Four Winns TS222 Tow Series w. new VP Drive

schoolsOut · **Posted:** Sun Feb 15, 2015 8:29 am

TX H210SS wrote:

I agree with those points being concerns. It may be best thing since sliced bread, but I would be in the wait and see group. I would like to see it on a trailer and wonder if it sits as high as that display photo ric posted. I don't see how the front mounted props add to the wake at all. Increase turn radius yes, but other performance increase over standard duo prop would be questionable.

I do see nicely fitted wake plates that look like hull extension. I wonder if those would fit H series models. Those plates and fatsacs are how they're getting the wake, not forward props. I'm trying to understand what advantage to this setup is over the vdrive is. With the vdrive there's no drive obstruction between wake plate and the wake as there is on this setup.

It seems to me as Lou said, the props run deeper with trim up. It is different, but I was hoping for the vdrive option personally. Not that I have coin for it!

Pretty much my thoughts exactly...wait and see and then still not buy one until a few years down the road when the make it into the used boat market.

Regarding the clearance on trailer issue, this is not unique to this drive. My brother had a new cobalt 220 with volvo dp drive and there is very little clearance to tilt the drive on the trailer due to the water level swim platform. He trailers it very little because he keeps it in the water at his lake house, but in the couple of times he has had to trailer it so far, he has scuffed the skeg already. It really is shocking how little clearance he has under the drive when on the trailer.

schoolsOut · **Posted:** Sun Feb 15, 2015 8:30 am

I'm guessing no price tag at the boat show?

blue dragon · **Joined:** Tue Jul 12, 2011 5:01 pm **Posts:** 787

I will chime in and say that this is an SL hull, and there is enough clearance under the swim platform when the rear facing duoprop is trimmed up.

Surface Interval · **Posted:** Sun Feb 15, 2015 9:58 am

It appears to me that this drive will be much more prone to ground contact damage on the trailer or in shallow water or from hitting a log or floating object than a conventional outdrive. While it could be operated at fairly high trim angles, so can a conventional outdrive. The problem is that both are prone to increased u-joint and gear wear when operated at higher trim angles. I can see where this drive may get a few shallow water nick names like "personal dredging machine" or become a business builder for prop shops. As a boat is brought in to shallow water, one of the most critical components, the prop-set, is the first thing to contact the bottom and be damaged. I'll pass, thanks anyway.

LouC · **Posted:** Sun Feb 15, 2015 10:17 am

The boat ramp I usually use has about 4' water depth at the transom .....
No way that would work. In my mooring spot the props would be in about 6" of mud at low tide.

Flyindutchman · **Posted:** Mon Feb 16, 2015 7:51 pm

My thought is that ALL of the concerns mentioned with potential damage and shallow water operation are likely valid, however, for those who want a safe wakesurfing solution without the expense/limitation of a dedicated v-drive towboat setup, this is pretty much the only option save for that other new i/o boat (Bryant) which appears to be just a bow rider fitted with ballast and a super extended swim platform. If the pricing comes in reasonably lower than a Mastercraft/Malibu/Tigé (which also have crazy custom trailers?), it just might be successful. I am going to take a close look at it for our lake use for sure. We tube, board, and would love to add 'safe' wakesurfing to the list.

ric · **Posted:** Mon Feb 16, 2015 9:13 pm

This drive is no more a problem than a normal inboard powered boat. It's not for cruising in the bay, it's a design so Volvo Penta can enter the water sports market, specifically the wake surfing market.

The only concern of mine is getting a properly shaped hull to wake surf behind, cause the TS222 isn't it. The 50k out the door Moomba Outback V still beats this in price and wave shape.

Jdpber · **Posted:** Tue Feb 17, 2015 9:37 am

can we all agree that this drive is retarded for anyone not living on deep water that has a lift at their covered dock

ric · **Posted:** Tue Feb 17, 2015 9:39 am

Jdpber wrote:

can we all agree that this drive is retarded for anyone not living on deep water that has a lift at their covered dock

AKA, every inboard boat.

Jdpber · **Posted:** Tue Feb 17, 2015 11:21 am

potentially yes. but i for see a lot of insurance claims from under water drive damage on this design... it may be more efficient in delivering the power, while also more efficient ad f***ing shit up and running up a hefty bill at the same time.

rpengr · **Posted:** Tue Feb 17, 2015 4:23 pm

ric wrote:

The only concern of mine is getting a properly shaped hull to wake surf behind, cause the TS222 isn't it. The 50k out the door Moomba Outback V still beats this in price and wave shape.

I would wait until you see what kind of wake it throws before you make that judgment. I see some interesting differences in the running surfaces. This is NOT a horizon hull.

ric · **Posted:** Tue Feb 17, 2015 7:20 pm

rpengr wrote:

ric wrote:

The only concern of mine is getting a properly shaped hull to wake surf behind, cause the TS222 isn't it. The 50k out the door Moomba Outback V still beats this in price and wave shape.

I would wait until you see what kind of wake it throws before you make that judgment. I see some interesting differences in the running surfaces. This is NOT a horizon hull.

No, it's an SL hull.

Flyindutchman · **Posted:** Tue Feb 17, 2015 7:52 pm

ric wrote:

rpengr wrote:

ric wrote:

The only concern of mine is getting a properly shaped hull to wake surf behind, cause the TS222 isn't it. The 50k out the door Moomba Outback V still beats this in price and wave shape.

I would wait until you see what kind of wake it throws before you make that judgment. I see some interesting differences in the running surfaces. This is NOT a horizon hull.

No, it's an SL hull.

Yep. It's an SL222 with all the wake/surf toys.

TX H210SS · **Joined:** Thu May 27, 2010 9:10 am **Posts:** 1488

I would like to see the wake in relation to how boat is riding thru the water as compared to the vdrive models. Honestlyi would expect a little lesser and dirtier wake on the ts222, but that's some of the trade off.

If someone is seeking a pure wake boat then they will get one. This is not aimed at competition boarders that don't mind the rougher ride. But if you are in deep water area, steep ramps or slip with lift and want to surf and board on a competant ride then this may be answer.

I would have water up to my ass in my truck to launch this or a vdrive where I usually go...unless the tongue on trailer is 12 feet long. Depending on lake level everyone would have to swim out to it. They're use to that though if we go ashore cuz i anchor in 4 feet ....I got a red scratch free hull and want to keep it that way.

Regardless I want to see this ride put thru the paces.

LouC · **Posted:** Wed Feb 18, 2015 2:51 pm

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.

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Four Winns TS222 Tow Series w. new VP Drive

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