1998 Four Winns Horizon Restoration

[drew_caplan]

Hello and nice to meet everyone! I am in the process of restoring my new to me but in very great condition 1998 Four Winns Horizon RX to its original condition. I have been reading but never participating in these forums for years now and admittedly I wont be grinding out any fibreglass on this boat because it has lived most of its life in storage but there are a few elements I would like to fix up! The first item is the bow light, it seems to be missing a piece and I cannot figure out what light this is to replace it with OEM. Any ideas?

 

[GSPLures]

:welcome:
Nice boat. Chances of finding OEM parts for a 22yo boat will be difficult. I am trying for my restoration which is much older (1973) ebay is worth a shot or maybe calling around marine salvage yards. Other people on the forum may be able to direct you to better sources for older parts.

 

[drew_caplan]

Thank you and and thank for you the welcome! I think I found what i am looking for on amazon of all places, it certainly is fun/interesting trying to find and match these parts for older boats! While restoring I am thinking about modernizing it as well with things like USB ports and the like to make it a fantastic family boat.

 

[chevymaher]

I did that added 2 usb ports and a power port/cig lighter for the marine radio. Kroger has 10 foot cords for them. I run the GPS and Marine ways maps on it.

 

[lakeboater008]

Good luck!

 

[GSPLures]

That is good to hear you found your parts. Upgrading to newer electrical in boats is a smart move 100%. Original is nice but the technology nowadays cannot be beat. For my build I am going for a modern interior but the outside keeping that classic look of a 73.

 

[Lou C]

might want to look at a Perko catalog because they an OEM supplier, find what you need and then you get the part # and a lot of their stuff you can get on Amazon...

 

[drew_caplan]

That is good to hear you found your parts. Upgrading to newer electrical in boats is a smart move 100%. Original is nice but the technology nowadays cannot be beat. For my build I am going for a modern interior but the outside keeping that classic look of a 73.

I agree! Our very first trip out in the boat we used WAAVE and threw a little caution to the win and went for a 60 mile trip. Maybe not the smartest idea with two kids, two grandparents and the wife but if we got stuck we were never far from shore and what better way to social distance. During the trip I had my phone with the navigation mounted and I realized how nice having a USB port will be. Here is what I am installing for the passengers. I want to figure out a USB solution that goes in the empty switch spot for driver.

 

[drew_caplan]

might want to look at a Perko catalog because they an OEM supplier, find what you need and then you get the part # and a lot of their stuff you can get on Amazon...

Thanks for the advice! The amazon one just arrives so I will test fit this weekend to see how it fits and post some photos and some more photos of the boat.

 

[drew_caplan]

One of the items I am considering is installing a main disconnect. There are two reasons I am thinking about this:

1. I have two kids, 5 and 3 and the boat is their favourite thing and also the buttons are fun to push. I am worried about lights, blowers, bilge being left on and killing the battery for me only to discover when I go to launch.

2. I installed a new radio (more to come on this) and I is always on even without the key in. I am worried that over a long period the memory will kill the battery.

I am considering something like this from Perko for more a clean look/feel and mounting it near the back seat. Thoughts?

 

[chevymaher]

Make a ez charge port and trickle charge it like i do.

 

[In way over my head... always]

My Sportcraft has 2 batteries, along with a switch that is either off, battery 1, battery 2, or both. I like it, and am contemplating doing the same on my Four Winns project when the build part takes over from the teardown part. When it's "off", the only thing powered up is the automatic bilge pump. Since I don't have it moored anywhere, that's not a factor at the moment. I like this system. I never find it unable to start. When out fishing or hanging out on the water, I can have 1 battery on for the radio, lights, etc. Even if I killed it completely, I still have a full battery to start with. When running, I switch to both so it charges both.

I know this isn't what you asked exactly. What I will say is that I have a battery switch system and see no negatives with it. If it does save you from a burnt out bilge pump or blower (or worse), I'd say it's worth it.

 

[GSPLures]

My Sportcraft has 2 batteries, along with a switch that is either off, battery 1, battery 2, or both. I like it, and am contemplating doing the same on my Four Winns project when the build part takes over from the teardown part. When it's "off", the only thing powered up is the automatic bilge pump. Since I don't have it moored anywhere, that's not a factor at the moment. I like this system. I never find it unable to start. When out fishing or hanging out on the water, I can have 1 battery on for the radio, lights, etc. Even if I killed it completely, I still have a full battery to start with. When running, I switch to both so it charges both.

I know this isn't what you asked exactly. What I will say is that I have a battery switch system and see no negatives with it. If it does save you from a burnt out bilge pump or blower (or worse), I'd say it's worth it.

I am planning on installing one of these on the sea ray I am doing right now also. Definitely a must if running lots of electrical or a trolling motor.

 

[drew_caplan]

I agree, I am going to order a main disconnect and install it this fall and maybe consider at the same time adding a second battery to the boat. Thanks for the feedback everyone!

 

[drew_caplan]

Two more jobs off my list today! I was able to find the OEM bow light (the old one was missing the top) and I fixed the horrible sonar hole the previous owner made with a clamshell.

Also, while testing the light I turned around to be squirted directly in the face with spray on wax by my three year old skipper. I have never gone for a waxing before but for some reason I am still as hairy as I was before I got waxed.

Some more photos of the new boat, enjoying every second of it!

 

[drew_caplan]

I also got a chance to tackle the trailer today. The wiring was a mess so I removed all twist-on connectors, soldered and shrink wrapped everything.