1987 FW 210H: A good move for my first boat?

jsimon · **Posted:** Thu Jul 25, 2013 11:42 am

ric wrote:

Well thanks!

I search craigslist and other classifieds every day. Always looking for my next big deal. If that 1987 boat was close to me I would go see it with friends just to laugh at him for asking 3x what it's worth. I hate it when people try to scam.

Judging the classifieds in the last month it's quite possibly the worst time to even think about purchasing a boat. I know it's July and you want to get on the water, but with a 10k budget you're not going to be happy with what you can purchase right now.

It seems that you want a 19-21ft bowrider? Set your sights on a 1999-2003 Horizon 200 to Horizon 220. I'm not saying there isn't deals out there because there is:

http://www.boattrader.com/listing/2001- ... -102060172

2001 H200, V8, Tower, perfect pass. Asking 9,950. That's a deal. Always have it inspected by a dealer and if you live across the country shipping isn't expensive. I use this retired fellow that wants nothing but gas money to tow it virtually anywhere. He gets to see the USA for almost free. He uses a beefed up late model lincoln town car. Air bags, brake controller, load balancing hitch, big v8, the works. He's good for up to around 24ft.

About shipping across the country. Something that has been mentioned here before is Uship. Its an ebay like website for shippers. I bought my boat trailer and had it delvered to me in michigan from Minnesota for less than the the fuel for me to drive there and bring it back.

AdLow · **Joined:** Wed Jul 24, 2013 1:11 pm **Posts:** 3

Everyone --

The great information keeps coming. Thank you all!

I can certainly say this: if Four Winns boats are anywhere as solid and well-made as all of you are kind and generous with your advice, I will be in good shape. And I can also say this: I am most definitely NOT going to get that 1987 210. I had inklings that it was overpriced, but you all made that clear and also offered other compelling reasons why I need to look at something newer.

As for an earlier question, we live on the Atlantic coast in eastern Florida, near Cape Canaveral, so we'd be boating pretty much full-time on salt water, either the ocean or the two rivers that run through our county. Speaking of that, what are your thoughts on this: is it worth the extra effort to try to find a boat that has been used only or primarily in fresh water? Should that be a guiding criteria?

And the info on shipping answers another major question. If I see a boat that I like but it's halfway or more across the country, what do I do? Now I know. Now Ric, you talked about the gentleman who you've used. Is he available, if need be? Or I could consult the Uship that Jsimon mentioned.

And if I do get one from a place far away, e.g. California, can I still hire someone to inspect it for me?

Of course I'm really jazzed to move forward with something sooner rather than later. Is the waiting until winter approach recommended because sellers will jack up their prices during the summer?

LouC · **Posted:** Thu Jul 25, 2013 2:25 pm

Salt water get a dual console (salt water friendly bow rider) with outboard power. I/Os are a lot of maintenance in salt, been there done that won't be doing it for the next one.

Find out which outboard motor has the best service where you are (probably Yamaha) and get a boat with one of them on it. Key West is a good mid priced boat of this type.

No need to buy from far away, you're in Fla surrounded by water gotta be thousands of boats for sale.

rpengr · **Posted:** Thu Jul 25, 2013 2:44 pm

LouC wrote:

No need to buy from far away, you're in Fla surrounded by water gotta be thousands of boats for sale.

Well Florida has the lowest priced used boats, but also tends to have the worst condition used boats. Due to:
Sun Exposure (High UV)
Rain Exposure
Salt Exposure
Lack of Winterization Maintenance performed
Lack of storage barns

But there are exceptions.

jsimon · **Posted:** Thu Jul 25, 2013 2:59 pm

AdLow wrote:

Everyone --

The great information keeps coming. Thank you all!

I can certainly say this: if Four Winns boats are anywhere as solid and well-made as all of you are kind and generous with your advice, I will be in good shape. And I can also say this: I am most definitely NOT going to get that 1987 210. I had inklings that it was overpriced, but you all made that clear and also offered other compelling reasons why I need to look at something newer.

As for an earlier question, we live on the Atlantic coast in eastern Florida, near Cape Canaveral, so we'd be boating pretty much full-time on salt water, either the ocean or the two rivers that run through our county. Speaking of that, what are your thoughts on this: is it worth the extra effort to try to find a boat that has been used only or primarily in fresh water? Should that be a guiding criteria?

And the info on shipping answers another major question. If I see a boat that I like but it's halfway or more across the country, what do I do? Now I know. Now Ric, you talked about the gentleman who you've used. Is he available, if need be? Or I could consult the Uship that Jsimon mentioned.

And if I do get one from a place far away, e.g. California, can I still hire someone to inspect it for me?

Of course I'm really jazzed to move forward with something sooner rather than later. Is the waiting until winter approach recommended because sellers will jack up their prices during the summer?

When I purchased our current boat, I bought it off a fellow forum member, but it was in New Jersey. I researched and contacted a few different marine inspectors. Found one I liked, hired him and he did a fantastic job for me, so yeah you can still get it inspected. I almost bought it sight unseen (except for pics and the inpection) but decieded to fly out and take it out on the water first.

I have used uship for a few things at work too, and its has worked out great.

LouC · **Posted:** Thu Jul 25, 2013 4:15 pm

rpengr wrote:

LouC wrote:

No need to buy from far away, you're in Fla surrounded by water gotta be thousands of boats for sale.

Well Florida has the lowest priced used boats, but also tends to have the worst condition used boats. Due to:
Sun Exposure (High UV)
Rain Exposure
Salt Exposure
Lack of Winterization Maintenance performed
Lack of storage barns

But there are exceptions.

I would not doubt any of this, that's why I say get a saltwater/fishing style boat because they are designed to be left outside and many if not most here are left open with no covers. Now for bowriders/cuddys most people here keep them covered because the vinyls used cannot take constant sun exposure.
Also the salt water boats are self bailing and therefore safer. In my opinion outboard power is safer for small boats too. Why? Well no concern about fuel fumes in the bilge, you can't have a cooling hose pop off and fill the bilge with salt water and there is no driveshaft bellows to leak water into the boat. They cost more initially but will last longer with fewer headaches and less work for the owner. I've been able to make an I/O last a long time in salt but here we have only a 6 month season. No way would I want one in Fla, or any salt region with a longer boating season.

ric · **Posted:** Thu Jul 25, 2013 6:24 pm

I live in the Winter Springs area about an hour away from you... boat deals are to be had around here. I'll keep an eye out for something local

www.iFourWinns.com

1987 FW 210H: A good move for my first boat?

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