www.iFourWinns.com

I just purchased a '90 170 Freedom with what's labeled as a 2.5L OMC Cobra (was this engine even an option? lol), that the previous owner stated had no spark (I know, I know, never trust the previous owner). I confirmed it was a crank no-start issue, but don't have the time to narrow it down so I dropped it off yesterday at the local marina. Y'all probably know more about this boat than I do, so I thought I would start kind of a fun poll to guess the total estimate the repair shop comes back with. Feel free to ask questions, and I'll answer to the best of my knowledge. As far as I know, trim/tilt and all of the steering is functional, should just be a "driveability" issue.

If shop rates are anything like they are for cars ($100+/hr), I'd bet you're looking at around at least a days worth of labor + parts. That already puts you in the $1k+ range...

I'm going with that guess...

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1999 180 Horizon OB Fisherman Pkg
2013 Grand Cherokee 4x4 w/ 5.7 Hemi
San Antonio, TX

Before you put a lot of dough into this boat check the deck, transom and motor mount stringers for rot....

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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

LouC - I've gone through most of it; some of the plywood is a little warped, but everything underneath seems to be fine. At the very least, up here in WI we don't have saltwater; hopefully that works to my advantage. We're also persistent guys, even if we don't know exactly what we're doing. I know what you're gonna say, and sometimes it goes as badly as it does well, but we learn.


And, to the rest of the responses/votes, golly... I was kind of hoping it would be something like a new distributor or something easy/cheapish like that. Sounds like y'all think otherwise. At least I'll be prepared now!

If it was easy, maybe you could if found the time.... it seams like almost the smallest issue is 500-600 at the marine mechanic.... its all just a guess, we hope its a couple hundred....

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Current:
2000 Sea Ray 380 Sundancer "still Livin the Dream"

Past
2002 268 Vista 5.7 GXI "Livin' the Dream"
1996 Rinker 192 Captiva. "The Simple Life"
1999 Yamaha XLL 1200 Waverunner.
1976 Mercury Marquis tri hull 120 hp

Is "Not Cheap" a selection?
As LouC mentions deck rot is more of a concern and it usually comes from fresh water, most likely rain water that gets trapped or saturates the carpet. Salt water usually kills the bacteria that rots wood.

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--2002 3880 Regal Flybridge | Twin Merc 8.1HO **Seven**
--2003 AB 13 VST Console Inflatable | Tohatsu 40hp TLDI **Phish'n ski**
--310 Mercury Inflatable | 1982 9.9 Johnson

Anything involving a shop/mechanic will cost big bucks!
I spent almost $1000 on my outboard to determine that I had hair-line cracks in the carb bodies. Half of that amount was spent on items between the fuel tank all the way up to the fuel filter. Then he got to the carbs...

All because the motor would idle, but when throttled up would lose power and die.

It's only cheap if you can figure it out and work on it yourself. And I'm a quick learner when it comes to my checkbook!

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1999 180 Horizon OB Fisherman Pkg
2013 Grand Cherokee 4x4 w/ 5.7 Hemi
San Antonio, TX

Well you've got a 27 year old boat with a power package from a manufacturer that is no longer in business (OMC) and not a lot of mechanics work on them. The issue here is that you either pay for someone's trsining and expertise (ie the mechanic) or buy a shop manual and learn your self. If this boat still has a points and condenser ignition system these are very simple to troubleshoot in a no spark situation.
On the forums at Iboats. Com they have stickies in the I/O repair section that give good general troubleshooting steps. It can also be something simple like a safety lanyard not plugged in or a bad neutrsl safety switch.
As far as repair costs remember I or others on here who fix our own junk can take as much time as we need. Mechanics who run a business actually have to make a profit to stay in business and pay bills.

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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

You need to change your poll and start it with $1,000.

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Current Boat: 2000 Four Winns 298 Vista
Previous Boat: 2000 Carver 406MY

BOAT = Break Out Another Thousand

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2005 FW Horizon 250
8.1L VP DP

+1
I was looking for the $5000 and $10,000 choices.

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"Knot Easy" 2000 Horizon 240 Volvo 5.7GS /SX
tow: 2017 Honda PILOT EXL-AWD
prev. boats:
'87 Chaparral 198CXL 4.3 OMC Cobra
'69 Jetstar 16ft Ski Boat, 115hp Yamaha
'68 Aluminum Jon Boat, 3hp Sears
'64 Water Wings

Well, step one is apparently $268 for a new starter. I know I got it to crank, so it either gave out really coincidentally or they're lying. Either way, they have me over a barrel, because I can't currently get it running. Guess I'll bend over and see what they say next.....

A good marine starter is between 100-150. Are you willing to learn how to install it yourself to save a bit over $100?
Remember these guys are running a business. It's not a charity operation. So if you have an old boat you will:
Understand this principal and pay the bill;
Learn how to do it yourself;
Or realize that 25+year old boat will need more work than you want to pay for.
The options are forget about boating then or save a LOT more money and buy a late model boat. You wouldn't buy a 1990 car and expect it to get you to work reliably, right?
Then why do that with a boat?

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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

That's great advise! and it's coming from a guy with a 25+ year old boat who has rebuilt the floor and stingers, and has recently done a partial rebuild of the engine, and does all of his annual maintenance himself. Many thousands of dollars worth of work.

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"Knot Easy" 2000 Horizon 240 Volvo 5.7GS /SX
tow: 2017 Honda PILOT EXL-AWD
prev. boats:
'87 Chaparral 198CXL 4.3 OMC Cobra
'69 Jetstar 16ft Ski Boat, 115hp Yamaha
'68 Aluminum Jon Boat, 3hp Sears
'64 Water Wings

That was sort of my point above.... I do have most of the knowledge (10+ years as an auto tech), but I don't have the time. I'm smart enough to know that it's either time or money, so I'm willing to pay whatever the mechanic comes up with this time. Depending on how pricey it gets, that could be more motivation to figure it out myself in the future....

For now, we would just like to get some use out of it before fall (it comes early in WI ).