pete! We can’t wait for the upcoming Knights Gambit 21-footer…
The Pulsare 2400 BRX from Checkmate Powerboats is back and better than ever, changing the game with a bow lounger, bargain price, and bonkers 91-MPH top speed. There’s also an optional F1 helm with sport paddles to make you salivate over!
At the 2025 MIBS, two of the latest models in fitting green and orange Miami Hurricane colors won fans over much like the beloved UM sports teams. Join us in exploring all there is to celebrate about the new-generation 2400 BRX with Pete Caldwell, Checkmate Powerboats owner and founder of Caldwell Marine Designs.
Built Back and Better
Before delving into the delicious boat details, Caldwell, who brings to the table 20 years of hands-on boatbuilding experience, briefly outlined Checkmate Powerboats six-decade timeline of ownership, “Boat racer Bill Combs started the company in 1963 in Bucyrus, Ohio. He built the boats for many years before leasing the molds and eventually transferring ownership to Doug Smith of Baja Boats. It’s been said the first Baja mold was made off a Checkmate hull. Following several years of success, Smith sold Baja to Brunswick Corporation, but kept Checkmate until 2013 when he sold assets to Joe LoGiudice of Hustler Powerboats.”
Caldwell continues, “At CMD, we contract-build for others but if things slowed down, we wanted to have our own line to produce. Mike Livorsi knew this, and when news broke that Checkmate was for sale, he called me. In 2020 I bought the company from Joe (LoGiudice) and moved all the molds from Ohio to my Washington, North Carolina, facility. Since then, we restructured the business, and building upon invaluable input from Reggie Fountain, made various adjustments to the boats. Production started up a year ago. We’ve built 12 so far.”
“We’ve updated the running surface and widened the pad by five inches to account for today’s heavier four-stroke outboards. The boats are 100 percent all-composite board and high-density foam. There is no balsa plywood. On the inside, it's fiberglass and pre-bolted all around like we did on the Fountains and Donzis. Upgrading the epoxy and vacuum bagging has also reduced weight and increased strength.”
“If this thing hits a wave, it doesn’t creek and crack. There’s no shaking and vibration. A few guys with older Checkmates have driven the new models and said they feel more solid,” adds Caldwell. Another guy named Billy Moore has sufficient seat time in the 2400 BRX. The world-renowned professional racer plays an influential role in boat set-up and new customer operational trainings for the company and seconds that solid-running sentiment
Raising the Bar… and the Speed
Moore and Caldwell successfully worked together cranking the 2400 BRX’s top speed up to a bonkers 91 mph with the 500R, which may make this latest iteration the fastest ever. But the duo had a little help. Dialing in began on sacred ground at Mercury Marine’s Lake X testing facility, where props are as plentiful as the wildlife roaming the heavily wooded secret site. Moore has seen 91 miles per hour millions of times—but never in a single-engine bowrider. Sitting in the shade at the Total Marine dealer table in between the two boats, the veteran racer/rigger talks to RDP about variables contributing to the boat’s stellar performance, “Raising the motor on a Bob’s Machine Shop 10-inch hydraulic jack plate 10 inches off the transom, reducing drag, and being able to put the surface-piercing cleaver prop at the optimal height helped. The hull’s 22-degree deadrise, the narrow V-shaped running pad, and multiple lifting strakes also played a big role.”
“The boat rides on rails. I actually drove one-handed,” interjects Moore, before mentioning a piece of nostalgia. “That didn’t happen at my last visit to Lake X many years ago. I was making a delivery for my dad (the legendary first throttleman in offshore racing Bobby Moore) and Billy Mauff of WHM Motorsports was there testing the Skater. I didn’t make it back home for days,” he gleefully admits.
If testing is the topic, Boating Magazine also factors into the Checkmate 2400 BRX legacy—but you can bet their helmsmen had both hands on the wheel. Caldwell says, “The team first asked to include it in their comprehensive 2024 Boat Buyers Guide issue. Following the sea trials of 120 boats comparing each to their category peers, the editors told us, ‘This thing is great and deserves to be Boating Magazine 2024 Performance Boat of the Year!’”
Winning Moves
Beyond its confident handling and hair-whipping speeds, other award-worthy traits include the bargain price and open-bow configuration. Equipped with a 300-hp outboard, the base price is a steal at $155,000. With all the bells and whistles and a 500R bolted on the back, you’re looking at $260,000—still a hell of a deal!
Going with the open-bow layout and elongated forward loungers, Checkmate has opened up the performance boat’s target market to a new arena of family-orientated boaters. Four more guests fit comfortably onboard to enjoy its offerings. Sit on the three-person rear bench and look down to appreciate the logos carved into the EVA foam decking. For secure WOT sailing, reach for a billet grab handle—each placed in the perfect spot and etched in Checkmate lettering like the pop-up cleats. Open the frameless, smoke-tinted windshield made in-house if you want to move around, or lift a diamond-stitched seat cushion and discover magnet snaps replace the hinges in the storage compartments.
Wondering about personalized features? If you can dream it, Caldwell can make it a reality! For instance, orange hull No. 7 is owned by a couple from Syracuse, New York, who wanted a larger 9-inch monitor (standard is 7-inch) and old-school analog gauges, high-back, flip-up bolsters with fold-down armrests for an elevated point of view, and the jumbo 380 K-Planes for their 500R. No problem!
Fellow New Yorkers from Woodstock had a different vision for green hull No. 11. Their 450R engine and customized EZ Loader trailer are color-matched down to the green pearl paint. And the checkered flags and horse heads ghosted along the hull sides? “They are air-brushed—no stickers on this boat,” Caldwell points out, noting they went through eight renderings to get it right.”
Gussi and Syntec Reinvent the Wheel
Hailed as the F1 helm, the Checkmate endgame is the patented Murano System with a center cap touchscreen display, in combination with the Power Wings Sport Paddles by Gussi Italia exclusively from Syntec Industries.
The touchscreen and paddles streamline all operations by placing controls to adjust media, trim tabs, anchor, horn, camera, and other dashboard features at your fingertips. Backlit symbols flash to confirm commands and their IP67 rating ensures reliability in all marine conditions. The round display offers real-time data on engine performance, navigation, lighting, and more.
Syntecinc explains, “The PoweHub 2.0 utilizes cutting-edge electromagnetic technology to wirelessly transfer power. Traditionally powering complex electronics on a wheel required a hard-wired clockspring. However, in the marine environment, a clockspring can’t accommodate the high rotation demands. Wires are now obsolete and the PowerHub 2.0 delivers complete helm control.”
Caldwell first saw the system at IBEX last October and had to have it. Helm station controls, gauges, and a color-matched throttle shifter—all by Livorsi—elevate the new-generation Checkmate Pulsare 2400 BRX to the next level.
Nice work Pete! We can’t wait for the upcoming Knights Gambit 21-footer…
