www.iFourWinns.com

We are considering trading our boat for a 26' Powerquest Legend XL. Only real reason is the lakes in our area are always so dang rough and we are not happy with the way the Horizon handles the big waves. Bow tends to slam down a lot over the waves making a very rough ride. PLus we realy did want a cuddie before with at least a porti-pottie in it. Anyone have any expierence with Powerquest boats? I know a lot of people in our area run this type or style boat and them seem to ride alot better. Here is the one we are considering. Its a little older than what we have, but also 6' longer and you can't beat the sound of a 502 big block! Also going older so that it is in our price range. Thinking I should at least get the smae amount for mine on trade if not a little extra.

http://www.boats.com/listing/gallery.js ... .com&pic=0

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1998 Baja Boss 252 7.4L MPI Bravo 1 (SOLD)
2007 FW H200SS 5.0GXI (Sold)
2004 Chevy Silverado 2500 Crew 6.0L (tow vehicle)
1991 FW 170 Freedom 4.3L (SOLD)

It looks clean in the pics! good luck on what ever you decide.

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Troy
2008 Centurion Avalanche
1994 Four Winns Horizon 180 SE 5.0L OMC Cobra (Sold)
2002 Ford F150 Harley Davidson Edition (http://www.nhtoc.com) 378 hp & 465 tq at rear wheels
2008 Honda Accord EX-L w/Nav

That looks like a real nice boat. Going with a cuddy is definitely the way to go. We regret not putting more thought into this when we upgraded. The big bow riders are good day boats for cruising and lounging but cost too much in fuel for water sports. The cuddy will give you lots of elbow room to use the head and a good dry shelter should you get caught up in a storm.

Going up in size will help definitely smooth out your ride. The extra weight in the bow helps too. Our 260 can handle as much rough water as Lake Ontario can throw at us. But there are times when you could have a very big boat and still it will be "rough" depending on your heading.

Have you considered a FW Sundowner in the 255 or 265 designation?

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Marc, Kathlin & Nathalie


'89 Chaparral Laser 32

'93 Vista 245, 5.8L w/ King Cobra

Former Boats
'01 H260, 7.4 VP Duoprop
'98 H200, 5.0 GL w/VP SX drive

The Sundowner doesn't have the loud pipes!!

_________________
1998 Baja Boss 252 7.4L MPI Bravo 1 (SOLD)
2007 FW H200SS 5.0GXI (Sold)
2004 Chevy Silverado 2500 Crew 6.0L (tow vehicle)
1991 FW 170 Freedom 4.3L (SOLD)

You could always add the pipes! Just because everybody else has a Powerquest doesn't mean you have to also! Buy what you would like but my only recommendation is that you sit down and try and look ahead 5-7 years and make a list of your needs, wants and financial impacts should you have to "jump ship". Changing priorities midstream is very expensive!

I only offer this advice because we didn't do enough hard thinking and now I am trying to sell our boat while installing a pool and hopefully looking to pick up a mid 90's Sundowner for under 10K as our ocassional escape. Our 4 1/2 yr old will get much better use out of the pool and selling the big boat will free up lots of cash both in capital and saved fuel, insurance and maintenance costs (assuming I don't get another boat right away!) BTw, the selling market sucks right now! I haven't had a single serious person look at my boat and it's been advertised for 2 months! I am going to try one more round of boat trader and then I am going to give up til next year.

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Marc, Kathlin & Nathalie


'89 Chaparral Laser 32

'93 Vista 245, 5.8L w/ King Cobra

Former Boats
'01 H260, 7.4 VP Duoprop
'98 H200, 5.0 GL w/VP SX drive

Not looking at it because everyone else has one. They have this style boat here for a reason. They handle rough water very nice so I am told. Guy at work has a 25' Mirage which is pretty much the same and he says it is much better than his old 21' bowrider. Plus having a cuddie will be nice for the kids I think. Don't get me wrong I love our boat in every way except the way it handles in rough water. This is actually the style boat I wanted before getting the Four Winns, but picked up the FW for such a steal.

_________________
1998 Baja Boss 252 7.4L MPI Bravo 1 (SOLD)
2007 FW H200SS 5.0GXI (Sold)
2004 Chevy Silverado 2500 Crew 6.0L (tow vehicle)
1991 FW 170 Freedom 4.3L (SOLD)

Powerquest has been around for a long time, they are known as a budget power boat builder like Baja. For the last few years they have been on the edge of going under, rumor has it.

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I must agree with txjole that the Baja do look cheaply made to me, yet they are very expensive boats. I actually never heard of Powerquest until two weeks ago when the guy tied up next to me had one and we got to talking. He has been very happy with the quality. I know they are a smaller company and could go out of buisness any day, but so could any boat mfg. Plus there are a lot of aftermarket companies out there making parts for this style boat. Most part and what not on it can be gotten without going to the MFG. If not you can always modify or fabricate.

On another note the first one I was working fell through. Turns out my boat is worth to much compared to the one I was looking at. They did offer an even trade, but I would be foolish to do that. Found a little bit nicer one actually just down the street from my house.

http://www.shipyardmarine.com/searcheng ... tDir=ASC&#

_________________
1998 Baja Boss 252 7.4L MPI Bravo 1 (SOLD)
2007 FW H200SS 5.0GXI (Sold)
2004 Chevy Silverado 2500 Crew 6.0L (tow vehicle)
1991 FW 170 Freedom 4.3L (SOLD)

Not a fan of the purple but otherwise a great looking boat.

_________________
Troy
2008 Centurion Avalanche
1994 Four Winns Horizon 180 SE 5.0L OMC Cobra (Sold)
2002 Ford F150 Harley Davidson Edition (http://www.nhtoc.com) 378 hp & 465 tq at rear wheels
2008 Honda Accord EX-L w/Nav

Not normally a big purple fan either, but for some reason it works on a boat. Wife likes it though.

_________________
1998 Baja Boss 252 7.4L MPI Bravo 1 (SOLD)
2007 FW H200SS 5.0GXI (Sold)
2004 Chevy Silverado 2500 Crew 6.0L (tow vehicle)
1991 FW 170 Freedom 4.3L (SOLD)

I have heard they are a good boat but on the lower end of the go fast market! Looking at this type of boat plan on getting less boat for the money. (because of the style) compared to a FW or other. Don't get me wrong i love the style of the go fast!! If i was in the market for a good big water boat or go fast i would look at a Fountain or Formula. My good friend has a 27' Fountain Fever that we take on lake michigan and it goes through the 3 to 4' waves like nothing. Plus he can do it at 60mph no problem. I would be wet in my 23' horizon. Just an idea might want to check them out!! Have you gone on a sea-trial?? DREW

Yes I know that the Fountain's are a nicer boat, but they also way expensive. Almost triple the price of what I am looking at. I would love to have a Fountain or a Donzi, but man I could buy another house for the price of some of them.

_________________
1998 Baja Boss 252 7.4L MPI Bravo 1 (SOLD)
2007 FW H200SS 5.0GXI (Sold)
2004 Chevy Silverado 2500 Crew 6.0L (tow vehicle)
1991 FW 170 Freedom 4.3L (SOLD)

I have never been on a Powerquest but since they are based in the area (Holland, MI) I see quite a few of them when we are out on the lake. Can also hear them when they leave the channel from Lake Mac. into Lake Michigan! Love the sound of the open pipes. I would agree that they are a little more offshore/go fast based hull design than the Sundowner.


We are at the cottage all week and on the boat most days so I will ask around what others think of them.

_________________
Terry
Current: 07 Crownline 255 CCR cuddy - 350 Mag MPI/B3 "Casi Cielo"

Previous:97 245 Sundowner 5.7GI/SX

Tow vehicle: 1986 GMC 2500 Camper Special 454/TH400

Thanks. this is one thing I do like about them that they are built in Michigan just like FW.

_________________
1998 Baja Boss 252 7.4L MPI Bravo 1 (SOLD)
2007 FW H200SS 5.0GXI (Sold)
2004 Chevy Silverado 2500 Crew 6.0L (tow vehicle)
1991 FW 170 Freedom 4.3L (SOLD)

Nice looking boat. I am sure it has a way to shut the exhaust off? Nothing is more annoying than some small "unit" guy looking to draw attention by his loud boat. Open it up when you are out on the lake. By the way...that boat will weigh a lot more than your current one. What will you tow it with?

Yes, they are local here and used to be very popular. They went out of business for a few years and with the past two years have been brought back to life. Glad to see that in this area.