www.iFourWinns.com

I am new here and checking the opinion of others on the quality of these boats. I currently own a 2001 larson bowrider w a 3.0l i/o. My wife and I (mostly me) are looking into a 2005 230 horizon. I'm not completely sure on the options yet but I know there is +- 175 hrs on it and it has the 5.7 volvo. The guy is asking $19500 without the gps and $20500 with the gps. I guess I am wondering if this sounds like a decent deal. Some of the things with the boat are bimini top, premium sound, automatic head, freshwater w/ sink, no refrigerator. included cooler.

Sounds like a good deal. Have you seen it, condition? Trailer included? Take the $19,500 without the GPS. Not sure of a GPS that is worth $1,000 that would go on that boat. Heck, you can buy a small color chart plotter now for $400 - $500. Is the boat been in salt at all? Is the outdrive the DP? If so, engine package is great for that boat.

Like I said...if the condition is good and the boat surveys well and a mechanic does a once over the engine with a compression check which all come out fine. I would say you are good to go. But of course you have not given us a ton of info on the boat yet.

it is the duo prop. I would probably take it with the gps only because there is now holes from the mount and the antenna. Im pretty sure it was in the salt. It comes with the trailer. Generally how much does survey cost? I didnt have one done on the larson but will on this one because the cost of this boat is much higher. I may go look at this in the yard this weekend is there anything i should look for? I know the shrink wrap is still on it but I want to see how it was stored and the condition of the hull without the owner pushing it on me.

On a bowrider I would be much more concerned about the engine than the boat. Especially of it spent most of it's life on a trailer. Do you know if the engine and drive were flushed every time the boat was in salt. An engine survey can be anywhere from $100 - $400 depending on what you want done. Survey of the actual boat is normally about $10 per running foot.

I would be mostly concerned with if the engine/drive were flushed with fresh water after the salt run. Is the trailer galvanized or painted? Did the current yard the boat is stored also do the winterization? Ask if they have all the service records or the owner should have them as well. He should have no problem letting you have a copy of them. You can also take the hull ID number and call Four Winns to see what service work has been done on the boat.

What is the make of the GPS. He is probably not going to use it once he sells the boat. Tell him you will give him $300 for it.

Im pretty sure the marina did the winterizing and the servicing. if it was in the slip for the summer im pretty sure it wasnt flushed everytime. The trailer is the four winns trailer but i will find out for sure this weekend.Know any good surveyors in Ct?

Just for context--I just bought this exact same boat with similiar hours (2005 H230) in November and paid about $10K more than what you are looking at. The price looks great, but like everyone else, my concerns would be the salt and any other condition issues. The one I bought is in perfect condition. The gel looks like it came off the showroom and the guy I bought it from had it professional re-pinstriped a few days before we made the deal. Mine has DP, trailer with spare, captains call, docking lights, and full camper canvas just to give you a little more context. Good luck--if it is in decent shape and there are no concerns from the salt--you might have found a great deal. Let us know how it turns out.

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Norris Lake, Stardust Marina, Andersonville, TN
2005 Four Winns 230 Horizon 5.7L Volvo Gi/DP
2001 Maxum 1900SR 5.0L V8 (Sold)
2011 Nissan Armada Platnum

For comparison, I looked at one that was priced in that range last summer that was a repo and I wouldn't have traded my boat straight up for it. This boat had ripped seats, scratched gel coat, banged up lower unit. It wasn't even something that a good cleaning was fixed, I couldn't even imagine what maintenance wasn't done on the engine/drive. Someone just abused this thing and let the bank take it back, it was a real shame.

If this one is in good shape, and check out good, it sound's like a great price.

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-Rob.


Current boat: 2011 Yamaha AR210
Previous boat: 1998 Horizon RX 4.3GL SX

I'm going tomorrow to check the hull and outdrive without telling the owner because I don't want him running down there and fixing anything. The boat has not been repoed. The owner wants a bigger boat this year. I will try to post pics and updates as I see it. As long as it seems like a good deal and my wife is in a good mood it might be mine after sea test and survey. We'll see thanks everyone.

It's a nice model, but I'm biased.

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Mike
2005 Four Winns 230/240
VP 5.7GXi/DP
1998 F-150 XLT
Boat Pic

Well I looked at it today and there is no bottom paint, no scratches on the hull. The outdrive looked clean. No dings in the skeg or the props. The boat looks clean in the pictures an in person. It has the bow ladder, the docking lights, and stainless steel package.

How's the interior and the trailer? Also, be clear on what is meant by "automatic head." These only came with two choices - 1) You remove the potty and empty it manually (this was the stock option), and 2) same as above but plumbed for a pump-out facility. Presumably he means it has the pump-out. It's a great option (I wouldn't have it any other way), but it's only compatible with marina pump-out facilities so be sure you have access to that.

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Mike
2005 Four Winns 230/240
VP 5.7GXi/DP
1998 F-150 XLT
Boat Pic

From the small hole in the shrink wrap it looked good. It is the pump out model. The trailer was a bit rusted. It would need some sanding and painting.

looks like we are getting the boat. need to finalize some things still. i dont know how to post pics yet some I'm working on it

I think you'll love it!

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Mike
2005 Four Winns 230/240
VP 5.7GXi/DP
1998 F-150 XLT
Boat Pic

Congrats! Please post pics when you can--I look forward to seeing the new purchase.

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Norris Lake, Stardust Marina, Andersonville, TN
2005 Four Winns 230 Horizon 5.7L Volvo Gi/DP
2001 Maxum 1900SR 5.0L V8 (Sold)
2011 Nissan Armada Platnum