www.iFourWinns.com

Alright, a question from a newbie to fibreglass boats with I/O drives.....

We have been out on our new horizon 180 a couple of times now, and I am noticing a black buildup on the transom and in the drive well of the boat. It looks like a kind of carbon or exhaust buildup. It also will not just wipe off. Is this normal, and how do I clean it off? Any suggestions for a product to use on it?

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2009 H180 w/3.0 Merc
Homebuilt Minimax Hydro
2011 Zodiac Cadet 310

There should be not exhaust stains in the transom as the SX drive exhaust goes out the prop. Is it at the waterline?

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Jvalich
http://www.badcock.com

'04 FW 288 Vista "Mental Floss"

It is at the waterline, mostly in the cavity where the drive is located, but it does extend out as well.

This is the new SX drive, with both the exhaust through the hub and through the cav plate.

Anyone else with this new drive noticing the same? I have only run the boat twice. Maybe the exhaust is excessively rich due to the break in?

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2009 H180 w/3.0 Merc
Homebuilt Minimax Hydro
2011 Zodiac Cadet 310

Hi Chrisvs,

We have the new 200 with the new Volvo drive and I noticed the black ring as well. I wash the boat off everytime we take it out of the water and when it is wet it seems to be 'pretty' easy to take off. Just a little elbow grease.
But, after it has dried is a little different animal.

On a good note, it has decreased greatly over the hours and we just hit 20, so just keep an eye on it.

I have used Meguiars on it and love the product. If you cant wash the boat right away, Meguiars makes a quick spray/wash that really could help just that area for you.

Hope this helps

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2007 200 Horizon- 4.3GXi/SX 225hp
2007 Tahoe LT

Use a detailers spray from Meguires or Griot'S Garage or a dilute spray of simple green.

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Jeff

2006 Four Winns Yellow Horizon 30th Anniversary 200 SS
2005 Nissan Titan Crew Cab
2004 Ford F-150 Lariat

http://www.seabrook-services.com

I went out and checked mine this evening. There were Black Marks around the Corsa Captain's Call exhaust ports!

They were easily removed with Speed Shine from Griot's Garage.

http://www.griotsgarage.com/catalog.jsp ... &SKU=11146

I hope this helps!

I use this stuff on my Tractors and all of my other TOYS!!!

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Jeff

2006 Four Winns Yellow Horizon 30th Anniversary 200 SS
2005 Nissan Titan Crew Cab
2004 Ford F-150 Lariat

http://www.seabrook-services.com

Thanks for the advice everyone. I will get some cleaner, and get on top of it.

I happened to be at the dealer yesterday for some paperwork issues, and mentioned the quick buildup of exhaust stain on the transom. He suggested that this was normal with a carburated engine, and it is most likely happening at start up. That recessed area from the four winns also seems to like to catch the fumes, building it up a little faster than the rest of the transom.

My dealer sugested spray nine marine cleaner?? Anybody heard of or used this stuff?

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2009 H180 w/3.0 Merc
Homebuilt Minimax Hydro
2011 Zodiac Cadet 310

Heard of it but never used it. I just stocked up on the complete line of Meguairs and haven't looked back.

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2007 200 Horizon- 4.3GXi/SX 225hp
2007 Tahoe LT

all my boats had this in the transom area. but yes it is on my fourwinns 180 also. I am sure it is from the exhuast and I just use regular marine wash when i wash down the boat everytime after i use it. It seems to come off very easily.

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Four winns 180 horizon

Spray 9 is a strong cleaner. It will remove most everything including your wax.

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Inboard, outboard, onboard never bored
KUT 'N LOOSE
'99 258 VISTA

just use regular wash or maybe even babes spray wax cleaner. I clean it every time so it always comes off

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Four winns 180 horizon

just came back from boating and yes the black film was there. I would say if you are having problems with it coming off it is time for a good coat of wax and it will be easy to come off.

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Four winns 180 horizon