Have to thank Doug Smith, the owner and president of Checkmate boats, for keeping me in the loop on what’s happening at the Bucyrus, Ohio, company. In the last six weeks, I’ve written two stories on Checkmate, one that announced the recent release of the new 2000BXR, and another that focused a bit more on Smith and his growth strategy for the company.

Earlier this week, Smith sent me the latest photos from the Checkmate plant of the 2000BXR, which costs $29,995 and runs more than 50 mph with a 115-hp Mercury OptiMax outboard engine. I’m pleased to offer visitors to speedonthewater.com and boatermouth.com the first look.

The 2000BXR boasts sport boat styling and graphics.

From the open bow to the cockpit, all of the upholstery in the 2000BXR is color-matched.

A closer look at the open bow of the 2000BXR reveals features including grab handles and gunwale recesses.

The helm station for the 2000BXR includes a bucket seat and a sport-style steering wheel.

Though bench seat for the 2000BXR has a common bottom cushion, three back cushions create the sport boat-style look of a three-position bench.