z16marine

Hello,

First post! I am looking at a 1996 FourWinns U-17 with a 5.0. Seller states boat is in great condition, etc. They are asking around 10,500. However, NADA has the boat around 4,300. I know I have optioned the boat out correctly, but NADA seems to "undervalue" boats most times I look. Is this normally the case or should I offer closer to NADA?

Rippem

I believe those hulls were known to be really dangerous/ill-handling if memory serves correctly
search that hull has been discussed here before over the years

Airpacker

Yes they were. Very poor handling manners. Not worth a nickle, never mind 10 grand

THEJOKER

Aren't these hulls the 18 Donzi copy?

Scott B

Duoprop or single?

Yes, 18 Classic hull. The tales of poor handling were greatly exaggerated...

scarabman

iTrader: (1)

Didnt the U-17s have a rounded keel though?

Scott B

So do the 18 classics..

storz

Ask over at the Donzi registry, there are a couple people over there with them. From what I understand Four Winns owned Donzi, or part of Donzi during the time the U17/U19 boats were produced

Rippem

I think it was the U-19 that powerboat panned HARD as one of the worst hulls ever tested at least with the power in the test boat
I'm pretty sure I have the issue upstairs in the barn
maybe PB didn't know what they were talking about?

pbjsammich

I'm actually the seller....decided to do a search on my "for sale competition" and this thread popped up

Here's a quote directly from another thread on this site:

"I have a ton of time in both the U17 and U19. I rode in a U17 prototype back in 1995 and that was the boat that got me hooked. As you already know they are bad-azz little boats, especially in the rough. Built like a brick chithouse.

They were only made for 2 years, 1996 and 1997. The 1996s came with higher hp motors and the 1997s came with slightly less hp. They got a bad rap from a boating magazine(I can't remember which one) and I think that really hurt sales. What the magazine didn't mention is they were testing a boat with no trim limit switches and they went into a turn with the drive tucked under and put the boat on it's side.

The 1997s also lost the classic looks. The combo of lower hp, loss of the classic look and the boat test review ended the life of the Unlimiteds. Too bad but makes owning one now much better!"

OP, it's a great boat and ready to hit the lake. Throw me an offer if you'd like......