1994 Four Winns 230 Horizon

Azboatguy · **Posted:** Thu Oct 18, 2012 5:07 pm

Hi, I'm getting a 1994 FW 230 Horizon with a 454. I just wanted input on this boat from previous or current owners... good, bad, whatever. It'll be my first boat.

http://phoenix.craigslist.org/wvl/boa/3288193173.html

LouC · **Posted:** Thu Oct 18, 2012 8:38 pm

Boat looks good, but is that a cone clutch OMC Cobra I see there? They were a very stout drive but parts can be hard to come by. Hard to tell in the pic but I do think its the OMC Cone Clutch that was only made from like 90-94/5 or so.

Azboatguy · **Posted:** Fri Oct 19, 2012 4:01 am

Yea I've heard the same think about the cobras. I haven't been able to find another 230 Horizon with a 454 in it. Should be interesting/fun.

NiagaraChillin · **Posted:** Fri Oct 19, 2012 7:26 am

From the Craigslist ad: "I bought this boat as a project from the original owner"

Warning flags, anytime someone buys a project boat, then sells it as a project boat, rough times ahead. Please before you open your wallet, have the owner take it to a marina and get a survey/inspection done. Just from the pics I can see wires and stuff hanging from under dash, seats cracked and faded, etc. Curious on why he didn't have pics of the 454, since that was his opening line in the add. Actually, I thought in 1994, FW's only used Ford engines, so that OMC package might be the 460 King Cobra.

Oh yeah, welcome to the forum!

Azboatguy · **Posted:** Fri Oct 19, 2012 7:43 am

Yea I was thinking those wires had something to do with the radio, especially since the radio isn't there... Which is fine. I go test drive it Sunday, make sure it runs fine. Cosmetic work I don't mind, but any major mechanical issues, no thanks.

Azboatguy · **Posted:** Fri Oct 19, 2012 7:45 am

BTW.... Anything I should know about 460 King Cobra? Except the parts problem.

ric · **Posted:** Fri Oct 19, 2012 8:07 am

Anything with the word "Project" in it means it's due for the scrapyard but someone is trying to make a quick dollar. Run away

NiagaraChillin · **Posted:** Fri Oct 19, 2012 9:28 am

Azboatguy wrote:

BTW.... Anything I should know about 460 King Cobra? Except the parts problem.

The 460 (if that is what it is) is a fine engine, nothing to say good or bad really. But I strongly suggest a real survey/inspection before purchase. If anything, at least take a mechanic with you on the ride to look it over. Sooooo many things can be wrong with a 18 year old project boat, many of which cannot be "seen" at first look. Not trying to scare you away from the boat, or be a downer, but....

230 Mike · **Posted:** Fri Oct 19, 2012 10:17 am

I agree. It might be the deal of a lifetime. Or, it might be a nightmare wrapped around a big block. No big block is worth the nightmare. There are lots of boats on the market.

Azboatguy · **Posted:** Fri Oct 19, 2012 11:07 am

I appreciate everybody's replys to this. What happened was the 1st owner didn't take care of it causing the bearing to seize. He didn't know how to fix it, and couldn't afford it at the time so he was gonna part it off. The guy who has it now, is a certified mechanic, also has welding, fabrication, machinery. He got the parts and fixed the engine up good. Says the 1st owner took the radio out, which is why wires are hanging. So it needs a new radio system, and the upholstery is a little faded. Has a few marks n small scratches, but everything else is in good condition. I'm taking it out on the lake Sunday. If I don't reply back on Monday, I'm at the bottom of the lake lol.

Azboatguy · **Posted:** Fri Oct 19, 2012 11:48 am

The reason he is selling it is because his wife wants to keep their cruiser that has a bed, toilet, etc... So he's selling the boat as is. Good engine, just minor repairs, cosmetics.

rpengr · **Posted:** Fri Oct 19, 2012 11:52 am

Azboatguy wrote:

I appreciate everybody's replys to this. What happened was the 1st owner didn't take care of it causing the bearing to seize. He didn't know how to fix it, and couldn't afford it at the time so he was gonna part it off. The guy who has it now, is a certified mechanic, also has welding, fabrication, machinery. He got the parts and fixed the engine up good. Says the 1st owner took the radio out, which is why wires are hanging. So it needs a new radio system, and the upholstery is a little faded. Has a few marks n small scratches, but everything else is in good condition. I'm taking it out on the lake Sunday. If I don't reply back on Monday, I'm at the bottom of the lake lol.

So he only intended to fix the mechanical, then flip it? That's fine...
But I would guess he might have only paid $2k or less. I think you should try for $4000. Assuming there is no wood rot in the floor.

NiagaraChillin · **Posted:** Fri Oct 19, 2012 12:23 pm

Azboatguy wrote:

The guy who has it now, is a certified mechanic, also has welding, fabrication, machinery.

A certified mechanic should know the difference between a 454 (as advertised) and a 460. FW did not offer a 454 in 1994, they were using Ford engines then. Unless he re-powered it, which would mean ALOT of changes to original powertrain. Just sayin :wink:

The bearing that seized, would that be the gimble? If so, that would wreak havoc on the input shaft and possibly the U-Joints, stub shaft, and drive itself. Again, not trying to negative, but these are serious problems that could put you at the bottom of that lake. Be sure to ask what, specifically, what he replaced/repaired.

Oh, and I agree with rpengr, offer about 4k for it, if it all checks out.

rpengr · **Posted:** Fri Oct 19, 2012 1:32 pm

The trailer looks nice in the picture, but keep in mind that these Painted Four Winns trailers have no rust protection on the inside of the tubes. They rust from the inside out. Very bad in salt water, but that one looks fresh water used. Check out this thread to see what can happen:
http://www.smwebhead.com/phpBB3/viewtopic.php?f=12&t=10269&p=98729&hilit=trailer+rusted#p98729
You could tap along the bottom with a small hammer to listen for weak spots...especially right in front of the leaf spring attachments.

Try to find out how old the exhaust risers and manifolds are. They are easy to change, but you will lay out near $1000 when it's time to change them.
http://www.ebasicpower.com

On the plus side...that is a big roomy boat. I have a 240 with an enclosed head, but that 230 without a head has a HUGE bow riding area. It is a lot of boat for the money if it doesn't have major problems.

FourWinnKC · **Posted:** Fri Oct 19, 2012 2:30 pm

I recently purchased a '92 Horizon with a 454 King Cobra cone clutch. Some parts are not easy to find, but quite a few parts are still available. One part I was quite excited to find was Sea Way marine offers impellers now...no longer searching like crazy or pay huge $ for original OMC ones. I did a lot of research and found numerous sources for the parts as well as mechanics around the various lakes I plan to boat at. The drives are very strong and can give many many years of trouble free service if, like most things, properly taken care of.

I'd be curious how many hours are on the boat. If the gimble went out, how was the rest of the components...u joint, bellow's, shafts, etc.

Oh and I could be mistaken, but the 454 was available in '94

www.iFourWinns.com

1994 Four Winns 230 Horizon

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