Interesting Modifications

ric · **Posted:** Wed Aug 29, 2012 9:49 am

Yes because on my boat what came out got replaced with the same, just newer and better looking cosmetically/newer technology. Nothing was physically changed or altered that wouldn't allow you to look up a 2000 H180 parts book to order and fix anything that broke. Everything I changed was 100% compatible to what rolled off the show room floor 12 years ago. That's doing something right. This sundowner is idk what the hell that is. Good luck fixing it. You'll need a book from the original person that changed it all listing what everything is from. If you were to bring this to a dealer for repair they'd just scratch their head and tell you to have a nice day.

Gresh24 · **Posted:** Wed Aug 29, 2012 10:00 am

Hmm. Well, others here, with a lot of experience, have the opinion that these are reputable, tastefully done mods that are compatible and done right.

But the bottom line is, there's no way of really knowing. Just like with all the mods on your boat(s).

I think any boat that has many mods is a red flag, especially done by the owner.

And I don't think you'd get turned away for service on that boat...

ric · **Posted:** Wed Aug 29, 2012 10:04 am

Gresh24 wrote:

And I don't think you'd get turned away for service on that boat...

No the scary part is they'd want it. You'll get charged out the assssssssssss

Graham R · **Posted:** Wed Aug 29, 2012 11:12 am

Cap'n Morgan wrote:

Yep, I was wrong about the ladder . Thanks for pointing that out.

The grab handle on this boatl is not stock on a 245 sundowner. it may be on a 225 sundowner, I have no idea.
Here is a stock 2002 245 Sundowner showing ladder/grab rail that was stock.

You're right; the 225 had a similar grab rail to the one on the 245 photo you posted.

97_245_sd · **Posted:** Wed Aug 29, 2012 12:59 pm

This boat was originally the same hull style and interior as my boat. I noticed a lot of the changes right away.

The biggest change is the swim platform area. As in the stock picture shown above, it originally had a small swim platform and then the fiberglass curved upward into a vertical wall. On top of this was a very small sunpad, more of a seat, about 10 inches fore-aft. Then in front of that is the seat back of the u-wrap seating. This sunpad hinges rearward and underneath is the battery switch, engine compartment vents, hour meter, and storage for the aft light pole. Looks like they cut the fiberglass and removed that area right to the seatback. Probably partly because there was no deck there they covered it up with the padding. And yes the ladder is in stock location with the lid removed. They added some ventilation covers on the sides. The handle looks custom or at least very different because it has that curve.

The bow rail definitely looks taller than stock. The dash different as discussed. I'm not sure about the coming panels on the 2002 models, they are different than my '97. I'm not sure what type of bucket seats came in '02 but they have the cutout panels that mine doesn't have.

My '97 has a Volvo branded OMC joint venture engine, 250 hp TBI. I would call the performance with the single prop adequate but not exceptional with that big a boat.

Other than the wakeboard tower and mirror everyting else looks similar to mine. I did notice the floor looks like carpet over wood. A full fiberlass liner was an option in '97, not sure if it became standard at some point.

ric · **Posted:** Wed Aug 29, 2012 1:15 pm

NICE catch on the floor. FW did not offer carpet over wood in 2002, at all. From the 90s ski locker design that is 100% carpet over wood.

So it's not a 2002 with a 1997? engine. It's just a late 90's boat and someone is confused over the year trying to scam a better price.

I'm telling you I said this earlier, this is a salvage boat that someone glued back together using whatever was available.

I emailed the guy yesterday, nothing back yet.

Graham R · **Posted:** Wed Aug 29, 2012 4:35 pm

It looks a pretty clean boat; weren't higher bow rails an option at one time, I'm sure they were ? 2 portholes each side seems to indicate a boat later than 2001. I reckon they cut off the rear panel ( the part that had the original grab rail and ski eye) and replaced it with one that is easily removeable. That rear panel ( and the forward side of it) severely limited access to the rear of the engine on my 225 Sundowner; you could hardly see the upper part of the inner transom shield, let alone get access to it. If so, a sensible mod ! I imagine a 245 of the same era would be the same. Access to the engine/ transom shield is so much better on my 2004 Sundowner ( LouC, maybe the exception to the modern style over function "rule", but a 2004 boat is now old of course!)

As to the engine; maybe the original was shot and the OMC one was available.

LouC · **Posted:** Wed Aug 29, 2012 5:31 pm

From what I can see, that looks like a dog clutch Cobra not the later joint venture Volvo style so the newest the power package could be is a 1993. The boat looks like it was done over but very nicely from what I can see. A bit of a mystery. Could it be a theft salvage, stolen engine/drive and someone had the OMC that fits the same hole....

97_245_sd · **Posted:** Wed Aug 29, 2012 6:42 pm

Graham, you are right about engine access. I've never seen the back of my engine........

ric · **Posted:** Wed Aug 29, 2012 7:01 pm

There's only one explanation

NOLV4V8 · **Posted:** Tue Sep 04, 2012 9:28 pm

shes on ebay with more pics:

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/NICE-FAM ... 416a510c8e

97_245_sd · **Posted:** Tue Sep 04, 2012 9:47 pm

OK, the carpet is snap in, not over plywood. Not sure why the port-a-potty is under the cabin step. On mine the aft portion of the stbd side cabin seat cushion flips up to access the potty. There is even a curtain for privacy (and a fully enclosed "head" was an option.)

Unless they've done some engine mods or the OMC had more than my V-P's 260 hp, this is not a HOT ROD Boat.

I'm not saying this isn't a nicely modfied boat and some things I like pretty well but they are definitely "selling it" with some of the descriptions.

rpengr · **Posted:** Sat Sep 15, 2012 9:35 am

Cap'n Morgan wrote:

Yep, I was wrong about the ladder . Thanks for pointing that out.

The grab handle on this boatl is not stock on a 245 sundowner. it may be on a 225 sundowner, I have no idea.

The Ladder grab handle looks exactly like the cockpit handle used in my 2000 H240:

rpengr · **Posted:** Sat Sep 15, 2012 9:46 am

NOLV4V8 wrote:

shes on ebay with more pics:

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/NICE-FAM ... 416a510c8e

It's not on the right trailer. Trailer looks like it is set up for a boat about 2' shorter.

LouC · **Posted:** Sat Sep 15, 2012 10:24 am

And definitely a pre joint venture OMC Cobra power package (86-93, dog clutch shifting...mine is still working well so that's not such a bad thing, except for some parts are hard to find)....
The engine compartment vents are the old style one my boat used to have...
As far as what it's worth, hard to say but for sure the OMC Cobra will make it worth less if the buyer knows that there are parts/service issues with this power package. And good catch, the trailer is too short, probably for a 20-21 footer...

www.iFourWinns.com

Interesting Modifications

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