1987 Four Winns 195 Sundowner

[freak007]

Re: 1987 Four Winns 195 Sundowner

Thanks alot for your input guys!! You guys pointed out alot of things that I didn't think about - the biggest one being the replacement seats. I knew they were new, and I assumed that with it being an old boat was a good thing, it did not occur to me that they may have been replaced due to damage from improper care/maintenance.

Next on my list:

1983 SeaRay 245 Sundowner.

http://tinyurl.com/3g83qfb

Current owner is the second owner and has had it for 1 year. Original owner bought brand new in '85. Boat has been stored indoors with the exception of a couple summers spent at the marina.

Mercruiser 260hp with 560 hours, Alpha 1 outdrive (rebuilt, but exact time unknown)
12 Volt and 110 volt fridge
two sinks downstairs
two burner stove
microwave
110v shore power with 30' cable
bimini top with full camper enclosure
vhf ship to shore
lowrance depth
gps
chartplotter
bennet trim tabs
3 battery system with multi bank charger,
motorized spotlight
1995 ez loader roller trailer with surge brakes
newer bellows and boots

As far as condition goes, it needs a little bottom paint touchup.
one of the fittings is seeping on a trim cylinder. Also needs a new hose clamp on one of the water hoses, when it was winterized that hose clamp was removed "because it felt weak when unscrewing it."


Asking price is $6500


My biggest concern is that this might be too big for skiing/tubing... I am also a little concerned with fuel economy, especially with gas over $4.00 a gallon right now...

 

[infideltarget]

Re: 1987 Four Winns 195 Sundowner

You may have gone a bit too far the other way, although I personally would like to have one of these myself. May be a bit unwieldy for the tubing, and DEFINITELY NOT something you would want to spend any amount of time at or near WOT with. But woould be great for the cruising with the crew!

 

[produceguy]

Re: 1987 Four Winns 195 Sundowner

I can't see your pic.
There's nothing their.

 

[freak007]

Re: 1987 Four Winns 195 Sundowner

I can't see your pic.
There's nothing their.

Boy I suck at this whole posting link thing... I edited my post, the link should take you to an album of about 20 pics now...

 

[produceguy]

Re: 1987 Four Winns 195 Sundowner

I like it, very nice.
On pic 23 on the bottom of the hull, is that glass damage or just paint flakeing?

If it passes a seatrial, I would start at 5000$

 

[RandyJ]

Re: 1987 Four Winns 195 Sundowner

I've got several OLD boats. My 23 ft bayliner montery has a nice cabin & double bed but is so heavy that it's a PITA to get out of the water or to maneuver in close quarters... but I love just chugging around or taking night rides on the lake in it. I've also got a 20 ft Harmon with a 350 chevy engine (mercruiser 260). It's a nice ski boat and plenty powerful enough to haul your load but would have to add back to back seats rather than the swivel seats. Both have bad engines but the aluminum trailers they're on are worth more than the boats!!!

 

[freak007]

Re: 1987 Four Winns 195 Sundowner

I thought the Sundowner might be a little large for what I was wanting to do...

And once again someone mentioned something I didn't even think of... I need to be able to launch/recover this thing by myself... Not sure I am up to that task with a 4500+ pound boat...


Which leads me to believe I need to be looking for a Bowrider, but I am concerned about a bowrider on the great lakes (Superior and Michigan), I do not have any plans to try and travel ACROSS the lake, but I would like to fish and travel the coastline sight seeing...

SO, would a 20 foot BR be enough for me?

 

[Joshua Nichols]

Re: 1987 Four Winns 195 Sundowner

Don't big ships sink on those lakes? Big water is dangerous.. Storms blow accross them fast... Go down to a marina and see what everyone else is doing..

I love the big ol huge bayliner, but I wouldn't start out with such a animal..

 

[freak007]

Re: 1987 Four Winns 195 Sundowner

Yes big ships have sank in the great lakes, just as they have sank in the ocean. We both know that vessel selection is only a small part of the equation... Weather and operator error are probably more of an issue...

That said - I think I have decicded to get another bowrider (with back to back seating) in the 18 to 21 foot range with a 4.3 to 5.7 I/O. I think there are just too many potential issues with a cuddy that I just do not want to deal with it at this time...

I have been looking at a lot of local ads trying to get a feel for the market, and it seems that in my price range I am looking at a mid 80s Rinker/Searay/etc or a mid 90s Maxum/Bayliner... I know maintnance plays a HUGE role in the condition of a used boat, but is there any reason I should shy away from the Maxums or Bayliners?

Thanks again!!

 

[rrhodes]

Re: 1987 Four Winns 195 Sundowner

As long as you have a good trailer with Guides getting the boat in and out is easy. Just take it slow, I would not discount a larger boat for this reason. With the amount of people you intend to entertain you need a lot of space. That is why I opted for a Pontoon. Rated for 16 people although seating runs out with 12. On Average I have 6 to 8 people on my boat. That full enclosure also means you can spend weekends on the water and extend your season a bit.

 

[ladylauren]

Re: 1987 Four Winns 195 Sundowner

I owned a 1987 Sundowner 19 ft cuddy for 17 years, with a 165 Merc I/o, it was a straight 4, 224 cu in , so was the 3.7 with an Alpha 1. So 17 years, says something about the boat and drive, all original, sold it for 4K 5 years ago, I kept it perfect. So for 5 adults and 2-3 kids, not enough room, only seats 6, so when pulling tubes/skiers, you will be slow to plane. They have been making larger bowriders, 21-23 ft, some have a small head area. I loved the cuddy, used to sleep 2 adults many times for multiple nights, once I had 1 child I moved up to a larger 25' boat. The 165 was a great motor, but not with a load of people tubing. Hope this helps.