Serial No. Confusion and Engine Question

[mcpo]

I have just got a supposedly 1985 Contender, 19', with a 3.8 L. Engine I/O, Bowrider. That's what the title says. The ownder says it is a Four Winns Contender. However; my research indicates by the hull ser. no. that it is not a Four Winns number, nor did Four Winns ever make a boat called Contender. The good part is that it is identical to the 1985 Four Winns Horizon 190. Only difference is that it has 3.8 Liter V-6 Buick Engine. I can't find where they ever used that either. I called Four Winns Tech people. They say it sounds just like 1985, 190 Horizon. They never made a boat called Contender and the serial number isn't even close to what they use nor matches anything they ever made. Also, they tell me that they mold their serial numbers into the fiberglass on their Hulls on the Starboard Top of The Transom. This hull has a metal plate with the number on it in the same location. Boy....am I confused. The previous owner bought it from a dealer in 1995. His title/registration lists it as a Contender 1985, 19'. No such animal made by Four Winns as I indicated. Also, there are no Four Winns decals (logo) on the starboard and port sterns. So...what does anyone out there think I have? I think I have a Four Winns Horizon and for some reason someone has changed the serial numbers and name of the hull. And as far as the engine goes, I have no idea. This boat is in great shape and was given to me by a family member.<br />Can anyone help?<br />

 

[Trent]

Re: Serial No. Confusion and Engine Question

Whats the hull serial number?

 

[mcpo]

Re: Serial No. Confusion and Engine Question

Trent: I don't have it with me currently. However I do know it starts with a CU

 

[mcpo]

Re: Serial No. Confusion and Engine Question

Also, the last two digits are 85 which I understand indicates the year.

 

[Trent]

Re: Serial No. Confusion and Engine Question

You need the first three letters to know the manufacturer of a boat made after 1972.

 

[mcpo]

Re: Serial No. Confusion and Engine Question

Trent: Got it. Here is what I'm told the metal tag on the Hull Transom says: CUO50186C585<br />There is a tag on the glove box that says Contender.<br />The regristration has this as the serial number and name also. Like I said, the owner (a relative) says it is a Four Winns. It has a 3.8 Buick V6.<br />Looking at the 1985 Four Winns Brochure for the Horizon 190/192 - it is identical except for the color of the interior, which has been redone anyway.<br />Thanks

 

[medic]

Re: Serial No. Confusion and Engine Question

mcpo,<br /><br />got this for you. like the manufacturer of my boat, they are out of business. hope it gives you a start in the right direction.<br /><br /> http://www.uscgboating.org/recalls/mic_detail.aspx?id=CUO

 

[Trent]

Re: Serial No. Confusion and Engine Question

Looks like it was Condender. However this is all I could find since they are out of business.<br /><br /> Contender

 

[Trent]

Re: Serial No. Confusion and Engine Question

Guess medic beat me to it.

 

[mcpo]

Re: Serial No. Confusion and Engine Question

Boy, you guys are great! That must be it. Of course, it says they are out of business. I tried the phone number and got a fax machine. I wonder how in the world I would get info on this boat.<br />I guess since the boat looks identical to a Four Winns Horizon 190, I mean same color scheme and all, <br />so since this boat came from a Custom Boat Place, it must have been the hull of the Horizon and then customized. Does that sound reasonable? The only thing I can see customized tho is the engine being different. It is a 3.8 Buick.

 

[Trent]

Re: Serial No. Confusion and Engine Question

One thing Im wondering is that their is a boat company in Tx that builds a Contender but they are bigger vessels....I wonder if they just quit building the smaller boats??? Might give them a call. Do a search and you will find Condender boats in Tx.<br /><br />By the way you keep saying you have a 3.8?? Do you have a Mercrusier powerpackage?? Color is Black??

 

[mcpo]

Re: Serial No. Confusion and Engine Question

Trent: I picked it up today. It is an OMC 3.8 165 horse. I'm guessing the lower unit is also an OMC. <br />The number on the motor is 826387 and the number on the lower unit (outdrive) is 313229.<br /><br />It hasn't been started since about 1999. I hooked up a regular car battery to see if it got any juice. The engine turned over very slowly (I'm guessing because the cranking amps isn't enough to start it, although I was not ready to start it, just seeing if the engine turned any. It has power trim/tilt, and I tried to lower it, the switch clicked on and off, but the unit didn't move. It is already up and would bump in the up position, but would not move down. Could that be from not enough amps to it until I get a regular Marine Battery hooked up? The steering cable is broken. Any ideas where to order one? I can fix it, just need the parts. The steering is not hydraulic....just cable. <br /><br />As far as Centender goes. Yes, there was a Contender Custom Boat Builder here in Texas in business from 81 to 87. This is an 85. The Hull is without a doubt a Four Winns Horizon 19 foot hull with interior, dash and all. Looks like they ordered the hull from Four Winns and then customized the rest (engine, outdrive, etc.) There is not a Contender Boat Builder here anymore.<br /><br />Thanks for all your help.<br /><br />Cal

 

[mcpo]

Re: Serial No. Confusion and Engine Question

Trent: Additional info. I said OMC, that's because that it what it says on the engine in big letters on the water things at the top on both sides of the engine. The engine is silver, not black.<br />Thanks.