www.iFourWinns.com

Hey guys, first post here. Just test drove a boat I'm buying from family friends. Bought new by them, stored in lake all summer since new with covers, winter storage/all maintenance by the same marina.

Started right up, idles/runs through the whole range well, quick to plane with 2 of us in the boat. It topped out at 43mph GPS at 5000rpm on cluster tachometer (speedo reading only 35mph, tilt/trim gauge not working). I maybe could have played with tilt trim more I suppose but felt I was trimmed up, now I don't care if it goes faster just want to make sure this isn't a sign of an issue and is appropriate speed. Unsure of prop but I'm assuming it would be stock.

Some gel coat surface cracks/sun fade and the radio doesn't work but it's a good deal for my area and a known entity (seller even said I could take it to try and bring it back if I don't want it).

Last thing is that at rest the boat was ever so slightly tilted to the right based on the waterline while docked. And there was water visible in the ski locker, and water came out of bilge pump when I got in (it had been raining heavily that day) - any signs of issue?

Anything else to worry about?
Thanks,
Craig

Link to photobucket album as they're too big to post here: http://s246.photobucket.com/user/Gryphs/library/Boat

How was the water temp, oil pressure and volts while driving?
Any odd noises while trimming or turning?
Based on the experience of a few people here, with respect to the water in the bilge I'd investigate a bit further. It could be nothing more than rain water or more than that.

What I'd do:
get the boat up on the trailer. Jack the bow up as high as you can get it. Remove the plug, you want ALL the water out of the bilge, as much as you can. Then, slowly back the boat down the ramp, with someone in the bilge, with a really bright LED flashlight looking for water leaks. You are trying to check around the inner transom plate for water leaks. Sometimes you can use a telescoping mirror to look under the bottom of the transom mount. Tilt the drive up and down if you see none and check again (crack in bellows may leak more if its up).
Now start the boat up and check again. If you see water leaking then, look at the exhaust system, and on the sides of the engine for cracks. Use a bright LED flashlight and a mirror. Leaks around the transom mount can be a bad gasket or a rotted transom something you do NOT want.

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88 Four Winns 200 Horizon
4.3 OMC Cobra-4bbl
2002 Walker Bay 10/2012 Suzuki 2.5
2008 Walker Bay 8

1998 Jeep Grand Cherokee 4.0/Selectrac
2007 Jeep Grand Cherokee 5.7 Hemi/Quadradrive II

Did the boat by chance have two batteries on the same side? That can make a boat list like that. My 2000 did NOT list with only one.

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NEW - 2000 Cobalt 246 w/454 Magnum 385HP | SOLD - 2000 FW Horizon 180 LS w/5.0Gi 250HP Volvo Penta

Thanks for the responses guys. I'm unsure of the batteries so I'll check that next time. The boat was just dropped off by the marina so I guess I could try to talk to them about the boat too, what are the chances of a rotten transom in these boats? I don't find many horror stories about them online compared to some, and they don't have wood stringers floor am I correct?

As for the small amount of water in the ski locker just in front of what looked like an outlet running to the stern? Carpets were a little wet too from the rain I think.

A 2001 for sure could have wood coring, e-mail 4 winns and ask.
It is not that uncommon to have a rotted transom esp in fresh water, because it depends 100% on 2 things, did the glass guys seal the outdrive opening and holes (prob not) and did the gasket seal right to keep out water (who knows, hope so).....
I do not think they were using composite transoms that far back. Make sure you check this because the repair, is a real big job. As in a lot harder than replacing a rotted deck because the whole powertrain has to come out, engine drive, transom mount....

_________________
88 Four Winns 200 Horizon
4.3 OMC Cobra-4bbl
2002 Walker Bay 10/2012 Suzuki 2.5
2008 Walker Bay 8

1998 Jeep Grand Cherokee 4.0/Selectrac
2007 Jeep Grand Cherokee 5.7 Hemi/Quadradrive II

So a little update on this. I finally got a trailer sorted and picked up the boat yesterday. Got to the lake and it had been raining, carpet in boat wet so covers must not be water tight, ran the bilge and a good amount came out then stopped. Bilge looked dry. When the marina guy helped me retrieve the boat (where it has always been maintained and taken in/out) we were surprised by some keel damage to the gel coat - he said it shouldn't be a problem but repair in winter. Then we pulled the drain plug and a good amount came out - he seemed shocked when I told him I had run the bilge, and was pretty silent when I told him about how it listed at the dock and when I asked about the water from the plug, he looked at the bellows and said they looked fine. I don't think he wanted to ruin their deal for his client. Anyways I have some concerns about that water after the bilge is dry.

No money has exchanged hands yet, as I said the sellers have said to being it back if I don't want it.

Took it for a long run on my lake and it ran beautifully. 4 of us and the dog and it topped out at about 40mph at like 4300rpm maybe. Seems to get on plane nicely, no funny porpoising or anything.

So do I have a water intrusion issue? And there going to be rot issues? Transom feels solid with no cracks.

Go with your gut on this, if you feel something is not right have them fix it before selling it to you or walk away.

_________________
NEW - 2000 Cobalt 246 w/454 Magnum 385HP | SOLD - 2000 FW Horizon 180 LS w/5.0Gi 250HP Volvo Penta

Yah I'm thinkin when I get a chance I'll pull the boat again and see if theres water coming from the plug, my marine mechanic is right next to the launch so I'll likely pay him to check it over before any money actually changes hands.

Try draining it as much as you can; have some one back it in while you check the bilge carefully for water; if it's leaking in then you know. If not start the engine look for water leaks. I would not assume anything here...

_________________
88 Four Winns 200 Horizon
4.3 OMC Cobra-4bbl
2002 Walker Bay 10/2012 Suzuki 2.5
2008 Walker Bay 8

1998 Jeep Grand Cherokee 4.0/Selectrac
2007 Jeep Grand Cherokee 5.7 Hemi/Quadradrive II

Thanks for the response. I've already checked the bilge with it running and there's no water, must have been used 3-4 hours already on my lake and no water in the bilge. But then there was none there when I pulled it originally and water came out of the drain plug. Interior is great, boat starts/idles/goes great.

quite a few places water can get in without a hole in the boat. Mine would get quite a bit in with the old 2 piece cover...enough that the bilge pump would drain the battery, I also had one of the cup holder drains come loose and let water from there into the boat. (the bow ones that aren't covered)......sounds like you may have found a good one I hope.

(and for what its worth...with a new one piece cover the boat is dry dry dry....only water in the bilge from draining kneeboards and water skis)

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Jon Miller
1998 four Winns Horizon H200
Volvo Penta 4.3 GL
Newtown, CT

untitled-545 by millerjont, on Flickr

Oh yah I also should mention that I guess the auto bilge (assuming it would be) doesn't work since when I manually put it on a bunch came out. Suppose that needs sorting.

Depends where the float/switch is located as well.

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NEW - 2000 Cobalt 246 w/454 Magnum 385HP | SOLD - 2000 FW Horizon 180 LS w/5.0Gi 250HP Volvo Penta

...and no bilge pump will remove ALL the water after rain or whatever. There will still be some that comes out the transom drain when you pull it out.

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"Knot Easy" 2000 Horizon 240 Volvo 5.7GS /SX
tow: 2017 Honda PILOT EXL-AWD
prev. boats:
'87 Chaparral 198CXL 4.3 OMC Cobra
'69 Jetstar 16ft Ski Boat, 115hp Yamaha
'68 Aluminum Jon Boat, 3hp Sears
'64 Water Wings

rp is correct. The pump will never get all the water out due to it's forward location. FW mounts the pump where it is at least somewhat accessible for service. Most of these boats are built where it is almost impossible to mount the pump right close to the plug, where it would get most of the water out, just due to you cannot get under there and access it if it were.

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Jimbo
Na. Ga.

2000 170 Horizon LS
4.3GL