Any Advice?????

[Runtboat]

I recently purchased a 1989 Four Winns Freedom 170 that only needed "easy cosmetic fixes" (seats, carpet, etc). So being young and stupid and not knowing any better I bought the boat. Turns out that easy cosmetic fix meant rotten transom. I don't know what to do! I don't know if i should just cut my losses and sell the boat for what I can, try to part it out, fix it, or just throw a match on it.

 

[jimdd810]

Re: Any Advice?????

hey weve all been lured into doing bad things. Post some pics so we can help you determine your next course of action.

 

[wishboneZ51]

Re: Any Advice?????

Please post pictures if you can. I can understand your frustration and it can be over wellming at first. If you got it for a good deal and love the boat with some love, care, patients and money you can put it back together better then new with the help of everybody here and plenty of reading tomake your brain freeze.

 

[proshine43]

Re: Any Advice?????

Post some pics. The guys on here are very helpfull, and more than willing to help. I bought a boat about 2 weeks ago where I thought the drivers seat needed tightening and the ski locker hatch needed to be replaced. Ha, I now have the boat in 2 pieces putting in new stringers and a complete new deck. If it wasn't for the guys on this forum i'd still be trying to tighten that seat. So stay with it and keep us updated.

 

[Bob_VT]

Re: Any Advice?????

Welcome to iboats.

Sorry to hear about your dilemma and possibly we can guide you.

The work your boat may or may not need just needs to be properly evaluated.

Transoms are not that tough, decking is not bad...... what power's this "new to you" boat? If it's an outboard the transom will be an easier task....... inboard/outboard requires more work.

 

[Runtboat]

Re: Any Advice?????

Here are a few pics of the damages. It has the 2.3L Ford OMC I/O. I also have some questions. How hard is it to remove the engine and the drive? How hard is to remove the cap and what is the best way to do it? Once the cap is removed what is the best way to keep flex to a minimum? Once the old transom is removed what is the best way to adhere the new wood? I know this is a lot of questions but if i decide to do this I have no idea where to start. Thanks for any advice.

 

[Isaacm1986]

Re: Any Advice?????

Deffiently going to need replacing.

The cap, Remove the rub rail. Under the rub rail are usally rivets. Drill them out with a SLIGHTLY larger drill bit. Once all the rivets are drilled out, just pull the cap off.

I have no experience removing the I/O's, so no help there.

The new wood. Depending on how much you want to spend, you have some options.

Most people here use two sheets of 3/4" exterior grade plywood. They seal it with epoxy resin and use PL Premium to adhere it to the transom skin.

If you want to spend a little more on wood, and want to skip the epoxy resin, use 3/4" Pressure Treated Plywood. I think this is a good way to go, although it does not seem to be a very popular idea here on iboats. Follow the link for a current disscussion on PT plywood vs marine plywood and exterior grade plywood.

http://forums.iboats.com/showthread.php?t=440262

The 3rd option is the marine plywood, but most people don't want to spend that kind of cash on the stuff cause it is very spendy ($60-$80) a sheet.

Hope this is helpful

 

[ezmobee]

Re: Any Advice?????

I don't know what to do! I don't know if i should just cut my losses and sell the boat for what I can, try to part it out, fix it, or just throw a match on it.

The fact that is has an OMC stern drive in it makes me think you should consider cutting your losses unless you really like the boat. That being said, if you do decide to rebuild it, you'll find plenty of help here.

 

[NoKlu]

Re: Any Advice?????

OMC is no longer in business so there is no running to the local boat shop to get parts. You have to search the net then wait for used parts to get shipped.

 

[Runtboat]

Re: Any Advice?????

I guess I will just try and part it out and try to recoup as much as I can. Does anyone need any OMC parts? LOL Thanks for the advice I really do appreciate the input.

 

[ezmobee]

Re: Any Advice?????

There ARE people looking for the parts so you may get lucky parting it out on ebay or CL.

 

[Runtboat]

Re: Any Advice?????

I know that this is probably not the best place for this post so I apologize in advance. I don't know what the parts that I have are worth, what to ask for them, or a realistic selling price. I would like to get rid of the whole boat but I think that selling the parts individually will take longer but yeild more return. Again I apologize for this post in the restoration forum. Thanks for any input.

 

[BobsGlasstream]

Re: Any Advice?????

The best way to find out the value is research. Go to ebay and search for the parts you have and see what they are selling for. That will give you a starting point.
One other option that I did not see anyone post was a conversion from OMC to Mercruiser. Kits are available to change but it still comes down to the cost and how much you like the boat.
MY 2 Cents
Good Luck
Bob