Four Winns TS222 Tow Series w. new VP Drive

Flyindutchman · **Posted:** Wed Feb 18, 2015 3:05 pm

LouC wrote:

I think they are banking on people not considering that the fwd facing IO while it will have good handling, is going to cost more to maintain than a direct drive ski boat. People who own these are not used to the regular maintenance that any I/O requires compared to a much simpler straight inboard configuration. Even saying that they are equal in the lack of shallow water flexibility.
So the way I see it, this handles better and the engine is not in the middle of the boat like a direct drive boat. The v drive set up is harder to work on usually but also has the seating advantages of the I/O set up.

I think 99% of wakeboard/wakesurf boats are v-drive. Direct is now only used for dedicated waterski boats in the tow boat segment.

ric · **Posted:** Wed Feb 18, 2015 9:27 pm

Flyindutchman wrote:

100% of wakeboard/wakesurf boats are v-drive.

Fixed.

Jdpber · **Posted:** Thu Feb 19, 2015 8:56 am

yea the V drive yields a much better cockpit arrangement and this is whey it is widely used..

but their is something to be said about a straight drive with track fins.. a 300-450hp SkiNautique is like a sports car on the water. top notch handling. if the arrangement for seating was not totally screwed by the middle mounted engine i would own one.

Flyindutchman · **Posted:** Thu Feb 19, 2015 9:55 am

Jdpber wrote:

yea the V drive yields a much better cockpit arrangement and this is whey it is widely used..

but their is something to be said about a straight drive with track fins.. a 300-450hp SkiNautique is like a sports car on the water. top notch handling. if the arrangement for seating was not totally screwed by the middle mounted engine i would own one.

I think v-drive vs direct-drive it is more about weight distribution for wake than seating. Competitive ski boats have traditionally had centre mount motors with direct drive (and narrower beam and flatter hull at rear) to reduce wake. Seating is definitely a benefit with v-drive though.

Jdpber · **Posted:** Thu Feb 19, 2015 10:41 am

yea every competition i have ever been in on the slalom course has seated 3-4 people in a direct drive. and you need a stern wedge to make any wake. the modern walk boats are aranged different and have complete diff hull design specific to throw a fat wake.

the right tool for the individual job.

bridgeportmarine · **Joined:** Wed May 27, 2015 2:40 pm **Posts:** 1

I just water-tested one of the first in the field. The Four Winns TS222 ran out very well and produced a nice wake. I don't think the prop clearance is an issue. The idea that a conventional stern drive position offers some sort of protection is (in my opinion) wishful thinking

.

ric · **Posted:** Wed May 27, 2015 3:23 pm

There's no way that boat produces a better wakesurfing wake than a dedicated ski boat. It's just an SL222

LouC · **Posted:** Wed May 27, 2015 3:44 pm

If you launch from a trailer and have any water levels less than 5 feet that design is going to cost you or just be a pain because of a lack of flexibility. Would not want it here in LI with the tides ; 7 foot water depth change every 6 hrs.

ric · **Posted:** Wed May 27, 2015 3:51 pm

This is all I can think of when I saw that boat in Miami

Jdpber · **Posted:** Wed May 27, 2015 3:52 pm

if you run aground.. have fun with the $15,000 dollar bill to replace the drive you just ripped pff.

i looked at one here in town on a non FW and it is the worst thing possible.. i can think of more HORRIBLE scenarios that out weight the marginal fuel economy gains..

and a set of side table can fix the wake issue on any boat.

Flyindutchman · **Posted:** Wed May 27, 2015 4:56 pm

ric wrote:

There's no way that boat produces a better wakesurfing wake than a dedicated ski boat. It's just an SL222

Let's say 'dedicated wakesurf boat' instead. Hardly anyone is using a ski boat for wakesurfing. I bet the wake from the SL222 hull with ballast and tabs probably IS better than a ski boat. Sure looks like a legit clean wake in the promo vid (unless that was shot from a mastercraft...lol)

Flyindutchman · **Posted:** Wed Jul 01, 2015 3:03 pm

Just came across this updated video of the TS222 in action. A good look at the outdrive clearance near the end of the video. Impressive wake actually!

https://youtu.be/3QhQSmR5LDo

www.iFourWinns.com

Four Winns TS222 Tow Series w. new VP Drive

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