Hi Guys,

Ive been thinking of picking up an old FW liberator under 12K to put up and down the Grand River in front of my house in Grand Haven Mi to the lake. I been thinking of getting a decent used liberator but which model in you opinion id best?

I would like to hear from former owner if possible. What is the boats strengths and weaknesses ? Thanks guys. Post pics of your current FW or old rides.

211 or 261...With MERC drives...I used to sell them...They are the best 2 models they made..Did I say MERC ????!!!!

Hey olddog whats up?? You still up north?

I think my 201 is great. I like the euro styling much better than the 211 (241 & 261 are similar to the 211). The 221 and 251 are similar looking to the 201, but bigger. My 201 ran 55 mph with 270 HP and a labbed prop. Now it has a Bravo 1 drive and approx 450 HP and runs 72 mph with a non-labbed prop. I'm hoping for a few more mph with a labbed prop.

The 261 gets my vote. Great rough water boat, My good friend had one for several years it had 460 Fords and King Cobras. I am a Merc. and GM man but he could not hurt that thing. It now has 800hrs and still running strong. It ran close to 70. If you are looking for a smaller Lib. I like the 211.
Good Luck

Back in the day when 4 Winns was still owned by the Winn Family in Cadillac, Mi, It was my job to get local models and drivers for the Brochures they made each year. I got to drive all of them until the OMC buy-out. If you are on big water consider the 241 or 261. nothing smaller. We had a 211 on Lake Huron, and it was well built, but dicey with large waves.
They made a few 241'w with twin power. They were the fastest, but both of the larger models handled the bigger water very well. In the river, all sizes would be overkill, as far as any weather you could throw at them. So the size that fits your needs would be
the best choice.
Carder

fastninja, as long as you give me a ride, I will tell you the Liberator YOU BOUGHT is the best one EVER!!!

i had a 201 with a 350 and king cobra dive. boat was alot of fun to drive.( when it ran). do not get one with an omc. ive heard many people tell me that the king cobra drive will hold up well and ive heard of people with many many hours with no problem but when that problem hits you will not find anyone to work on them and if you do it most likely will not be right. go merc. just my 2 cents. good luck.

My buddy down the road has a 241 with a 460 and king cobra. It sure is a big heavy beast. It dwarfs my 24 outlaw, but won't keep up with it in the rough or smooth water. his lesbiantor has been passed around several of my friends for the last 15 years like the town slut and it still looks pretty good.

I had the 201, OMC, for 11 yrs!!! Not 1 problem!!!! I beat the pi$$ out of that boat and it came back for more! It handled very well for it's size too.