Shogren Adds Checkmate

Checkmate specializes in building single-engine sportboats, such as the 2000BRX shown here.

Shogren Performance Marine has taken on the Checkmate line of sportboats. According to Scott Shogren, the principal of the Waukegan, Ill., dealership in new and pre-owned models, the addition of products from Checkmate, which is based in Bucyrus, Ohio, is a crucial compliment to his existing offerings.

“We think that when the market comes back, it will start with single-engine, outboard- or stern-drive trailerable sportboats,
said Shogren. “People who have the ‘water gene’ aren’t going to stop boating. They’re just going to change the way they go boating.

“Checkmate has always produced a great, affordable product and done very well in that segment,” he added. “And we think we will do very with them.”

Shogren’s current new-boat lines are Nor-Tech, which builds high-performance offshore catamarans, V-bottoms and center consoles, and—now—Checkmate. The dealership no longer carries the Sunsation line of performance boats.

“Unfortunately, Sunsation doesn’t specialize in the market segment where we think the comeback, as I mentioned, will begin,” said Shogren. “Plus, now that Sunsation is building center consoles, that puts them in direct competition with Nor-Tech, and we’ve been doing very well with them.

“Joe and Wayne Schaldenbrand (the owners of Sunsation) are great guys and great to work with,” he added. “I wish them all the best.”