Advice on a 4 winns restoration

tpenfield

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Jul 18, 2011
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18,040
Nothing screams quality like rotting wood as loosely sprayed chopper gun fibers. :rolleyes:

Time to break out the Sawzall and start the cut 'n gut.
 

Pmt133

Chief Petty Officer
Joined
Jan 6, 2022
Messages
574
Nothing screams quality like rotting wood as loosely sprayed chopper gun fibers. :rolleyes:

Time to break out the Sawzall and start the cut 'n gut.
From the cabin and fuel tank inspection of the stringers it looks like a chop mat with a bad lay up. But the back looks like a chop gun, so I can't say for sure. granted it's still a nicer job than anything on the welcraft. (other boat) I would have figured by 2006 they would have had that manufacturing method figured out... Nope. Plenty of voids I had to fix....
 

Pmt133

Chief Petty Officer
Joined
Jan 6, 2022
Messages
574
That’s a shame. I completely restored my 20’ Chaparral by myself. Mine may have been a little easier since it was an open bow. That said, any boat from this era will be rotted unless it was restored. The 3.0 is a good motor, and extremely reliable. It would make a decent boat if restored, and last many, many years. Ultimately the decision is yours.
There is a lot going on between the cabin bulkhead and all the cross bracing done inside the cabin. That is the only thing I am unsure of making look right when finished. But again. I know my limitations and there are certain things on it that I would need two hands on. It's not a matter of if I can do it myself. I know I can. It's a matter of should I bother because it is unreasonable to do yourself. And that's where I am... It's been a great boat since I was a kid.

I have no issue with the 3.0l other than it screams and the boat is slow. The fact that it's had some 20 years of use with nothing other than routine maintenance is a testament for it being pretty rock solid... I've towed many a boat back with that boat. Never an issue. Only time I needed a tow was when I miscalculated my fuel burn when my sender went out. I was about 400 yards shy of the fuel dock when it died.
 

flashback

Captain
Joined
Jun 28, 2002
Messages
3,963
Your mind and your heart are at odds and the work involved restoring it would need to overcome your mind then you could probably enjoy the adventure.
 

flashback

Captain
Joined
Jun 28, 2002
Messages
3,963
Sometimes they're best left on the wall. That old 50s Chris keeps My heart and mind in agreement..
Best of luck to you,
 

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