1987 Four Winns 215 Sundowner Refit/Repower

[solar7647]

Re: 1987 Four Winns 215 Sundowner Refit/Repower

How did you go about mounting it to your hull? Did you kinda "eye ball" it to see where you wanted to mount it, then mark and cut the holes?

I put it together on the ground then lifted on to the boat. Once it was on the boat I slide it to a location an looked at the side profile. I kept doing that until it sat where i liked it. Then I made sure it was square by measuring from the back of the boat to the holes in the rear mount. It ended up being that the centers of the holes where 64 inches from the transom. You have to measure from the bow or the transom because you cant rely on the anything else on a boat being square. I then made sure the front feet where sitting proper and re checked my measurement, then with the tower set in place I had the room to drill the holes using the holes in the mounting feet as guides.

How does it adjust for different widths of boats? I assume at the top of the tower you can either slide the tower together or pull it apart to adjust?

Yes the side down poles slide in and out of top cross bars. When it is put together on the ground you make the distance between the inside of the down poles the same width as the boat, and then tape the seem where the down poles slide into the top cross bar to keep them from moving. Then once the side supports are bolted down you remove the tape and adjust the poles making sure they are both slid into the top cross member the same amount so that it is square. Then you drill holes for bolts to slide through the cross bar and the down poles that will keep them from moving.

Also, did you beef up the backing plates on the mounts??

BTW..I like the smooth curves as well

No the backing plates didnt need beefed up. The manufacture calls for a specific thickness of fiberglass that is safe to bolt to I think it was 1/8 inch, and in my case the area that it is bolted to is plywood sandwiched between fiberglass so it is a little more then an inch thick. The backing plate them selves are 1/4 inch thick aluminum plates.

If the fiberglass is not thick enough they suggest beefing it up with more fiberglass. If I would have had that issue I would have went and made much large backing plates to help spread the stress out better.

 

[solar7647]

Re: 1987 Four Winns 215 Sundowner Refit/Repower

i shot diy an email to see if i could get a few pics of one with a black back ground so i can photoshop it on to my boat and see what it will look like but i am way off on that bad news with my celebrity but i am getting somewhere with the chris caft tho so in 3 or so weeks i should be back in the water

I had a good experience with their customer service and hope you do as well. It is a valid request, no one wants to make such a large purchase as a shot in the dark. I used one of their advertising photos and photo shopped it. It wasnt perfect but it gave me a good idea of what to expect. I really didnt think of asking them if they had a photo like that. You will have to let us see the photo shop to see what it looks like.

 

[MTribe08]

Re: 1987 Four Winns 215 Sundowner Refit/Repower

I put it together on the ground then lifted on to the boat. Once it was on the boat I slide it to a location an looked at the side profile. I kept doing that until it sat where i liked it. Then I made sure it was square by measuring from the back of the boat to the holes in the rear mount. It ended up being that the centers of the holes where 64 inches from the transom. You have to measure from the bow or the transom because you cant rely on the anything else on a boat being square. I then made sure the front feet where sitting proper and re checked my measurement, then with the tower set in place I had the room to drill the holes using the holes in the mounting feet as guides.



Yes the side down poles slide in and out of top cross bars. When it is put together on the ground you make the distance between the inside of the down poles the same width as the boat, and then tape the seem where the down poles slide into the top cross bar to keep them from moving. Then once the side supports are bolted down you remove the tape and adjust the poles making sure they are both slid into the top cross member the same amount so that it is square. Then you drill holes for bolts to slide through the cross bar and the down poles that will keep them from moving.



No the backing plates didnt need beefed up. The manufacture calls for a specific thickness of fiberglass that is safe to bolt to I think it was 1/8 inch, and in my case the area that it is bolted to is plywood sandwiched between fiberglass so it is a little more then an inch thick. The backing plate them selves are 1/4 inch thick aluminum plates.

If the fiberglass is not thick enough they suggest beefing it up with more fiberglass. If I would have had that issue I would have went and made much large backing plates to help spread the stress out better.

Cool, thanks for the help..hope it works out well for you!!

 

[ltjag101]

Re: 1987 Four Winns 215 Sundowner Refit/Repower

i got the email from DIY today and instead of photoshop i used paint i am not trying to be to creative with this but was happy with the results

this is the pic they sent me

i turned it into this

and slid it into place on my pic

not a bad fit i must say

 

[solar7647]

Re: 1987 Four Winns 215 Sundowner Refit/Repower

Thats awsome that they took the time to send a photo!....Now all you need to do is get one and get that boat on the water.

 

[ltjag101]

Re: 1987 Four Winns 215 Sundowner Refit/Repower

there customer service is second to none i would say

 

[solar7647]

Re: 1987 Four Winns 215 Sundowner Refit/Repower

Well I didnt get a hole lot done worth takeing photos of. I had to mostly small things like, wrapping wire, and hiding wires so that next weekend the rest of the inside panels can be done. I am suddenly having an issue with my tachometer too. It is shorted out and killing my spark. I will need to dig into this more.

I am waiting on some key parts yet to, that is slowing me down as well. The trim tabs have not shown up, but the manufacture called me and let me know that is was because of missing parts, and my axile and new tires for the trailor have not been sent. I have been trying and trying to find out what the hold up is but no one can give me an answer. Southwestwheels.com sucks I dont recomend them to any one...the prices is good but the service so far sucks

I did find the time to enjoy the fruits of my labor though. Saturday night was really calm and I was finelly able to dispose of all the stuff ripped out of the boat that has been piled in the back corner of my property. Had me some beers and watched the flames go.

But as you can see I didnt get my grass cut this week. All this rain is making my yard a jungle. As of sturday night its been only 6 days since last cut and you can see in the photo how long it is!!

 

[ltjag101]

Re: 1987 Four Winns 215 Sundowner Refit/Repower

as you can see I didnt get my grass cut this week. All this rain is making my yard a jungle. As of sturday night its been only 6 days since last cut and you can see in the photo how long it is!!

i got my house cut saturday morning but the 5 acres at the shed has only been cut once this year and it used to be a fertilizer plant so i can grow grass inside the shed on concrete i think i may have to buy
G.O.A.T.S. Gods Original Automatic Triming Service
because my grass is already 12-16 inches and still raining everyday

 

[solar7647]

Re: 1987 Four Winns 215 Sundowner Refit/Repower

i got my house cut saturday morning but the 5 acres at the shed has only been cut once this year and it used to be a fertilizer plant so i can grow grass inside the shed on concrete i think i may have to buy
G.O.A.T.S. Gods Original Automatic Triming Service
because my grass is already 12-16 inches and still raining everyday

Yea my property is bordered by corn fields so I get over spray of fertilizer and it grows really fast plus the rain is not helping at all. I like the idea of goats but then you have to clean up after them and thats just more crap to take care of

 

[solar7647]

Re: 1987 Four Winns 215 Sundowner Refit/Repower

Well I had to make a sacrifice on the boat to make the wife happy. She insisted on having a heavy none slip surface on some areas like the gunnel's and the walk to the anchor locker and the back climb from the swim deck.

I also put on some hardware. Going to align the engine to day and finsh wood work.

 

[solar7647]

Re: 1987 Four Winns 215 Sundowner Refit/Repower

Well I figured out what was wrong with the tach. The gray sending wire is spliced with the shift interupter switch and the splice was screwed up so I re did it and all worked fine.

I also got the engine aligned. This is the one thing that worried me the most about the hole project just because it make or break. My brother and I spent about 2 hours checking and drechecking uuntill we both were 100% that it was perfact. Once that was done we double checked all hoses and wires for the engine to double check everything is hooked up and clamps and so on. So now I can say the engine is 100% done and I dont have to worry about that any more.

I got all the foam needed ordered and on its way. I was ables to get all the foam I need for 200 bucks. Not to bad considering the prices out there. I will be getting the new axle and tires for the trailer so the next few post will most likly be about getting that done, that way I can get the boat on the trailer and off the dollies. I cant wait for that, it will really feel like I am one big step closer to getting her done. Plus I really need the dollies so that I can jump into the next project. My sister has a pair of jet skis and one is in need of some hull repairs, being the great brother i am I will be doing it...

I am seeing the light at the end of the tonnel though...may the count down begin.

 

[solar7647]

Re: 1987 Four Winns 215 Sundowner Refit/Repower

Well as much trouble as the company gave me customer service wise their product seems to be good. I removed the old axle and wheels all at once. I unbolted the u-bolts from the leaf springs, attached the engine lift to the rear end and lifed the trailer about 4 feet high.

I roled the old axle out and while it was in the air I used the angle grinder with a SS wire wheel and cleaned the leaf springs, tire wells, the under side of the fram and the attachments hardware for the springs to remove rust and prep for new paint.

Once the new axle was rolled under the trailer frame the frame was dropped onto the axle and the leaf spring seats were set in place and the trailer was set on the axle. I then bolted everything together. The leaf springs will need tack welded in place but the welder is out with the boat so when I go put the boat on the trailer this weekend I will tack the seats in place.

I took it for a test drive to make sure it was all set right and wow. What a differance it made. it completly took care of the bounce from the trailer when empty and there is no sway in it anymore. I took it to 80 and it was streight as an arrow.

The old axle

Hooked up to lift

up in the air

New axle ready to be put on

The new axle on

new paint on the hardware.

Now I need to get the bunks on and a freash coat of paint on the hole thing. i am also putting on a new wireing harness.

 

[fat fanny]

Re: 1987 Four Winns 215 Sundowner Refit/Repower

Solar looks good! Are you gonna go with the black and white paint sceme to match the boat. Just thought I'd add to watch out for the hole in the floor bud !!!!!!!!!!

 

[solar7647]

Re: 1987 Four Winns 215 Sundowner Refit/Repower

Solar looks good! Are you gonna go with the black and white paint sceme to match the boat. Just thought I'd add to watch out for the hole in the floor bud !!!!!!!!!!

oh I wont be going any where close to that hole with the boat! I should be getting on the trailor and home this sunday so the wife and her friend can get the upolstry done.

Yea I am going to keep it black with the white rims. I cant really think of anything other than that would look right. I am going to do a high gloss black though.

 

[BigBoatinOkie]

Re: 1987 Four Winns 215 Sundowner Refit/Repower

Well done sir! That baby is slicker than snot!!! (that's a compliment where I come from by the way). I love it.

 

[solar7647]

Re: 1987 Four Winns 215 Sundowner Refit/Repower

Well done sir! That baby is slicker than snot!!! (that's a compliment where I come from by the way). I love it.

Slicker then snot.....never heard that one before, thanks though! I cant wait to splash her in!

 

[solar7647]

Re: 1987 Four Winns 215 Sundowner Refit/Repower

well I got the trailer all painted up real pretty like today. I also got out and got the wood, carpet and new hardware for the new bunks. I am not sure if it is the comon way or not but the bunks I took off where held on by screws, well what was left of the screws anyways. I decided and going to use some carage bolts to hold the new ones on, just counter sink them so the heads dont stick up. It just makes me feel better about them.

I am going tonight after work to pick up the new lights for the trailer. Then tomorrow night it will be finishing the trailer so the boat can be put on it and brought home. I am going to do all the interior work at my house instead of the barn because i dont need anything in the barn anymore and it will allow me to get it done faster since I cant get to the barn during the week cause of the kids.

This way they can play in the yard while I work. Thats a Win Win right there, get the boat done and the kids stay out of my hair

 

[smitty1258]

Re: 1987 Four Winns 215 Sundowner Refit/Repower

is that diamond plating or white paint on the fenders? If its white paint you should use diamond plating because that white wont stay white for long.
Hard to tell by the pictures.

 

[solar7647]

Re: 1987 Four Winns 215 Sundowner Refit/Repower

is that diamond plating or white paint on the fenders? If its white paint you should use diamond plating because that white wont stay white for long.
Hard to tell by the pictures.

Its Diamond plate aluminum, the sun is hitting hit and making it look white.

 

[solar7647]

Re: 1987 Four Winns 215 Sundowner Refit/Repower

Well I git the side panels on cut and mounted in, the trailer all done and the boat is on the trailer but I need to get a photo of that. The seats will be made and all the vinle and carpet in soon. I am shooting for two weeks to get it wet, we will see if I can do It.