Need Opinion On 1995 Fourwinns Sundowner Cuddy

[synergy141]

Hi, Looking to buy a 1995 Fourwinns 20ft Cuddy. I dont know to much about this particular make and model. I have a 20ft Wellcraft bowrider now. The Fourwinns has the Ford 302 5.0 EFI with the OMC/VOLVO drive??? The guy says its an OMC but was 1995 the Year where OMC and Volvo were a joint Venture? How good is this engine/drive combo?? It has 310 hours on it and he is the original owner. Boat has snap in carpet over a fiberglass floor. All maintence records, Excellent Cond. Asking $9000. What do you guys think?

 

[TilliamWe]

Re: Need Opinion On 1995 Fourwinns Sundowner Cuddy

IF it's actually a Volvo drive, that's a good thing. IF it's REALLY an OMC Cobra, it's a bad thing. The Ford engine is a bad thing too.
The price is WAY TOO HIGH, regardless of what the drive is.

 

[synergy141]

Re: Need Opinion On 1995 Fourwinns Sundowner Cuddy

what is wrong with the ford 302? Is it because they stopped making marine engines in the mid 90's? I have heard they were not too bad. I am pretty certain it is the volvo sx cobra drive, if it is a true blue OMC Im definitly not buying it. What do you think is a realistic price for this boat? Prices in the Pacific North west are usually a bit higher than the rest of the country.

 

[JoLin]

Re: Need Opinion On 1995 Fourwinns Sundowner Cuddy

Ford wasn't bad.
OMC wasn't bad.

Neither have been supported for years. That alone is worth a HUGE reduction in price. That price might be justifiable for a pristine boat powered by a GM/Mercruier or GM/Volvo Penta. I'd expect to get a trailer in good condition with it, too.

BUT, why do you want to set yourself up for a struggle finding mechanics and parts, and paying extra for the privilege? Your call, of course, but I wouldn't consider it.

My .02

 

[synergy141]

Re: Need Opinion On 1995 Fourwinns Sundowner Cuddy

So you think no one these days will work on a Volvo SX Cobra drive? , I though they were exact clones of the Regular Volvo SX?

 

[windsors03cobra]

Re: Need Opinion On 1995 Fourwinns Sundowner Cuddy

This boat is in my price range (well not this overpriced example) and I have looked at a few and I like the boat and I love Fords I have several 302 powered vehicles but the Cobra drive and EFI scare me some, I really love the look of the EFI intake and Cobra nameplate, the drive also looks good, looks beefy.
The 5.8 EFI Cobra is very sweet to me, its just too bad the support is limited.

Love the EFI theory but I think the reliability may suffer over a carb. And needing a scan tool and limp modes. The drive while I think you may find service providers here and there but all parts and service will be more than Mercruiser money.
I swore I saw a mid 90's Sundowner on the craigslist that had a Mercury drive, and a 350. Rare bird.

 

[onthelake2010]

Re: Need Opinion On 1995 Fourwinns Sundowner Cuddy

Synergy,
I would also agree that $9K is too high in Canada and in this market.
If it is OMC cobra, that doesn't scare me, however, check with your local marinas to see who is servicing OMC's that have been doing it for along time. The challenge with OMC is the shifting into gear and out of gear.
They will work great when setup properly, but few know how to properly setup the shifting.

Parts are getting slim, but are still available. I am still able to get parts for my 89 OMC east of you.

I'd would offer $7k and be prepared to walk.

 

[synergy141]

Re: Need Opinion On 1995 Fourwinns Sundowner Cuddy

It is a volvo made Omc

 

[onthelake2010]

Re: Need Opinion On 1995 Fourwinns Sundowner Cuddy

Do a sea trial and get a survey.
I found one listed in NJ. That is a very nice boat if she is clean.
http://ads.boatboss.com/169_Ocean_City/25743_1995_20_Four_Winns.html

 

[synergy141]

Re: Need Opinion On 1995 Fourwinns Sundowner Cuddy

I guess I should go farther south then to find the deals. The prices in Oregon and Washington are pretty high. Even if I got it at around $9000 I would be still be making money when I bring it up to Canada. I bought my 93 Wellcraft Excel 20sx in Seattle last year for $3500 with trailer , It is mint cond and I got it with 199 hours and I put 100 hours on it last season with zero problems. Im selling it now up in Canada had offers on it for $12,000 . I have been flipping them for a couple years now so I wont be losing any money on it. Im just concerned about the Ford 5.0 motor, everyone is saying stay away. I would rather pay more for this original owner boat that has all maintence records instead of a cheaper one with no records.

 

[RotaryRacer]

Re: Need Opinion On 1995 Fourwinns Sundowner Cuddy

I swore I saw a mid 90's Sundowner on the craigslist that had a Mercury drive, and a 350. Rare bird.

If you did, it was repowered. Four Winns were exclusively OMC/Volvo from 1988-2001. 2002 was the first year that Mercruisers were available again.

Regarding the Sundowner that the OP is asking about, what size is it? 195 or 205?

In that year range the fiberglass cockpit liner with snap in carpet was an option (a very nice, yet rare option)

If you are ok with the Ford engine and the EFI sytem, it could be a really nice boat.

 

[Lou C]

Re: Need Opinion On 1995 Fourwinns Sundowner Cuddy

I'd be careful with this one...if it's got the joint venture drive that's not the problem...it's more that the Ford 302 with EFI may have parts specific to that model (either in the electronic ignition system or FI system) that may no longer be available and then you are SOL if you have a problem. If this boat had a Chevy engine, points n condenser ignition and a carb (with the joint venture drive) then I'd say OK that's not going to be a problem to get parts for. I'd go over to www.dougrussell.com and look up parts for that model...see how many are NLA (no longer available) and that will help you make up your mind. I happen to like FWs myself but I'd go for a newer one with a Volvo and an engine that's still supported.....

 

[synergy141]

Re: Need Opinion On 1995 Fourwinns Sundowner Cuddy

If you did, it was repowered. Four Winns were exclusively OMC/Volvo from 1988-2001. 2002 was the first year that Mercruisers were available again.

Regarding the Sundowner that the OP is asking about, what size is it? 195 or 205?

In that year range the fiberglass cockpit liner with snap in carpet was an option (a very nice, yet rare option)

If you are ok with the Ford engine and the EFI sytem, it could be a really nice boat.

The boat is the 205 model with the snap in carpet over fiberglass floor. The only other option I noticed it did not have was the sport seating arrangement.

 

[synergy141]

Re: Need Opinion On 1995 Fourwinns Sundowner Cuddy

Does anyone know if these boats still had wood in the stringers or anywhere else in the construction even though it has the Full fiberglass floor?

 

[RotaryRacer]

Re: Need Opinion On 1995 Fourwinns Sundowner Cuddy

Four Winns uses a balsa core in their fiberglass cockpit liners. They also uses to use some marine ply to add a little more structure to the sole in key areas. They also used marine ply in the transom in the mid-90s. Of all the builders that use(d) wood, I trust Four Winns. They do an exceptional job of sealing any/all wood very well.