Looking at a 1989 Horizon 200 - good boat?

[coskier]

We are looking at a 1987 Chaparral and a 1989 Four Winns Horizon 200 as our first family boat, for pulling a tube, skis, etc. Anything I should know about, good or bad?

 

[waynerh]

Re: Looking at a 1989 Horizon 200 - good boat?

Both are good boats. I had an 89 200 horizon and when i sold it in 93 it had 2800 hours without a SINGLE problem. It was outfitted with a 5.8 ford and an OMC cobra.
The most important thing to watch out for is the manner in which it maintained .

 

[Pinewood]

Re: Looking at a 1989 Horizon 200 - good boat?

We picked up a 89 fw 200. It is great but... it is over 15 years old so I would look at the hull stringers and cross members for rot. The first one we looked at had mushy decking, was in need of attention. Nice set up and plenty of storage. Plenty of power.

 

[Lou C]

Re: Looking at a 1989 Horizon 200 - good boat?

If it has the wood deck with carpet I'd pass, unless it was stored inside there will be rot and lot of it, I just did the deck and stringers on my 88 and it was a heck of a big job. Some of them came with fiberglass liners, but you still have to be careful.

 

[skeat]

Re: Looking at a 1989 Horizon 200 - good boat?

I have an '89 Horizon 180. Great boat for doing just what you said but with a boat that age, maintenance can make the difference between a good boat and a piece of junk (definitely check the floor and outdrive). I replaced the floor and stringers in my boat. A big job but not out of reach. The boat had very low hours though and the engine & electronics were perfect. I also have the 4.3 Cobra, plenty of power (45 mph GPS). The 20 will be a little slower but have a nicer ride. It's all about paying the right price and knowing what your paying for

 

[cory5546]

Re: Looking at a 1989 Horizon 200 - good boat?

i have a 1989 horizon i baught it from my cousin he was a poor up keep of the boat (poor thing ) but anyway when we had it on the water it was fun fun fun and now i am restoring it not any rot thank goodness but i do have a elec problem it also has a 5.8 ford motor and i am trying to post a message about it but im new and dont know how lol

 

[horndawg]

Re: Looking at a 1989 Horizon 200 - good boat?

I have a 88 200 Horizon with the 5.0 chevy and cobra drive. These boats really ride and handle nicely. If you have the OMC drive the impeller change takes about 10 minutes, what a breeze.