1993 Four Winns 180 Freedom- Worth It?

[RMCN]

let me start by saying I am a novice when it comes to boats but I am rather mechanically inclined. I am in the market for a boat that needs a little work but not a complete restoration. I found a 1993 Four Winns 180 Freedom on Craigslist for $1300 and I have been talking to the owner, of 7 years, about the condition of the boat. The photos look pretty good but the motor is going to need to be rebuilt or replaced. Is this boat worth the work? Is the price good for an older boat that needs a motor? He has title for boat, motor, and home built registration for trailer. What do you think? Thank you for your help in advance.

 

[tpenfield]

I think that you should determine if the boat's structure is also in need of a rebuild. The price is in the range of a project boat . . . so maybe there are some structural issues in places where photos don't show. Not saying there is, but based on the age of the boat (24 years) it is highly probable.

The only way to tell is a first hand visit to the boat - check for soft spots on the floor . . . if it has a replaced floor over the old floor, then that tends to be a sure bet that some bad stuff was covered up. You can also stick your head (and phone camera) in the hard to see places, like the engine bay, compartments, etc. to look for signs of wet/rotting wood, cracks discoloration, etc.

Sounds like all the ownership paperwork is there, which is a good thing . . . it is a matter of seeing how much work the boat will need overall, and if you are willing to put the money & effort into it.

A structural rebuild will be about $2K in materials and supplies. Engine rebuild . . . depends on if you DIY with some machining at a shop, or bring it to a shop for the rebuild. Could run $2 - $5K depending on your approach. You could have $6-8K into the boat, but it would basically be like a new boat.

 

[ezmobee]

What brand of stern drive does it have in it?

 

[tpenfield]

To EZ's point with his question, if it has an OMC (cobra) outdrive/engine, then probably not worth it.

 

[bajaunderground]

For reference and perspective. I paid $500.00 for my 1996 Chris Craft. It needed a new motor and interior. Spent about $3,000 on rehab of boat and trailer, used it 2 seasons and sold it for $5,600.00. I did almost all the work myself (motor, interior, covers, maintenance). Chris Crafts of that year supposedly used no wood in the structural components of the hull/transom and it was a liner type floor? I found zero evidence of wood rot in my test sample holes and in most places, no wood.

Four Winns of that vintage, while a decent boat from the factory, used wood throughout and I would bet a dollar to a donut that the wood structure and substructures are at their respective life's end. I'd suggest a survey regardless of how many owners or how it looks? It would the exception and not the rule for a boat of that year and make that didn't have rot.

Short of that the, most expensive boat you can have is a free one...which with rotten wood is what that one would be worth as you'd spend more money and time than the boat would be worth in the end?

Just my $.02

 

[JASinIL2006]

let me start by saying I am a novice when it comes to boats but I am rather mechanically inclined. I am in the market for a boat that needs a little work but not a complete restoration. I found a 1993 Four Winns 180 Freedom on Craigslist for $1300 and I have been talking to the owner, of 7 years, about the condition of the boat. The photos look pretty good but the motor is going to need to be rebuilt or replaced. Is this boat worth the work? Is the price good for an older boat that needs a motor? He has title for boat, motor, and home built registration for trailer. What do you think? Thank you for your help in advance.

You really can't tell much from the photos, at least not about the stuff that will take the most time to fix, like rotted transoms and stringers, wet foam, etc. A '93 at that price has a good likelihood of needing structural work. If you aren't familiar with boat construction, it would be really helpful if you could take along a a buddy who is. It's not hard to buy a rotten boat, despite your best investigations. It's even easier if you're not sure what to look for...

 

[Old Ironmaker]

Think of it this way, the trailer is $1300.00 and the boat is free. I know a retired auto mechanic that now restores boats with a few of us that help and he learned quickly that his hands are automobile hands and not Marine hands. Call around and see what a new or rebuilt crate motor and lower end will set you back. A brand specific marine engine manual is a must. I have learned that after many hours and parts later to rebuild marine engine cost can be more $$ than just replacing it with something with a warranty. Can you reupholster? Farming out that job often kills the budget.

 

[jkust]

My usually more harsh take is that this subject hull without an engine or worse needing a new engine R&R is worth less than zero inclusive of the trailer. Even then, your time is worth a lot as well in order to rehab the boat. That said, if you could get the boat and trailer for free and have a winter to get working on it and have several thousand dollars sitting around and there is little opportunity cost to your time, I say go for it. Check out new crate engines on Ebay or wherever, they are surprisingly expensive as are even used outdrives.