1986 four winns 160 restoration

jwatson683 · Tuesday at 3:47 PM

I recently bought an 86 four winns 160. At first glance it didn't look too bad. I was just going to replace the upholstery the floor and carpet. But as I tear into the floor I see there's a lot more work to be done. I've been looking at some of these forums and reading up on the processes you guys have gone through.

jwatson683 · Tuesday at 3:52 PM

Also tips and tricks of the trade would be extremely helpful. I will try to document my progress as best as possible but I struggle to remember to do stuff like that lol.

jwatson683 · Tuesday at 3:53 PM

This is where my journey starts.

jwatson683 · Tuesday at 4:01 PM

I've already taken out the seats and motor cover. I took out the starter to see if it's functioning. It sounds like it's not meshing well with the flywheel. When I went to take it off I noticed one of the bolts were loose, so I'm thinking that was part of the issue. Still going to get it tested before securing it all the way down.

jwatson683 · Tuesday at 4:02 PM

@chevymaher I am currently reading through your thread. And it looks like we were told the same thing upon purchase.

MikeSchinlaub · Tuesday at 6:07 PM

At that age, I'm going to assume stringers, transom, and floor are rotten. That's probably going to be $5k in materials, and a few months of high progress weekends. I don't know about engine work, so I can't even guess at that.

I think the best bet if you're short on funds would be...

Short Term: If it floats and runs, use it for the season and think about it later. Just don't get into spots where help is far away.

Long Term: Look for a newer used boat. Make sure to thoroughly check out every inch you can get to. Rough looking gel and interior isn't bad, soft wood should be a deal breaker.

jwatson683 · Tuesday at 6:25 PM

The issue was they had put flooring over top of the bad flooring so I couldn't see it. I took that off to take a look and that's when I saw the rock.

MikeSchinlaub · Tuesday at 6:44 PM

Sometimes people just suck. Some will cover up any amount of damage just to sell it amd let the next gut deal with it.

jwatson683 · Tuesday at 6:58 PM

Oh yea I'm well aware. But I got it for 800. I knew what I was expecting. And I wasn't wrong.

matt167 · 2025-07-16T04:16:54-0600

I used the same exact same boat for parts. It was rotted completely to the forward bulkheads. That’s where I got into solid wood when I chopped it up. It was the same kind of story. They just had it out on the lake, but it was obviously dangerously rotted.

If you know it’s rotted don’t put it on the water. Fix it or send it off in a dumpster. I got mine for $700. Trailers worth $500, engine and outdrive are worth at least $1000 combined and my dump fee was $170. So as long as your dump fee is close to mine, you would make out okay to get out from under it that way.. I thought the little boat was nifty but there was no way a 16’ I/O was worth the 6k or so to restore it

jwatson683 · 2025-07-16T19:44:11-0600

Okay... So after further inspection and fighting a bunch of wasps, there is A LOT to do to this thing. The stringers from the areas that I can see so far are shot. Just mush and mulch. Haven't really looked at the transom yet but I'm assuming the worst. And while putting the starter back in after getting it started I saw a crack in the engine block. Uh oh... So the doom settled over me.. I'm a bit nervous now. But I want to do this so bad. So I will be taking all the floor out to see the full extent.

MikeSchinlaub · 2025-07-16T19:48:52-0600

jwatson683 said:
So I will be taking all the floor out to see the full extent.

I can save you the trouble, you're looking at a full structural rebuild. Stringers, transom, and floor.

Is there any hope that's just a casting mark in the block?

1986 four winns 160 restoration

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