Interesting Modifications

RotaryRacer · **Posted:** Tue Aug 28, 2012 11:43 am

Does anyone know this boat?:

http://nmi.craigslist.org/boa/3233752067.html

I am NOT interested in buying, I just notice several interesting details on this boat.

Someone has done some interesting mods to this boat. It almost makes me think it was a factory one off or something.

The OMC in a boat that is listed as a 2002 is a bit of a red flag though.

Kelleyo · **Posted:** Tue Aug 28, 2012 2:16 pm

I read the note and do not see any mods that are not factory except for the tower... What am I missing?

DOH! Now I see what you all saw :oops:

ric · **Posted:** Tue Aug 28, 2012 2:27 pm

Engine/drive swap

RotaryRacer · **Posted:** Tue Aug 28, 2012 2:28 pm

The swim platform is upholstered/padded.

The gauges and housing seem to be from a much more recent model.

The front bow rail could be factory, but I don't recall seeing many that had that tall of a rail.

It has an OMC drivetrain....which if it really is a 2002....well, there are certainly ways for an OMC to end up in a boat built in 2002, but I don't know of anyone in their right mind doing it.

I'm actually thinking the boat may be a 1994 or earlier that has had a lot of updates to the interior etc.

I don't know. It just seemed like a few things look different that I have seen in a regular factory stock boat.

Cap'n Morgan · **Posted:** Tue Aug 28, 2012 2:29 pm

Kelleyo wrote:

I read the note and do not see any mods that are not factory except for the tower... What am I missing?

One thing is that the 245 did not come with a vinyl swim platform as stock or as an option. The SS grab rails and ladder recess is also not stock.

Gauges on a 2002 were recessed in the burl wood and had black faces, this boat has newer white Faria gauges and a new style wheel.
Stock dash

Modified dash on this boat

Might have been a one off boat, or owner had some connections with FW and had modifications made to his liking.

RotaryRacer · **Posted:** Tue Aug 28, 2012 2:35 pm

Thanks Cap'n.

ric · **Posted:** Tue Aug 28, 2012 2:36 pm

What it really is... is probably a salvage boat someone got for dirt cheap and pieced it together. Since OMC/VP are the same bolt patterns and drive, getting an older carby motor would be cheap.

1998 was the the last year for OMC Cobra offerings. That's not a 2002 dash (or any sundowner dash). That's a 2009+ steering wheel. The shifter handle is period correct for 2002 though. It's a jigsaw puzzle. Run

Cap'n Morgan · **Posted:** Tue Aug 28, 2012 2:44 pm

I would not run from that boat at all. It's a tasetfully done modified boat. Done with newer Four Winns components, and some custom touches like the tinted hatch (stock was white),retangular cabin mirror with logo (Stock was oval), woodgrain larger than stock cabin table to name a few.

Here is my theory. Kalkaska is very close to Cadillac, and my guess is the owner may be an employee of FW, or had an aquaintance that was.
He ordered custom parts, had them installed properly, and changed the look of an older boat to look more modern. Sure beats some of the bling mod's I have seen done on boats these days. If I was looking for a big cuddy, I would take a good look at this one. Even with the OMC :wink:

RR, I'll look for the boat when we are up on Torch Lake next weekend. Hopefully he will be out and I can raft up and chat about the boat.

ric · **Posted:** Tue Aug 28, 2012 3:01 pm

Well, it's 260hp so it's not that slow. I would love to know why the drivetrain was swapped out.

Graham R · **Posted:** Tue Aug 28, 2012 4:34 pm

Cap'n Morgan wrote:

Kelleyo wrote:

I read the note and do not see any mods that are not factory except for the tower... What am I missing?

One thing is that the 245 did not come with a vinyl swim platform as stock or as an option. The SS grab rails and ladder recess is also not stock.

Gauges on a 2002 were recessed in the burl wood and had black faces, this boat has newer white Faria gauges and a new style wheel.
Stock dash

Modified dash on this boat

Might have been a one off boat, or owner had some connections with FW and had modifications made to his liking.

I think the ladder recess is "stock"; just with the cover/ lid removed

My standard 225 had a grabrail just there as well

Cap'n Morgan · **Posted:** Tue Aug 28, 2012 6:23 pm

Yep, I was wrong about the ladder . Thanks for pointing that out.

The grab handle on this boatl is not stock on a 245 sundowner. it may be on a 225 sundowner, I have no idea.
Here is a stock 2002 245 Sundowner showing ladder/grab rail that was stock.

Gresh24 · **Posted:** Wed Aug 29, 2012 8:50 am

ric wrote:

1998 was the the last year for OMC Cobra offerings. That's not a 2002 dash (or any sundowner dash). That's a 2009+ steering wheel. The shifter handle is period correct for 2002 though. It's a jigsaw puzzle. Run

I find it ironic that you are suggesting people run from a boat that has been updated/modified...

Kvou812 · **Posted:** Wed Aug 29, 2012 9:11 am

My 08' has the exact same steering wheel and guages

ric · **Posted:** Wed Aug 29, 2012 9:26 am

Gresh24 wrote:

I find it ironic that you are suggesting people run from a boat that has been updated/modified...

Yes, from the fact it's a 2002 with a mid 1990's engine and talked about like it's stock. That's why.

Gresh24 · **Posted:** Wed Aug 29, 2012 9:34 am

ric wrote:

Yes, from the fact it's a 2002 with a mid 1990's engine and talked about like it's stock. That's why.

It certainly is a concern and an issue needing clarication, but I wouldn't say a sole reason to run.

You used the dash and steering wheel mods as justification that it was a 'jigsaw puzzle' as well.

www.iFourWinns.com

Interesting Modifications

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