Starting my very first restore project 88" Four Winns 180 Horizon

[PA Pirate]

Hello all,

This is not only my very first boat restore project but also my very first post on anything, ever! I must say after researching other threads and posts on here you all make a newbie such as myself feel anything is possible and I for one appreciate all who have posted pics and extremely descriptive instructions.

Now about my project, what I have is a 1988 Four Winn's 180 Horizon with the HP OMC I/O.( I will post some pics soon ) The exterior is heavily oxidized, the interior is all sun faded and useless as far as reupholstering goes due to the plywood backing being so far gone it is actually flexible to point of irreversible repair. The floor does have some soft spots which I know I will be ripping up anyway to check what I'm sure will be heavily rotted stringers.

Now mind you I have never, ever dissected & restored a boat and will be relying on posts and threads as I go for repair advice and procedure. This will be a estimate to the knowledge and mentor style advice that I had found on the IBOATS forums website to help boaters such as myself.

Please, if you have any advice or comments let me know and I will post pics as I go to let you all see how its coming.

Best Regards,

PA Pirate

 

[drewpster]

Re: Starting my very first restore project 88" Four Winns 180 Horizon

The best way to get started is to do a good assessment of how much damage there is and determine what course you want to take. The projects here range from minor gelcoat repairs to full teardown and restorations of complete vessels.
I always advise DIY boat owners to first decide for themselves what they want to accomplish prior to starting the job. You have to go into it knowing that it can turn into something more than you expect. Old boats with soft cores generally need allot of repair. It can be done. The question is, are you prepared to do it?
I don?t mean to be a downer. There is allot of help available here, including members who do this professionally, and they are willing to help. I just want to make it clear that restoring an old boat is different from fixing up an old boat. Rotten cores and leaky hulls can be dangerous. I don?t think anyone here would recommend "fixing up" a boat with a rotten transom. If you are looking to get on the water faster, and perhaps cheaper, you should go buy one with solid cores and iboats can help you fix it up. If you are willing to take the time and spend the money iboats can help you make your old boat new again. Picking the right boat to start with along with knowing what you want to achieve is the key to being successful.

either way we are here to help

enjoy
drewp

 

[PA Pirate]

Re: Starting my very first restore project 88" Four Winns 180 Horizon

Thanks for the advice drewpster! When I said the floor had soft spots I meant the wooden areas of the floor the fiberglass is all sound and starcrack free.

I have taken the boat out for a spin for an initial evaluation.
The good news is :
1. The transom is in great shape.
2. It started
3. The throttle is responsive.
4. Best of all it doesnt leak or take on water.

The bad news:
1. All the seats are not fit for using... hahaha found this out the hard way.
2. The exterior looks like a chalky, oxidized disaster.
3. And I found a nail sticking up thru the carpet (yes, the bad way)

My evaluation is this vessel needs is some TLC. The former owner (a motor head) went thru the motions as far as to remove & wrap the ignition points & plugs & fuses for winter storage & spring installation but left the boat uncovered and exposed to the elements.

This boat needs an appearance overhaul and I will be replacing the carpet, floor, seats, stringers as well as wet sanding the exterior to bring back that lost so long ago luster & shine

I hope to get started this fall and be ready for spring 2011!

 

[ezmobee]

Re: Starting my very first restore project 88" Four Winns 180 Horizon

Howdy neighbor. Good luck with your project. Let's see some pics!

 

[mudson]

Re: Starting my very first restore project 88" Four Winns 180 Horizon

Hey Pirate....

I started a restore on my 89 thompson that I bought with a soft spot in the deck,(I didnt know a thing about boats except that I wanted one),transom luckily was fine but needed to replace the deck. I have never built a thing in my life, I am NOT handy at all, and I kid you not as far as tools go I own a drill, a saw, a hammer, a putty knife and 2 screwdrivers flat and philips,and my total deck replacment is almost done, hope to splash her first thing in the spring. Every single thing I know about working on boats I learned here so you are in good hands here at iboats my man.

 

[Lou C]

Re: Starting my very first restore project 88" Four Winns 180 Horizon

I went through something similar with my 88 FW H-200...first boat, did not know what I was getting into...did a stringer/deck repair, and replaced much of the interior. Still on the original engine and drive. Knowing what I know now, next boat will be a late model no more than 3-4 yrs old. Restos are interesting but very time and labor intensive. Here are some pix of mine...

STILL have the oxidized gelcoat that looks bad, tried buffing it with a professional Makita rotary buffer looked good for 2 weeks than back to crap. Not sure what else can do, I know I can wetsand and buff again but that's probably not going to last either, that leaves painting...

Would I do it again, NO, not enough time and no good place to work, to do boat restos you need a good sized garage because the weather will fight you....