Yes or No? '95 Fling for $500

[mmacro]

A friend is offering me a '95 Four Winns Fling w/trailer that has been garage kept. The trailer has a new mounted spare and is in great shape. The hull and seats are in excellent shape. He wants $500 for the boat and trailer because he has to move and has another boat, two motorcycles and a trailer to move.

The engine was overheated by another person and he tore down the engine and honed the 2 cylinders on that side and replaced the rings. It runs fine at idle, but under load the engine overheats. It has a water strainer on the engine. He added an inline 12v water pump that does nearly 300 gallons an hour to ensure water is going through the engine.

We strongly suspect the fuel pump as the problem since it mixes the oil into the 2-stoke engine. The oil tank has a primer bulb that is rock hard, so it seems that the oil is not flowing into the engine. It's an easy test to mix a tank of gas/oil to see if it runs fine that way.

I think the hull and trailer are worth more than the $500. There is a guy in NY that sells rebuilt OMC powerheads with a year warranty for the jet drive for under $2,000 I think.

Is this a deal I should jump on?

 

[180Fisherman]

Re: Yes or No? '95 Fling for $500

The real question sounds like '95 Fling for $500 that needs a new engine for $3000. Yes or No? When I buy toys the price paid is more a comparison of fun per $ rather than am i getting the absolue best deal possible.

 

[mmacro]

Re: Yes or No? '95 Fling for $500

I agree on the money spent compared to fun had: I also skydive.

But I was hoping to get some feedback on the cost of the boat/trailer vs the possibility of having to spend around $2,000 for the new power head that I know I could install if necessary.

Overall... is it worth considering to purchase (if I had $3,000 total into the boat and at that point it ran great and was in great condition) or would I be better off looking for a different boat?

 

[180Fisherman]

Re: Yes or No? '95 Fling for $500

IF that is the style of boat you are looking for then I'd say for $3000 with new power you won't do much better. Those are very small and limited purpose boats though so be sure you don't fish, want to take too many people with you and that the body of water you plan to use it on doesn't get too rough too often? You mention a powerhead. Isn't that one of those little jet boats?

 

[mmacro]

Re: Yes or No? '95 Fling for $500

Yea, it is a jet drive.

I drive a Wrangler so I'm limited to the size of the boat I can pull anyway. It's just me, my wife and our 1 1/2 year old daughter.

I fish, but not anything heavy duty. Just recreational fishing.

And I'm miltiary so weight is an issue since we move often.

This little boat seems the perfect match. The only concern is that the jet drive is not built anymore. There are sources for the parts and power heads.

 

[180Fisherman]

Re: Yes or No? '95 Fling for $500

Buying any used boat will be a gamble. Those little jet boats are basically large jet-skis with all of the same trials and tribulations. If you think you will have fun with it and can keep it running than I'd say go for it. This is assuming the $3K plus $500-$1,000 per year in maintenance and repairs plus operating costs can be asborbed unnoticed. The little things definitely add up as I was reminded when I once again bought my current boat after being out of boating for a while. Boat insurance, registration, trailer registration and maintenance,storage, fuel, all the little pumps, switches, lights etc will nickle and dime you. Heck, even jsut cleaning supplies will run you about $150 a year.

 

[maharg]

Re: Yes or No? '95 Fling for $500

With having a little one I would suggest something with a better ride. I have a little one too and our boat gets bouncy at times (its a 2 and a half feet longer and considerably deeper). These boats handle well and go well, but they are by no means a comfortable ride, the rattle your teeth and your kidneys will take a beating. I would hold out for something larger if I were in your shoes. The last thing you want is a boat that your little one is scared of.

 

[Steve Mahler]

Re: Yes or No? '95 Fling for $500

I like these small jet boats, and really want one to add to my fleet of watercraft. However, I know too many people who have had lots of trouble with the older ones, and I dont think I would suggest it for a primary boat.

A close friend of mine had one with the merc sport jet 90; quite underpowered, struggled to do more than 30mph and was very finnicky to keep running right. He sold in spring, bought a mid 90s 17ft bowrider with merc 3.0 for same money - about 3 grand. The conventional boat is much roomier, faster, and more reliable. This would be my suggestion.

However if you are set on this concept, I would recommend doing as you are, buy a blown one, and have it completely rebuilt. Then I would run it on pre-mix gas and eliminate the oil pump mechanism. I have been watching for a deal just as you describe....but like I said, it would replace my jetski - not our family boat. I really just want a jetski that has a little more room.