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1987 FW 210H: A good move for my first boat?
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Author:  AdLow [ Wed Jul 24, 2013 1:25 pm ]
Post subject:  1987 FW 210H: A good move for my first boat?
Hi, everyone.

So I'm considering a Four Winns 210 Horizon circa 1987 with 260HP Mercruiser Alpha One with 490 hours. This would be my first boat, for use with my family.

Seller is asking $8900. Seems high to me given the age and hours, but what do I know. Boat was used in freshwater in Texas and dry docked, according to seller, and is now for sale here in Florida. Comes with trailer, bimini, full cover, platform and ladder.

I saw in a previous post a nice checklist of things to look for when checking out used boats, so I have that at the ready. But any thoughts on whether it even makes sense to continue to explore this deal would be appreciated, and any general thoughts on what makes for a good first boat in the $8-10K range would be most welcome.

Thanks so much!
Author:  jsimon [ Wed Jul 24, 2013 2:07 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: 1987 FW 210H: A good move for my first boat?
I dont have any experience with that age and model of boat, but as some general advise. Buy your second boat first if that makes sense.

Why? Becuase in a year or 2 you will be selling it and buying a bigger, newer,fancier, whatever and it will save you time and money in the long run to pony up a little more now and save later

just my .02
Author:  LVChris [ Wed Jul 24, 2013 2:30 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: 1987 FW 210H: A good move for my first boat?
I agree with jsimon...I sold my first boat in less than a year. My second boat I hope to have for many years to come.

As for price, that seems very high to me for a 1987 boat a quick NADA check values it at around $2000. of course we all know those values can be way off...and I didn't go in and put in all the options.

For 8-10 k range you can get a much newer boat that that. newer dosen't always mean better however.
Author:  230 Mike [ Wed Jul 24, 2013 2:32 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: 1987 FW 210H: A good move for my first boat?
A boat that old could be a great way to get into boating, or a nightmare. Hire a marine surveyor to go over it with a fine-toothed comb. It'll cost a few hundred dollars but that's nothing compared to the cost of a "project boat" unless that's what you're after. If you can't find a surveyor, call BoatUS and ask them for a reference. In any case, I agree the price is high.

I would also wonder why a TX boat is now for sale in FL.
Author:  ric [ Wed Jul 24, 2013 2:34 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: 1987 FW 210H: A good move for my first boat?
Horrible boat for a first boat. Buy something made past the year 2000. Easy to find parts. Better made. You'll be fixing it more than using it, trying to locate parts you'll never find. They're also asking double what it's worth.

In the 10k range you can easily pick up a H200-H220 in the 1999-2003 era. Not right now though, it's summer. You need to wait until winter to buy a boat.
Author:  AdLow [ Wed Jul 24, 2013 2:49 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: 1987 FW 210H: A good move for my first boat?
Wow. Awesome stuff, everyone.

Thank you!

And no, we are certainly not looking for a project boat. The notion of our second boat now makes sense, but we have to keep it fairly affordable, so that will be a bit of a governor on something too new and fancy and whatnot. But we do want to make sure to get a good, solid boat this first time out, even if that does mean spending a wee bit more.

I planned to hire a marine surveyor, if we proceed, so thanks for reinforcing that notion.

All in all, super useful advice.

If you guys or anyone has additional thoughts, please keep them coming.

Thanks again.
Author:  Pedropup [ Wed Jul 24, 2013 3:07 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: 1987 FW 210H: A good move for my first boat?
Never underestimate the power you need! You can never have too much, but it is tough to fix too little.
Author:  rpengr [ Wed Jul 24, 2013 3:24 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: 1987 FW 210H: A good move for my first boat?
ric wrote:
In the 10k range you can easily pick up a H200-H220 in the 1999-2003 era. Not right now though, it's summer. You need to wait until winter to buy a boat.

+1
h210 is a nice size, however for that price I would expect 10-14 years newer and very good condition.
Author:  LouC [ Wed Jul 24, 2013 3:40 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: 1987 FW 210H: A good move for my first boat?
You're in Fla, salt water or fresh? Plan to keep it in the water or trailer? If keeping it in salt water, think about a saltwater style boat with outboard power. You'll have less trouble, less maintenance and it will hold its value better.
Author:  jontmiller [ Thu Jul 25, 2013 7:31 am ]
Post subject:  Re: 1987 FW 210H: A good move for my first boat?
Just for price point comparison, I picked up a 1998 H200 last year for $5,000. It is a bit rough visually (seats need re-stitched and such) but mechanically all the big parts have been running perfect. Lots of little things need some attention but I feel lucky so far with a used boat.

I yield the rest of the question to more experienced boaters above me.
Author:  LouC [ Thu Jul 25, 2013 7:40 am ]
Post subject:  Re: 1987 FW 210H: A good move for my first boat?
And since I actually have owned an FW of that era I can tell you they, and most other boats built the same way are prone to rot.
Author:  ric [ Thu Jul 25, 2013 8:38 am ]
Post subject:  Re: 1987 FW 210H: A good move for my first boat?
I wouldn't buy a car that's 10 years old used, let alone a boat that's 26 years old. Unless you have a specific affinity towards buying a 1987 era boat, run far far away. 10k is an awesome budget to get an amazing boat. I'm not sure where you live but come winter time I have no doubt you could find a 20-21ft four winns bowrider in the 10k budget made in the 2000-2003 era. In fact, I will bet money on it. All I do is buy/sell boats.
Author:  rpengr [ Thu Jul 25, 2013 9:06 am ]
Post subject:  Re: 1987 FW 210H: A good move for my first boat?
ric wrote:
I wouldn't buy a car that's 10 years old used, let alone a boat that's 26 years old. Unless you have a specific affinity towards buying a 1987 era boat, run far far away. 10k is an awesome budget to get an amazing boat. I'm not sure where you live but come winter time I have no doubt you could find a 20-21ft four winns bowrider in the 10k budget made in the 2000-2003 era. In fact, I will bet money on it. All I do is buy/sell boats.

I find myself agreeing with Ric twice in one thread! :shock:
I had a 1987 boat (19') in decent condition. Exhaust failure put water in the engine, and I sold it for $1200 last year. I was lucky to get that much.
Author:  rchamberlin [ Thu Jul 25, 2013 10:24 am ]
Post subject:  Re: 1987 FW 210H: A good move for my first boat?
jontmiller wrote:
Just for price point comparison, I picked up a 1998 H200 last year for $5,000. It is a bit rough visually (seats need re-stitched and such) but mechanically all the big parts have been running perfect. Lots of little things need some attention but I feel lucky so far with a used boat.

I yield the rest of the question to more experienced boaters above me.


For another reference I got my 2000 190 (250 hours) for $7000. It's not perfect on the outside but the interior is in great shape and it runs great.

To agree with the others above I'm already wishing I "bought my second boat first".
Author:  ric [ Thu Jul 25, 2013 10:40 am ]
Post subject:  Re: 1987 FW 210H: A good move for my first boat?
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.
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