Four Winns TS222 Tow Series w. new VP Drive

Cap'n Morgan · **Posted:** Fri Feb 13, 2015 7:01 am

RotaryRacer wrote:

Does anyone have insight on the cost of this vs. a DuoProp?

It seems the transom assembly and upper drive are essentially the same as the typical VP units today with a new lower unit.

I can't imagine this would be much more expensive than a regular DuoProp.

RR,
Cost = 10% more than a Duo prop drive
Transom & Upper Assy= Its case is cast in aluminum and bolts directly to a Duoprop outdrive mid-section.

Unlike an inboard, the Forward Drive offers trim capability, which can be used to create a larger wake. It also expels all of its exhaust under water, so a surfer is not exposed to fumes.

The Forward Drive will be paired with gasoline engines from 200 to 430 horsepower. Volvo expects the prime application to be from 300 to 430 horsepower. All-new K Series propsets have been designed for the drive. The K series propsets are made in Italy.

Hope this helps.

ric · **Posted:** Fri Feb 13, 2015 3:07 pm

ric · **Posted:** Fri Feb 13, 2015 3:47 pm

So is it just me or is the trailer for this boat going to be ridiculous

Jdpber · **Posted:** Fri Feb 13, 2015 3:53 pm

ric wrote:

So is it just me or is the trailer for this boat going to be ridiculous

exactly. good luck getting this in any garage in america.. hell even a 9' height may not clear the wind shield lol

babbot1 · **Joined:** Tue Mar 12, 2013 3:46 pm **Posts:** 570

ric wrote:

So is it just me or is the trailer for this boat going to be ridiculous

I was thinking the same thing. The prop is low, probably not lower than an inboard but its so far back that it would stick way past the axles on the trailer where an inboard is closer with less chance of bottoming. It's hard to tell if the drive is full up by the pic but it sure doesn't look like it will go much farther.

rchamberlin · **Posted:** Fri Feb 13, 2015 4:02 pm

http://www.fourwinns.com/overview/TS222

Jdpber · **Posted:** Fri Feb 13, 2015 4:23 pm

they had clever camera angles for the trailer and did not show how high it sits..

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

RichA · **Joined:** Wed Jun 25, 2014 12:37 pm **Posts:** 98

schoolsOut wrote:

Upon further review...I am thinking that this is not any more of a risk than on a v-drive boat, which is the segment they are trying to compete with. I have not heard of that many v-drives dragging a prop or smacking a log (although I have not really been on the lookout for those situations either). I really do like the concept. There are definite advantages of the forward prop.

With a v-drive, when you hit something, you damage a (relatively) inexpensive prop, and, if it's really bad, maybe a shaft, but likely nothing else costly. With the new setup, you've got cases, gears, mounting plates, trim mechanism, steering mechanism, and two very pricey props. Sounds like more of a risk to me.

schoolsOut · **Posted:** Sat Feb 14, 2015 6:23 pm

RichA wrote:

schoolsOut wrote:

Upon further review...I am thinking that this is not any more of a risk than on a v-drive boat, which is the segment they are trying to compete with. I have not heard of that many v-drives dragging a prop or smacking a log (although I have not really been on the lookout for those situations either). I really do like the concept. There are definite advantages of the forward prop.

With a v-drive, when you hit something, you damage a (relatively) inexpensive prop, and, if it's really bad, maybe a shaft, but likely nothing else costly. With the new setup, you've got cases, gears, mounting plates, trim mechanism, steering mechanism, and two very pricey props. Sounds like more of a risk to me.

Totally get what you are saying. Definitely greater damage to your wallet if you ding this thing. I am just wondering how easy or difficult it would actually be to hit something. Here is a pic from the video on four winns website. The props look pretty tucked up close to the hull. I guess only time will tell if these things work. I would think Volvo Penta must have tested them significantly before spending a fortune on production.

ric · **Posted:** Sat Feb 14, 2015 10:59 pm

Saw it today. Meh.

LouC · **Posted:** Sat Feb 14, 2015 11:43 pm

That boat would draw too much water to be launched at some shallow ramps. I see 3 problems with the design:
1 When you trim up, the props get closer to the bottom, the opposite of what happens with rear mounted props
2 Due to the low swim platform, the drive cannot be trimmed up as high as a conventional drive
3 And because of problem #2 it will sit much higher on the trailer.
Look at the side view, most conventional drives will trim up so the skeg is even with the bottom of the keel at the transom. No way you can do that with this boat.

I don't doubt it has performance advantages but shallow water running and launching at shallow ramps will be more difficult.

Compare how low that is with this:

https://www.dropbox.com/s/e0lcg8kglsone ... 2.jpg?dl=0

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

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!

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

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!

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

Interesting segment of review from boats.com

" The key Forward Drive disadvantage I note so far is that, unlike a standard sterndrive, it can’t be trimmed above the bottom of the boat. At full tilt the props are still about a foot lower than the keel, so it may be tricky to beach and will certainly draw more water. It will also require a special trailer to carry the boat higher in the back, with a cut-out for the drive, sort of like an inboard trailer.

Volvo says Forward Drive creates no performance benefits, nor any sacrifices. Fuel economy, speed and acceleration are comparable to the performance of a Duoprop. The Forward Drive does offer outstanding thrust and control in reverse because the props are never in the wash of exhaust."

www.iFourWinns.com

Four Winns TS222 Tow Series w. new VP Drive

Who is online