Checkmate For The Spartan Powerboat Club

Created: March 4, 2025

Don’t let the headline fool you, it’s not a chess metaphor for the demise of the Spartan Powerboat Club. Founded in the 2018 by New Jersey-based performance boat owner Del Flores, the organization is alive and well—even more so now with Checkmate Boats of Washington, N.C., on board as a sponsor for the outfit’s coming event season.

(From left) Total Marine’s Tom Caruso, Del Flores, Pete Caldwell, Craig Barrie of Statement Marine and Total Marine’s John Herrmann struck a pose during the Miami International Boat Show last month.

And Flores, who was introduced to Checkmate Boats principal Pete Caldwell through John Herrmann of Checkmate dealer and club sponsor Total Marine, couldn’t be happier about it.

“Pete and I forged a friendship immediately because we have a lot in common,” Flores explained. “He’s actually from Toms River (N.J.) and his grandfather still lives there. Jim Caldwell, Pete’s grandfather, was a frogman in World War II. He even opened a museum in Toms River dedicated to the history of frogmen.”