87 Four Winns 170 Horizon rebuild

[starbowman]

I am in the process of rebuilding a 87 Four Winns 170 Horizon. 100 hours on the motor, starts and runs well on the hard at least. But the interiors are thrashed, and I have been a good part of my last couple of weeks rebuilding it. I have been removing all cushions and re-cushioning, re-upholstering all of them. I am stuck with the side panels in the main cabin, and the side cushions on the bow. I see that the screws are hidden behind the cushion and bolted from the back.

Is there an elegant way to remove and replace these. Attaching a pic from someone else's bow cushion rebuild. I can get some of mine later.

 

[chevymaher]

In the main cockpit they are screwed. Between every set of pads. The head of the screw pulls through the vinyl and is under the vinyl usually. Reach in through the storage opening. They are long screws your not going to miss them. As i said in the PM the bow section. The sides there are 2 coming from the back. You will not get them loose without destroying the wood period.

The forward most cushion bolts in from the back. Again not coming out in this lifetime without cutting the bolt or destroying the wood.

The 2 pads against the dash are the easy ones. Small nuts in the glove box. Starboard side once the floor foor well piece is out nuts are easily accessed.

I just went through this same exact boat.

 

[starbowman]

@chevymaher

Thank you so much, it did get me to a start on this. I was a little lost and scared to rip things apart, which I would have done surely if I had now known this. I did get my hands on the long screws - and despite the asinine way it was put together, I'm well on the way..as in 1 screw is stuck with the nut. Working on it. The other side has control wiring through and I will be a bit careful. Unless it is a bit different it might come out easy too.

Also, the forward cushions - I'm thinking I will just rip the cushions and get to the two screws, and drill it off - thus saving the wood. I think it is critical to save the wood!

Next up - the floor. But that's another story!

 

[chevymaher]

The control wiring is on zip ties that have a hole on one end for attaching to a bolt or screw. I got some in the tool box if you need to see them. My local hardware store sells them the exact ones Four Winns used originally.

You just need the wood for the template to cut the new pieces. The foam is what you need to save if at all possible. Wood is cheap. I reused like 3 pieces in the entire boat. Once it is apart you see the degradation in the wood. Trace it mark the holes. Cut and drill new ones.

I got 40 pages of notes and measurements. I saved them in a strong box with the chevelles notes. So if you got it apart and get stuck I got measurements.

It is a little scarey taking them apart because in your heart you know it will never be the same again. What was is now gone. But on the bright side the new boat is much better than it was new.

Once it is going back together it definitely is a most refreshing thing. You see the problem is over for the next 30 years at least.

It is worth it once your done. They are beautiful boats nothing but compliments.

 

[Kraftsman]

I also am restoring a 87 horizon 170 . Hard to get tech specs . I am trying to find out the correct size of the passenger side windshield Support . Does anyone have that info or know where I can get it ?

 

[chevymaher]

I also am restoring a 87 horizon 170 . Hard to get tech specs . I am trying to find out the correct size of the passenger side windshield Support . Does anyone have that info or know where I can get it ?

Well you are da man and my hero then. You need to start your own thread. It is frowned on here using anothers thread for your boat.

If this is all you need then PM me I will measure them and messege it to you tomorrow when it isnt dark here. Welcome and nice boat. I got measurememnts for everything just about somewhere from doin mine.

 

[jbcurt00]

Closed

See chevys comments above