Should I buy a four winns fling?

[sporanox]

This will be my first boat. I am looking for a boat the size of a fling. I have a chance to purchase a 1994 fling with trailer and cover for $2300. Is this a good boat for a novice? Is this a fair price? Thanks for the info.

 

[tcbigblock]

Re: Should I buy a four winns fling?

I have a 1999 four winns 225 soundowner cutty cabin an I have had it for three years now,I love that boat it seems to be very well made.the price dosent sound bad if thay took care of it .have fun !!

 

[JoLin]

Re: Should I buy a four winns fling?

Hi and welcome to iboats!

Is the Fling a jet boat? That's a different animal.

 

[oldjeep]

Re: Should I buy a four winns fling?

It's like buying a big jetski. Make sure that the impeller, spout and gate are not trashed and that the motor is running decent (water test). They are cool little boats but get beat on like a jet ski.

 

[sporanox]

Re: Should I buy a four winns fling?

It's like buying a big jetski. Make sure that the impeller, spout and gate are not trashed and that the motor is running decent (water test). They are cool little boats but get beat on like a jet ski.

Any easy way to tell if the impeller, spout and gate are not trashed?

 

[oldjeep]

Re: Should I buy a four winns fling?

You have to look at them - look into the jet drive from the rear and you can see the impeller, look for it being bent or chipped. Probabally be a wear ring in there too, make sure that it isn't all hacked up. If you don't know what you are looking for, find someone who does to bring along.

 

[Bob_VT]

Re: Should I buy a four winns fling?

Welcome aboard.

The fling was part of the short lived OMC ownership. They had many maintenance problems and were only okay when they were new.

Kind of slow and under powered....... the engines were also known for over heating problems.

 

[sporanox]

Re: Should I buy a four winns fling?

Welcome aboard.

The fling was part of the short lived OMC ownership. They had many maintenance problems and were only okay when they were new.

Kind of slow and under powered....... the engines were also known for over heating problems.

Was there a known fix for the overheating? Are parts still available?

 

[86 century]

Re: Should I buy a four winns fling?

Yes you can fix the over heat.

Parts for the eng are easy it's an eveinrude crossflow v4 solid and reliable.

The jet is a different story they are fairly robust but parts are Real expensive and hard to find.

Unless you are a dig type person I would pass.

The merc sporjet isn't bad however the seadoo jetboats are tuff and share powerplants with the jetski's.

 

[RotaryRacer]

Re: Should I buy a four winns fling?

The fling was part of the short lived OMC ownership. They had many maintenance problems and were only okay when they were new.

Kind of slow and under powered....... the engines were also known for over heating problems.

I am a huge fan of Four Winns. I will not buy a Fling. Ever. Not just because it is a Fling, but b/c the OMC TurboJet is just not something I would want to have to own, maintain, or buy gas for.

It is unfortunate as the Fling is otherwise a nice little package.


Oh, and OMC owned Four Winns from 1988 - 2000. I guess in some respects that is short lived, but it was actually a pretty important part of the history and future of Four Winns.

 

[rogerwa]

Re: Should I buy a four winns fling?

If you don't already know the jet will be poor on gas compared to a similar hp prop drive.

 

[sporanox]

Re: Should I buy a four winns fling?

Yes you can fix the over heat.

Parts for the eng are easy it's an eveinrude crossflow v4 solid and reliable.

The jet is a different story they are fairly robust but parts are Real expensive and hard to find.

Unless you are a dig type person I would pass.

The merc sporjet isn't bad however the seadoo jetboats are tuff and share powerplants with the jetski's.

I think I am going to pass on the fling based on the helpful advise. I do like the size and shape of the boat, are there any recommendations to comparable models I should look for in my search. Many thanks once again.

 

[ezmobee]

Re: Should I buy a four winns fling?

I think I am going to pass on the fling based on the helpful advise. I do like the size and shape of the boat, are there any recommendations to comparable models I should look for in my search. Many thanks once again.

That depends, are you specifically looking for a jet boat? or would any smallish bowrider do? For a first boat that's inexpensive and has less chance to drain your wallet with repairs I usually recommend an aluminum hull with an outboard. Something like this:

 

[Don S]

Re: Should I buy a four winns fling?

The Bayliner Jazz was a similar type boat, but don't get the early 90's ones. The powerheads are NLA and nothing to replace it. Later ones no problem.

 

[ezmobee]

Re: Should I buy a four winns fling?

The Bayliner Jazz was a similar type boat, but don't get the early 90's ones. The powerheads are NLA and nothing to replace it. Later ones no problem.

SugarSand is another one. I think they mostly used the Merc jets which are pretty good.

 

[sporanox]

Re: Should I buy a four winns fling?

That depends, are you specifically looking for a jet boat? or would any smallish bowrider do? For a first boat that's inexpensive and has less chance to drain your wallet with repairs I usually recommend an aluminum hull with an outboard. Something like this:

The bowrider would do as well, any suggestion for a model and price range.

 

[spoilsofwar]

Re: Should I buy a four winns fling?

If you're dead set on a small jet boat I would go with an older (mid/late 90's) sea-doo speedster or sportster. Find one that is powered by a single or twin 720 rotax (really a 717 cc), and you'll be set. They run forever and parts are plentiful and cheap. The 580/650/720 series of rotax motors were and are almost indestructible. I've owned 5 of them over the years, and not a single issue.

 

[H20Rat]

Re: Should I buy a four winns fling?

If you're dead set on a small jet boat I would go with an older (mid/late 90's) sea-doo speedster or sportster. Find one that is powered by a single or twin 720 rotax (really a 717 cc), and you'll be set. They run forever and parts are plentiful and cheap. The 580/650/720 series of rotax motors were and are almost indestructible. I've owned 5 of them over the years, and not a single issue.

They came with a single 720? That has to be somewhat of a dog, that engine wasn't exactly overpowered in a light pwc... I know there were single 787's, but a 787 also has 75% more horsepower than a 720. (787 is probably the best high performance engine seadoo ever had, those things run forever!)

 

[spoilsofwar]

Re: Should I buy a four winns fling?

They came with a single 720? That has to be somewhat of a dog, that engine wasn't exactly overpowered in a light pwc... I know there were single 787's, but a 787 also has 75% more horsepower than a 720. (787 is probably the best high performance engine seadoo ever had, those things run forever!)

I think very early sportsters were available with a single 720, while the speedster and challengers were twin engine. I agree a single 720 would not be a speed demon, but then again neither would a FW Fling, which the OP was considering.

The 787 was also a good engine, though I would not say it was more reliable then the earlier 580/650/720 family of rotax's. Performance-wise, it was much superior.

 

[sporanox]

Re: Should I buy a four winns fling?

That depends, are you specifically looking for a jet boat? or would any smallish bowrider do? For a first boat that's inexpensive and has less chance to drain your wallet with repairs I usually recommend an aluminum hull with an outboard. Something like this:

what is a good smaller bow rider to get? What about engine size and brand? Is $2000 unreasonable for an older boat? Many noob questions.