87 Four Winns need input before buying

[rickryder]

Hi Guys,
I am looking at a 1987 Four Winns 210 Horizion thats for sale Has newer 350 vortex and newer outdrive both have aprox 400 hours on them Pictures of the boat show hull in very good condition plus it sits on a dual wheel trailer with electric winch...floors soft interior will need a lot of love but asking price $800. with titles for boat and trailer....anything I should be looking for on the Four Winns boats?? thanks for any info on this model

 

[JoLin]

Re: 87 Four Winns need input before buying

...floors soft interior will need a lot of love but asking price $800. with titles for boat and trailer....anything I should be looking for on the Four Winns boats?? thanks for any info on this model

Plenty- a soft floor in a boat that old is likely the tip of the iceburg. The flooring is rotted Chances are VERY good that the transom and stringers are the same.

Seriously, $800 with a trailer? In that size range, that's about a fifth of what a boat and trailer in decent condition will cost you. Most times, you really do get what you pay for.

My .02

 

[cr2k]

Re: 87 Four Winns need input before buying

If the sole/deck is soft (boats don't have floors) as mentioned it is probably in need of stringer repair/replacement and re-decking, and may have some transom rot. However for that price it would be one heck of good deal leaving plenty of room for the cost of repairs if you can do some or most on your own.

Four Winns is a decent boat. If nothing more you could part it out and get more then your money back off the trailer alone. The drive package could go for up to $2500.

 

[xeddog]

Re: 87 Four Winns need input before buying

I would be curious if the drive system was factory, or something that a shade tree mechanic threw in there perhaps using a car engine to save some money. I'm not saying a car engine would be good or bad (well ok, it's not a good idea), but it could lead to further problems down the road if you decided to repair the boat and use it.

In any event, it does sound like you could make your money back parting it out if nothing else. I might be inclined to give you $800 for the trailer.

Wayne

 

[rickryder]

Re: 87 Four Winns need input before buying

:

I would be curious if the drive system was factory, or something that a shade tree mechanic threw in there perhaps using a car engine to save some money. I'm not saying a car engine would be good or bad (well ok, it's not a good idea), but it could lead to further problems down the road if you decided to repair the boat and use it.

In any event, it does sound like you could make your money back parting it out if nothing else. I might be inclined to give you $800 for the trailer.

Wayne

From the pics the guy sent me its a factory set up the merc outdrive is in perfect condition so even if I sold that and the trailer I would be ahead of the game! Thanks for the input and I'll post my findings when I go see it in person today

 

[rickryder]

Re: 87 Four Winns need input before buying

outdrive looks good

 

[ezmobee]

Re: 87 Four Winns need input before buying

As afraid as I am of older fiberglass hulls......I fail to see how you could go wrong with that one for only $800.

 

[JoLin]

Re: 87 Four Winns need input before buying

As afraid as I am of older fiberglass hulls......I fail to see how you could go wrong with that one for only $800.

If he's lookinjg for a project, or a boat to part out, he can't. If he's looking for a boat to use this seems to me like an awful choice.

My .02

 

[rickryder]

Re: 87 Four Winns need input before buying

If he's lookinjg for a project, or a boat to part out, he can't. If he's looking for a boat to use this seems to me like an awful choice.

My .02

OK well I looked at the boat.The motor was installed @500 hrs. and a new out drive unit complete he has receipt of work from the marina. The boat now has 604 hrs. The interior is poor I pulled up the carpet in a few areas and found plywood on the deck with a fiberglass deck below. The top layer that the carpet is attached is shot. The fiberglass deck seems pretty solid and in the bilage areas, engine compartment, transom, etc. are in good shape,couldn't find any spot my screwdriver could penetrate. I think I can restore this boat but if I find big problems when I start tearing into it I could always part out a 5.7 L Merc and the outdrive and trailer for way more than what I can get it for

 

[rickryder]

Re: 87 Four Winns need input before buying

I bought the boat! I started pulling out old carpet and junk and found that the wood floor above the deck is rotted but the glass and wood on the deck are in great condition...its gonna need an interior but for 800 bucks I think I got a deal and a half...next is to get it fired up it only has 100+ hours on the new power plant! I'll post my findings!

 

[NYBo]

Re: 87 Four Winns need input before buying

 

[rickryder]

Re: 87 Four Winns need input before buying

Started getting into the resto of the boat...ripped up most of the deck, removed wet foam,removed fuel tank, removed 2 rotted stringers.... not too bad at all! Now its time to clean and grind everything smooth and get ready to make new stringers and glass em in!Still trying to figure out what to do with 44 gals. of fuel that was in the tank