Introduction

Stonedlion · **Joined:** Tue Sep 10, 2013 8:53 pm **Posts:** 5

Hello all!

New FW owner here. I am picking up my new (to me) 1986 195 Horizon Cuddy next week. It is in fantastic shape and the Mercruiser 140 in it is the cleanest engine I have ever seen on a used boat that wasn't for sale at a dealer.

It's not my first boat, but it is the biggest to date. Prior to this I have owned a few small fishing boats, a classic 1965 Larson All American and a 1980 Sea Ray SRV-192 with the dreaded Mercruiser 470.

The Mrs. has been pushing me to get something bigger and nicer (ie not needing any work done). She grew up boating with her parents on the St. Croix River and misses it.

There isn't a whole lot of time left to get on the water here in Minnesota, but we are going to enjoy what's left of the season while we can, before we have to put our toys away for the winter.

rpengr · **Posted:** Tue Sep 10, 2013 9:44 pm

Welcome to the forum

We look forward to pictures. Always nice to see a classic in good shape.
How to: http://www.smwebhead.com/phpBB3/viewtopic.php?f=9&t=1877

Stonedlion · **Joined:** Tue Sep 10, 2013 8:53 pm **Posts:** 5

Thank you.

These are from the seller's ad on CL. There's a story to go along with this one. Isn't there always? Apparently, the seller's ex-bf used it as collateral for a loan and never repaid. He winterized it and it has been sitting in her pole barn untouched and unloved for two years. As much as I would love to drop it in the nearest body of water and take it for a spin as soon as I can, I am not even going to put it in my driveway without having a mechanic give it a once over first.

rpengr · **Posted:** Tue Sep 10, 2013 10:28 pm

Nice. Has a lot of similarity to my previous boat (1987 Chaparral 197CXL)

I would suggest you (or your mechanic) at least remove the risers and inspect the manifolds & risers internally prior to even running it on a hose. During that two years, old manifolds/risers could have rusted through and possibly are ready to pour water into the engine through the exhaust ports. Rusted-through manifolds is what cost me the engine on my Chaparral.

Here is a thread where I replaced my manifolds & risers a couple months ago (with pictures):
http://www.smwebhead.com/phpBB3/viewtopic.php?f=9&t=1877

230 Mike · **Posted:** Tue Sep 10, 2013 11:20 pm

Am I the only one who wants to see pics of the All American?

Welcome.

pet575 · **Posted:** Wed Sep 11, 2013 11:04 am

Assuming that the loan was made by the seller? I'm sure you checked it all out and stuff, but the person selling the boat IS the party holding it as collateral on that loan right?

Stonedlion · **Joined:** Tue Sep 10, 2013 8:53 pm **Posts:** 5

Yes, the woman I am buying it from has the title in hand, in her name.

Stonedlion · **Joined:** Tue Sep 10, 2013 8:53 pm **Posts:** 5

Just an update for anyone who cares to hear about it.

I picked up the Horizon Sunday and dropped it off at the local expert Mercruiser shop here in Minneapolis on Monday morning.

The prognosis is very good. Aside from needing a tune up, a bad neutral switch ($10) and a dead alternator, it's in great shape. The mechanic told me it started easy and he is very impressed with how smooth it runs. The impellor is good, but we both agreed I should have it replaced next season just to be safe.

All told I'll be $2400 into this boat by the time I get it on the water tomorrow afternoon. Which by my research is about 2k below it's value.

www.iFourWinns.com

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