Converting outboard to inboard

[KennyBradley]

Hi,<br /><br />I have been offered a very nice looking Four Winns 257 Quest for next to nothing. She has fallen off her trailer and has some cosmetic damage which looks fairly east to put right.<br /><br />Problem is she has twin 200hp outboards, to reduce running costs I need to sell the 2 outboards and fit twin diesel inboards with sterndrives. <br /><br />There are two problems:<br /><br />The large grp moulded stringers run all the way to the transom and are quite high because they support the deck. I would need to lower them near transom to make room for the inboards.<br /><br />The Transom is shaped to mount the outboards and there may not be enough room to mount inboards up close to the transom. Some of it may have to be cut away and a flat transom fitted.<br /><br />I realise this is no small task and I wouldn’t be considering it if I wasn’t getting such a great deal on the boat. Is it feasible to make these modifications without compromising the strength of the hull? Any advice would be much appreciated. Are there any helpful websites out there that may be able to help?<br /><br />Cheers Kenny

 

[JasonJ]

Re: Converting outboard to inboard

Its doable, but will require a lot of fabrication. My question is, do you already have the twin diesel drivetrains? If you don't, the shear cost of those in addition to the costs of converting this boat may negate any savings you may acheive in initial price of boat purchase and fuel savings. It is pointless to spend thousands to save hundreds, know what I mean? If in fact you do have these drivetrains just waiting for a new home, and are getting the hull dirt cheap, then you are looking at a lot of structural re-engineering. Your first step needs to be research. You need to find a boat that has a setup that is identical or at least similar to what you are proposing. You need to see the design differences and decide if this hull will actually be suitable for the conversion. You may find out that it just can't happen with this hull. Anyway, good luck, and post progress pics if you go aead with this conversion.

 

[CalicoKid]

Re: Converting outboard to inboard

It might be easier to do a two step conversion. Step one convert the Four Winns to cash, step two convert the cash to the boat you want.

 

[Chris1956]

Re: Converting outboard to inboard

Kenny, You could run a single gas SBC or diesel screw in that boat. You could also run a single 200 HP Outboard, and have moderate performance. Mount a kicker if you worry about relaibility of one engine. The price of two diesels will be significant, as is the conversion effort.

 

[Moody Blue]

Re: Converting outboard to inboard

CalicoKid has the right idea. No headaches and you're on the water right away instead of a year or two down the road.

 

[KennyBradley]

Re: Converting outboard to inboard

Thanks for all the replys guys.<br /><br />I'll have to give it some thought. I may be possible to install the single inboard without too many modifications?<br /><br />Thanks again.