www.iFourWinns.com

Dedicated to Current and Future Owners
It is currently Thu Mar 28, 2024 3:12 am

All times are UTC - 6 hours [ DST ]




Post new topic Reply to topic  [ 3 posts ] 
Author Message
PostPosted: Tue May 24, 2022 12:08 am 
Offline
Tadpole

Joined: Mon May 23, 2022 4:19 pm
Posts: 1
I'm going to look at a four winns today and would like some advice on what to look at when considering buying the boat. The boat is unfortunately on land so I won't be able to test drive it, is that a big issue? I get a good impression of the seller.

The boat has a new motor, a 350 V8. It's barely been run more than 50 hours, having a MDS eginition system.

The drive and shield (not sure of the names for this in English) has been replaced recently to Volvo SX-A, with a steel propeller.

It has freshwater cooling.

Any advice on what I should look at and if I even should consider buying it if I can't test drive it? The seller request $4 k because the interior need some work to be representable, but I'm not very concerned about that.


Top
 Profile  
 
PostPosted: Tue May 24, 2022 7:41 am 
Offline
email admin your custom rank

Joined: Sat Apr 30, 2011 9:19 pm
Posts: 252
Location: San Antonio, TX
I don't know anything about the Vista line, but with it being an older boat (1990 model?) you would be wise to find a boat mechanic to go with you. Be ready to offer them a fee for their service/advise.

If the boat is a 1990 model, I would seriously spend some time trying to figure out if the deck is solid as I suspect they will have a lot of wood in them versus fiberglass. And with the interior not being in good condition, the owner most likely has not done much to protect the decks from water, or to keep water off them (rain).

Like everyone always says, push for a test drive "on the water." Boats can/will run different "on the hose" on land versus in actual water.

Good luck with the viewing and try not to get too enamored with just one boat. Get a few on your list that you really want, then run down a list of Pros/Cons (good/bad) of each. That will lead you to the best purchase.

_________________
Image
1999 180 Horizon OB Fisherman Pkg
San Antonio, TX

Choice of tow vehicle:
'93 Explorer 4x4 (sold)
'05 Grand Cherokee 4x4 w/ 5.7 Hemi (member of the 240k+ mile club!)


Top
 Profile  
 
PostPosted: Tue May 24, 2022 4:26 pm 
Offline
email admin your custom rank

Joined: Thu Jun 29, 2006 10:26 pm
Posts: 5661
Location: Long Island NY
There are a LOT of ways you can go wrong with a boat that old, before even considering the mechanical condition, you have to have the fiberglass/wood structure VERY carefully inspected. A boat that old with wood framework under the fiberglass, is likely to have rot somewhere. I replaced a LOT of wood in mine, stringers, deck, various bulkheads, etc. If the boat was stored outside in a damp climate it might be beyond saving. The fact that the interior is bad does suggest that. And don't forget re-doing the interior is very expensive unless you can do it yourself.
So inspect the structure first, really carefully, then no purchase with out a water test. This boat has been mechanically updated from when it was new (probably had a 5.7 V8 and an OMC Cobra drive) which is good but you want to make sure that this work was done right and everything works as it should.

_________________
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


Top
 Profile  
 
Display posts from previous:  Sort by  
Post new topic Reply to topic  [ 3 posts ] 

All times are UTC - 6 hours [ DST ]


Who is online

Users browsing this forum: Google [Bot] and 6 guests


You cannot post new topics in this forum
You cannot reply to topics in this forum
You cannot edit your posts in this forum
You cannot delete your posts in this forum

Search for:
Jump to:  
Powered by phpBB® Forum Software © phpBB Group