www.iFourWinns.com

Hi all,
I'm new to the boating arena and looking to buy an H220 or 230 in the near future. I have been looking around pretty hard and found a few I really like. Now it's somewhat down to who gives the best deal and of course preference. I know the boats are similar but seem different as for options like a potti and fresh water tanks and the such.
My use at this point in time is a little of everything on a lake. Though I suspect mostly for water sports. I have a 5 and 8 year old daughters who will be sharing this with me. Like many of you I figured this would be a great way to spend time with the kids. I would also like to invite another family out with us which is why I'm looking at this size vessel. I'm new to this site and boating so not exactly sure what to ask yet. Jumping in with both feet...Hope I swim..lol
Thanks all for your input.

Both are good choices. I just bought an H230. My wife really wanted the potti, which I suspect will end up being more of a storage closet. We are coming from a 19 footer and really wanted the extra space--so I think you are smart to look in the 22-24 foot range. Things you might want to think about are your tow vehicle and where you will store it. The 230 will add a bit of extra weight and may have a bigger gas tank which means more weight for fuel. If you plan to use the fresh water--that adds the weight of 10 gallons of water as well. I would look for at least 300 hp for the engine for either. For the most part--these boats are very similiar. You kind of called out the differences with the potti, sink, and shower. Either should be able to comfortably handle 8 people and are probably rated for 10-11. Happy shopping! I had been looking at the H230 from a far for a long time (3-4 years) and finally pulled the trigger about 2 weeks ago (just in time to put it away for the winter).

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Norris Lake, Stardust Marina, Andersonville, TN
2005 Four Winns 230 Horizon 5.7L Volvo Gi/DP
2001 Maxum 1900SR 5.0L V8 (Sold)
2011 Nissan Armada Platnum

Well I have had a 220H for 2 years and absolutely love it. We specifically did not want the space compromise resulting from the inclusions of the 230.
Good luck whatever you get.

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Brian
2006 Horizon 220
350mpi Mercruiser
Jeep Grand Cherokee V8

Let me just put it to you this way.

You will never regret buying a bigger boat.

Good luck, and welcome to the site.

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

Previous Boats:
1999 298 Vista "Seas The Day"
2008 H200SS "Nauti Luv"
2006 Tahoe Q4

+1 on the advice regarding engine size. You really can't go wrong with either one, so long as you make sure you get 300HP in either one.

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Paul
2007 Four Winns Horizon 220
Mercruiser 350 Mag MPI w/ Bravo III Drive
2004 Ford Explorer Limited (V8-AWD)
Pomme de Terre Lake (Southwest Missouri)

What years 220 and 230 are you looking for…?

Depend on model year 220 was called 210 and 230 was called 240...

Either way you can not go wrong .... Bigger boat is always better for family use... Smaller boat is easier to handle if you have no experience on boating...

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08 H260 VP 8.1Gi DP.....Previous
2013 Crownline E6 Merc 8.2MAG BIIIX, DTS/SC

Thanks all for the feedback. I will be using a Dodge Durango to tow the boat. Also I'm looking at the 06 and 07 model years. These happen to fit my price range of mid 20's. I think the 220 is plenty big enough for me especially as a novice and I don't see me really needing the extras in the 230. Also finding a 220 with a mercruiser engine is fairly difficult.
Anyway, I found this boat ad today. The asking is 35,995. NADA doesn't support it from what I can tell yet it is a super nice boat. I really like this one. Any opinions? Let me know what you think.
Happy Thanksgiving all.

http://www.oodle.com/view/2007-fourwiin ... 98046/usa/
or
http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=1 ... 668140334#

Looks nice. Priced a bit high. I would say with the tower, I'd want to get it closer to $30 if it is really clean. Problem often though is that folks are upside down and not willing or able to let it go and still owe money. Other thing to think about is the tower. They look cool and if you are into the watersports might be something you are looking for. You just need to think about where you will be storing. If you are storing in a garage--you will need a door with at least 12-foot clearance otherwise you will be taking the tower up and down which I hear is a pain. Not trying to discourage--just something you probably want to think about before your purchase so you aren't caught off-guard. There will be more boats to consider following all the boat shows as well--so I'm sure you can find some good choices between now and spring. Good luck.

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Norris Lake, Stardust Marina, Andersonville, TN
2005 Four Winns 230 Horizon 5.7L Volvo Gi/DP
2001 Maxum 1900SR 5.0L V8 (Sold)
2011 Nissan Armada Platnum

36K for 07 220 is a little high…. Although a SS arch with 09 Bimini must costed him well above $6K…. For this price you can get a nice 230/240… Take look at this for comparison.
scroll down to :
http://www.winnisquammarine.com/Used%20brokerage.htm

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08 H260 VP 8.1Gi DP.....Previous
2013 Crownline E6 Merc 8.2MAG BIIIX, DTS/SC

Seems a little high. $30K would be closer-especially considering it has a Bravo 1 rather than a Bravo 3 on it. He claim it has "all the options" and that he paid $60K for it. Seems like he is really puffing it up. First off, not getting the Bravo 3 means it doesn't have "all the options." Second, it may have stickered at $60K but I can't imagine he really paid that much. I got a similar setup with a Bravo 3 and an extended warranty for just a touch over $40K. So, he shouldn't be trying to lay that $60K on the next buyer. And if he really did pay $60K for it new, that is his problem and his loss to bear-not the next buyers.

I'll attest that I absolutely love my 220H, which is darned-near identical to this one.

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Paul
2007 Four Winns Horizon 220
Mercruiser 350 Mag MPI w/ Bravo III Drive
2004 Ford Explorer Limited (V8-AWD)
Pomme de Terre Lake (Southwest Missouri)

I can tell you that towing a 230/240 with a Durango is going to be pushing it. I personally know a guy who started out doing just that, and quickly had to upgrade his truck to a full size Ram.

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Mike
2005 Four Winns 230/240
VP 5.7GXi/DP
1998 F-150 XLT
Boat Pic

I might be the exception to this rule - I never wanted for space when we had a 21 1/2 foot Chaparral, and it was a breeze to tow/dock/store. Now with the SL 262 everything is a bit more complicated - if I don't sell it I'm going to have to buy a truck that can tow it properly, and the expense for slips/storage/gas all go up as well.

Buy the size you need - if the price is equivalent, go bigger. But be prepared to have to make other "adjustments" if you do. I never thought I would spend as much time obsessing about the towing process as I do now, and we haven't even towed it anywhere yet!