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PostPosted: Mon Aug 18, 2014 6:57 pm 
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Seahorse

Joined: Mon Aug 18, 2014 6:29 pm
Posts: 22
Location: Ohio
I recently bought the above mentioned boat and had some general questions that I am hoping someone can shed some light onto.
    I was told by the seller that it had an alpha 1 out drive. Since talking to other people they have suggested that it would have a bravo since it is set up with a 454 big block
    There is some deterioration forward of the engine behind where the back bench seat is. It appears that it isn't in the seat back but rather the piece running across the hull behind the gas tank. I didn't know if this was a major structural issue that I need to address right away? I will attempt to post a picture as soon as I have time to get one.
    The wheel is very difficult to turn if it is turned all the way in one direction. Normal steering is what I assume it would be for a boat it's age, size and horsepower.

I fell in love with this boat at first sight but am hoping that I haven't made a huge lemon purchase. Oh and I am in the Columbus Ohio area.


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PostPosted: Mon Aug 18, 2014 7:54 pm 
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Location: ohio
how bad is the damage ? do you have power steering or manual . could be a worn steering cable

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PostPosted: Mon Aug 18, 2014 7:59 pm 
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Location: Austin, TX
It's very well possible someone blew up the Bravo and replaced it with an Alpha One.

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2015 Yamaha FZR - 87mph - sold
2006 Yamaha GP1300R - sold
2003 Chaparral 215 SSI - sold
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1976 O'day Daysailer II - sold

Rick's Four Winns H180 Mods/Upgrade Thread


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PostPosted: Mon Aug 18, 2014 8:19 pm 
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Seahorse

Joined: Mon Aug 18, 2014 6:29 pm
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Location: Ohio
Crossram: it has power steering. The deterioration is not real bad. Looks like it got wet at some point and is sort of coming apart. I will try to get a picture of it tomorrow.

Ric: I was told it was the original alpha that came with the boat.


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PostPosted: Mon Aug 18, 2014 8:32 pm 
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Location: Austin, TX
Oh man, you're right. In 1987 Mercury did mate the 330hp 454 with an Alpha One.

Hope you got it for really cheap. Better hope you can sell it or a profit ASAP.

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1981 Columbia 8.7
2015 Yamaha FZR - 87mph - sold
2006 Yamaha GP1300R - sold
2003 Chaparral 215 SSI - sold
2009 Stingray 195CS - sold
2000 Four Winns H180 - sold
1976 O'day Daysailer II - sold

Rick's Four Winns H180 Mods/Upgrade Thread


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PostPosted: Mon Aug 18, 2014 8:42 pm 
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Location: Long Island NY
I recall reading about that, the 454 mated to an Alpha. Since the Alpha is limited to about 300 hp, if you drive it easy, no throttle to the max starts, it may last a fair amount of time. To up grade to a Bravo won't be economically feasible unless you can get all the needed parts (drive, transom inner mount, outer mount, trim rams, steering, etc the whole enchilada) used at a good price. Bravos are great but they are expensive.

The wood rot, well post up a pic and let's see what it looks like. Been there done that. If its not too bad you might be able to patch that section and re-glass it.

One thing I'd tell anyone with an older boat with plywood cored decks, if your deck is solid and is covered with carpet, GET RID OF THE CARPET. All it does is rot wood because it holds moisture. Get rid of that crappy carpet, re-glass the deck, gelcoat it in non skid gelcoat and seal up all the holes to mount seats etc. More boats have been ruined because of carpet that has no place in an open boat than anything else.

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88 Four Winns 200 Horizon
4.3 OMC Cobra-4bbl
2002 Walker Bay 10/2012 Suzuki 2.5
2008 Walker Bay 8

1998 Jeep Grand Cherokee 4.0/Selectrac
2007 Jeep Grand Cherokee 5.7 Hemi/Quadradrive II


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PostPosted: Mon Aug 18, 2014 9:29 pm 
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Location: ohio
if its just at the bottom of the wood panel if front of fuel tank should be able to do a fiberglass repair on it
come on ric why do you have to blow every ones bubble

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PostPosted: Mon Aug 18, 2014 10:34 pm 
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Seahorse

Joined: Mon Aug 18, 2014 6:29 pm
Posts: 22
Location: Ohio
Thanks for the words of encouragement crossram! I'll try to grab some pictures Wednesday since I work 12 hour shifts and won't have light tomorrow when I get done with work. I see you are in Ohio also, what part are you in? Would be great of you were somewhat close so I could have someone knowledgable.


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PostPosted: Tue Aug 19, 2014 12:53 am 
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Location: Austin, TX
It's not his bubble that's going to blow.

_________________
1981 Columbia 8.7
2015 Yamaha FZR - 87mph - sold
2006 Yamaha GP1300R - sold
2003 Chaparral 215 SSI - sold
2009 Stingray 195CS - sold
2000 Four Winns H180 - sold
1976 O'day Daysailer II - sold

Rick's Four Winns H180 Mods/Upgrade Thread


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PostPosted: Sun Aug 24, 2014 10:37 pm 
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Seahorse

Joined: Mon Aug 18, 2014 6:29 pm
Posts: 22
Location: Ohio
So top of the list of things to do for this noob
1. Going to rip all the carpet this fall and glass and nonslip paint the deck/cuddy.
2. Repair bulk head behind fuel tank. Here's a link to the flikr with pictures of the damage https://www.flickr.com/x/t/0093009/photos/127147735@N03/
3. While out today, when I go from cruising speed to full throttle I get some lag from the engine. I was told by my uncle, a 20+ year boater, that it sounded like the fuel filters need replaced. Any advice as to where to look for these would be greatly appreciated.
4. Replace hatch on bow.

On a bright note, when arrived at marina today, one of the wheel bearings was shot and smoking. Luckily my uncle that came to meet me has a trailer by the same manufacturer (custom made trailer by a local company) and luckily had a spare bearing at his house. 3 hours later bearing was replaced and we were on the water.


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PostPosted: Mon Aug 25, 2014 10:31 am 
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Location: Long Island NY
That's a great looking boat, it will be worth putting money into it to fix typical old boat problems. Now what I'd do:
remove the hatch over the gas tank
see how far that rot goes
if the plywood is just rotted in one spot, but solid below it, you can cut out the bad section and scarf in a new section. You have to be very careful though because the tank is right there, and the fuel lines are too. If its all bad, then its a bigger job. I'd then have someone help you drain and remove the fuel tank and fix any rot you find in that area. And please GET RID OF THE CARPET, its what causes rot in the first place. Rip it all out, and have the deck re-glassed and gelcoated in non skid gelcoat.

take a look at this website:
www.rotdoc.com
if you use the CPES, make sure to wear a real fume respirator, gloves, googles etc.
I fixed a spot like that on the front bulkhead of the tank compartment about 5 years ago, cut out all the bad wood, treated with CPES, cut a patch panel and used their epoxy filler to fill in the gaps, glassed with epoxy came out great. CPES will kill the rot spores and small insects lol....

_________________
88 Four Winns 200 Horizon
4.3 OMC Cobra-4bbl
2002 Walker Bay 10/2012 Suzuki 2.5
2008 Walker Bay 8

1998 Jeep Grand Cherokee 4.0/Selectrac
2007 Jeep Grand Cherokee 5.7 Hemi/Quadradrive II


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PostPosted: Mon Aug 25, 2014 11:37 am 
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Seahorse

Joined: Mon Aug 18, 2014 6:29 pm
Posts: 22
Location: Ohio
When you say non skid gel coat do you mean something like this?
http://m.overtons.com/modperl/product/details.cgi?pdesc=Overtons-Tuff-Coat-Rubberized-Nonskid-Marine-Coating-gallon&i=73213

I was thinking I would drain the fuel tank and maybe remove it to give myself ample room to get in and remove any of the rot. I am very worried that if I don't I'll pierce the tank when cutting the rot out.


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