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PostPosted: Fri Jun 01, 2012 7:15 pm 
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Seahorse

Joined: Mon Sep 08, 2008 9:18 pm
Posts: 21
I've owned a few boats over the years, ranging from a 17' open bow to a 27' Cruiser. I've been without for a few seasons, but that itch is coming back again (a nice Memorial Day w/e last week didn't help). When I purchased the cruiser back in 2007 I had actually started shopping for an open bow, but became sidetracked. Anyhow, long story short, I am wanting to go back to a trailerable boat. The tow vehicle is an Infiniti FX35 rated at up to 3,500 pounds, so I am really limited to an 18' max length.

My shortlist is down to 3 models (or their siblings), assuming I buy a new boat:
Four Winns H180 (or H180 LE)
Chaparral 180 Sport H20
Yamaha SX190 (or AR190)

Pros/cons of each?

My wife and I will be going to the dealers tomorrow (1 of which sells both Chaparral and Yamaha, so it will be a good chance to directly compare). Anything I should really be on the lookout for? I love the layout of the Yamahas, but am leery (due to the jets).

And, if I do go with the Four Winns, any suggestions as to options? Will the 3.0L be capable for tubing/skiing, or do I really need to upgrade to the 4.3L? I am not a speed demon, but also don't want to struggle to get on plane and up to speed.

Thanks in advance, John


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PostPosted: Fri Jun 01, 2012 8:18 pm 
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Joined: Thu Jun 29, 2006 10:26 pm
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Location: Long Island NY
If you want to go with an 18, then consider the 180 Outboard, it will have more room inside and probably perform better than the the 3.0 sterndrive. Maintenance will be less as well. A few of the other sport boat companies finally are bringing back outboard versions of their smaller boats. Modern outboards are nothing like the old 2 strokes, they are quiet, clean and perform very well.

_________________
88 Four Winns 200 Horizon
4.3 OMC Cobra-4bbl
2002 Walker Bay 10/2012 Suzuki 2.5
2008 Walker Bay 8

1998 Jeep Grand Cherokee 4.0/Selectrac
2007 Jeep Grand Cherokee 5.7 Hemi/Quadradrive II


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PostPosted: Fri Jun 01, 2012 11:57 pm 
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life to the full

Joined: Tue Jan 29, 2008 7:13 pm
Posts: 699
Location: Adelaide South Australia
Pass on the H180 LE for the little extra money you spend on the H180 you get a whole lot more in comfort. As for the engine if you go for the stern drive over the outboard, I have found the 3.0 litre to be quite adequate for water sports. The only time it struggles is if I have 5 people in the boat and I want to slalom. Mind you I am 6 foot and around 200 pounds and have a less than graceful technique when it comes to deep starting.
hope this helps
Ardy

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Ardy
Adelaide South Australia
Red H180 3.0 Merc


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PostPosted: Sat Jun 02, 2012 7:07 am 
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Seahorse

Joined: Mon Sep 08, 2008 9:18 pm
Posts: 21
Thanks to both of you. I am not too interested in the outboard for 1 simple reason...loss of the swim platform. My 1st boat many years ago was a 17' open bow w/an OB, and even all those years ago performance was nothing to sneeze at. I imagine the newer OBs are excellent, but not for me.

In terms of the H180 vs H180LE, I did more research last night, and I do think the LE is just too spartan. Coming from a cruiser that had all the toys (TV, air conditioning, etc.) and going to the most basic of boats would mean 1 thing...upgrade next year! So I do think the LE is out.

I also did some searching for used and new/leftover stock last night and found some interesting options. From a cost standpoint, boats in the 2006-2009 range are all actually fairly similarly priced.

I found a couple of H180 and H180ss models that I will make calls on.

Thoughts on the H180ss? I hadn't even considered it before, but I see a couple of 2012s out there for just a bit more than I was expecting to pay for the LE model.


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PostPosted: Sat Jun 02, 2012 8:09 am 
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Shark
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Joined: Fri Dec 11, 2009 9:29 pm
Posts: 147
Location: Hudsonville, MI
I would agree with passing on the LE. The savings you will have initially will be quickly eaten up by all he upgrades you will feel compelled to do. I started out with a 180 and did several upgrades. The best upgrade was replacing the seats with a set of bolster seats I found on Craigslist.

Image

Regarding your tow vehicle... I also used an Infiniti FX35. It pulled the boat pretty well and felt safe, even with a quick stop. However, it did produce a smell whenever I pulled the boat out of the water. I can only assume it was coming from the transmission.

Image

Image

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2003 PowerQuest 260 Legend SX
2014 Lund WC 14

2007 H210 Volvo 5.7 Gi/SX (sold in 2012)
2007 H180 Volvo 3.0 (sold in 2009)


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PostPosted: Sat Jun 02, 2012 9:16 am 
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Nauti Luv

Joined: Mon Jan 05, 2009 9:55 am
Posts: 2186
Location: Little Elm - Lake Lewisville TX
Just came across this:

http://dallas.craigslist.org/dal/boa/3042765317.html

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Current Boat:
2004 Sea Ray 320 Sundancer "Nauti Luvin'"

Previous Boats:
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2008 H200SS "Nauti Luv"
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PostPosted: Sat Jun 02, 2012 9:40 am 
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Seahorse

Joined: Mon Sep 08, 2008 9:18 pm
Posts: 21
Thanks, aguyindallas. A bit older than I would want, but worth a call. I can see going 2005-2010 to save, if I find the right boat. My wife and I are off to the local dealership right now.


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PostPosted: Sat Jun 02, 2012 9:48 am 
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Joined: Thu Jun 29, 2006 10:26 pm
Posts: 5661
Location: Long Island NY
If you're going with a sterndrive, I'd try to get one with the 4.3, it's a little tighter for engine access (do you do you own work?) but the low end torque is far superior to the 3.0, like 100 ft lbs more, and a lot more hp too. The 4.3 is a very good engine for smaller boats for those who want sterndrives.

_________________
88 Four Winns 200 Horizon
4.3 OMC Cobra-4bbl
2002 Walker Bay 10/2012 Suzuki 2.5
2008 Walker Bay 8

1998 Jeep Grand Cherokee 4.0/Selectrac
2007 Jeep Grand Cherokee 5.7 Hemi/Quadradrive II


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PostPosted: Sat Jun 02, 2012 10:01 am 
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Joined: Wed Jun 01, 2011 10:21 am
Posts: 5667
Location: Austin, TX
Stay away from the 3.0 like it's the plague. I have an H180 with a 3.0. It's fine with 2 people in the boat but load it up with 4-5, and it's a complete dog that can barely break 30mph. The 4.3 is vastly superior and gets exactly the same fuel consumption and much, much faster.

3.0 top speed in H180 = 38
4.3 top speed in H180 = 52


If you buy new, always get the biggest/baddest engine offered.

_________________
1981 Columbia 8.7
2015 Yamaha FZR - 87mph - sold
2006 Yamaha GP1300R - sold
2003 Chaparral 215 SSI - sold
2009 Stingray 195CS - sold
2000 Four Winns H180 - sold
1976 O'day Daysailer II - sold

Rick's Four Winns H180 Mods/Upgrade Thread


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PostPosted: Sat Jun 02, 2012 11:55 am 
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Seahorse

Joined: Mon Sep 08, 2008 9:18 pm
Posts: 21
Just returned home from the Four Winns dealer. Very impressive boats, and we both loved them!

1) I am going to limit my thinking to just the 4.3L engine. I'd be happy with the 3L engine for...well...about 6 minutes.

2) H180LE - No longer under consideration. It is a nice boat at a great price point, but too many compromises in my opinion.

3) H180 and H180SS - Both have pros/cons, and I am sure I would be happy with either. We liked the aggressive styling and interior of the SS, but I am concerned about the graphics scratching/peeling (anyone have such an issue?).

The dealer has a 2012 H180SS in black with a Merc 115HP outboard (and full size windshield, which I prefer). We loved the boat, but can't get over the loss of the swim platform and sundeck. He's going to price an SS with the sport seating, 4.3L engine, and extended swim platform.

He also has a 2012 H180 with a Merc 4.3L, but in red. Neither of us like red, so he's going to price out a Black/Blue model (again, 4.3, sport seating, extended platform). Honestly, if the red boat was in black or blue I may have bought it on the spot.

All of his boats have bow and cockpit covers, bimini tops, and trailers w/brakes, so I am covered there. We are off to the Chaparral dealer in about an hour. We've all but eliminated the Yamahas.

Again, thank you all for your advice! (And keep it coming!)

John


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PostPosted: Sat Jun 02, 2012 12:19 pm 
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Joined: Wed Jun 01, 2011 10:21 am
Posts: 5667
Location: Austin, TX
115 outboard is like a 3.0. Bad. Stay away. 150 e-tech or nothing.

_________________
1981 Columbia 8.7
2015 Yamaha FZR - 87mph - sold
2006 Yamaha GP1300R - sold
2003 Chaparral 215 SSI - sold
2009 Stingray 195CS - sold
2000 Four Winns H180 - sold
1976 O'day Daysailer II - sold

Rick's Four Winns H180 Mods/Upgrade Thread


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PostPosted: Mon Jun 04, 2012 6:20 pm 
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Minnow

Joined: Sat Jul 30, 2011 8:26 pm
Posts: 18
I had a the boat 3.0 before. And its way under powered for more than 3 people. My 4.3 gets great fuel mileage.


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PostPosted: Mon Jun 04, 2012 8:54 pm 
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Joined: Thu Jun 29, 2006 10:26 pm
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Location: Long Island NY
I know many like the swim platform but the OB has many advantages, lighter, less maintenance, no gas vapor in the bilge concern, much easier to winterize, etc. The 4.3 is a good engine power wise for an 18 footer but I hate the molded in fiberglass all around the rear of the engine, it makes certain maintenance jobs much harder than they need to be. Anything on the rear of the engine, exhaust manifolds, starter, steering actuator, power steering cooler, it will take the mechanic hrs to get at it. And that will cost you.
A 150 OB on that boat will make it fly, the 4.3 has 50 more hp but weighs 400 lbs more. Winterizing is flush the motor, change the engine oil, lower unit oil, fog the motor done. No crawling around in the bilge looking for drain plugs, straining to reach oil filters, etc. My boat has excellent access but it gets old, and there's a reason why IOs are expensive to keep.
And as far as hull color, if you are going to keep the boat a long time and can't store it inside, stay far away from colored gelcoats esp red and blue. They oxidize after a number of years and look awful, they take hours with the buffer to look good, but it does not last. I went through this with my 88 200 and I wound up getting it painted. A white boat maintenance wise is so much easier.

_________________
88 Four Winns 200 Horizon
4.3 OMC Cobra-4bbl
2002 Walker Bay 10/2012 Suzuki 2.5
2008 Walker Bay 8

1998 Jeep Grand Cherokee 4.0/Selectrac
2007 Jeep Grand Cherokee 5.7 Hemi/Quadradrive II


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PostPosted: Mon Jun 04, 2012 8:58 pm 
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Joined: Wed Jun 01, 2011 10:21 am
Posts: 5667
Location: Austin, TX
I've found that 303 makes gelcoat look shiny for month or 2 til you need to reapply. Makes non faded gelcoat look brand new.

_________________
1981 Columbia 8.7
2015 Yamaha FZR - 87mph - sold
2006 Yamaha GP1300R - sold
2003 Chaparral 215 SSI - sold
2009 Stingray 195CS - sold
2000 Four Winns H180 - sold
1976 O'day Daysailer II - sold

Rick's Four Winns H180 Mods/Upgrade Thread


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PostPosted: Mon Jun 04, 2012 9:39 pm 
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Seahorse

Joined: Mon Sep 08, 2008 9:18 pm
Posts: 21
LouC wrote:
I know many like the swim platform but the OB has many advantages, lighter, less maintenance, no gas vapor in the bilge concern, much easier to winterize, etc. The 4.3 is a good engine power wise for an 18 footer but I hate the molded in fiberglass all around the rear of the engine, it makes certain maintenance jobs much harder than they need to be. Anything on the rear of the engine, exhaust manifolds, starter, steering actuator, power steering cooler, it will take the mechanic hrs to get at it. And that will cost you.
A 150 OB on that boat will make it fly, the 4.3 has 50 more hp but weighs 400 lbs more. Winterizing is flush the motor, change the engine oil, lower unit oil, fog the motor done. No crawling around in the bilge looking for drain plugs, straining to reach oil filters, etc. My boat has excellent access but it gets old, and there's a reason why IOs are expensive to keep.
And as far as hull color, if you are going to keep the boat a long time and can't store it inside, stay far away from colored gelcoats esp red and blue. They oxidize after a number of years and look awful, they take hours with the buffer to look good, but it does not last. I went through this with my 88 200 and I wound up getting it painted. A white boat maintenance wise is so much easier.


I've actually spoken to some others, and a friend of mine that's been around boats all of his life is really pushing me towards the benefits of the outboard as well.

The H180SS at the local deal has the 115 Merc, which seems to be the norm for most of the H180 OBs I've seen listed. But people in this thread seem to dismiss that engine. So I may end up going with the OB, but having to order (or potentially work with the dealer to exchange the engine).

I also found out that my FX35 is NOT rated to tow 3,500...only 2,000. Basically, it is useless as a tow vehicle. So while we are still looking for boats, we are now considering vehicle options. Getting a vehicle with a 5,000+ towing capacity would also open up options for boat size. Notice the circle????? Can you follow the money??????????


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