www.iFourWinns.com

Ok, now that I have handled my issues with that slip messing up my boat I thought I'd put together my list of "what the hell was somebody thinking" after putting the first 10 hours on the new 224. I think many of these follow most of the larger models but some might be specific to the funship.

1. This one kills me. The standard extended swim platform that came with the boat has two compartments. On the starboard side you have an absolutely great ladder. On the port side a compartment advertised as a storage hold. I was told it was great for ski ropes or even a cooler off the swim platform. ARE YOU KIDDING ME!! This thing is sealed tight from the bottom, but everytime you stop the boat water rushes over the platform and fills it up with water and there is nowhere for it to go? I'm taking a drill to it, was this horrible planning or bad execution. What do you guys use it for, leaving a ski rope in there just makes a slimy mess. Right now it's a great spot for the plug when it's out of the water. (after draining the water out atleast.)

2. This is ticky tac but it's another ??? in my mind. At the rear of the boat on the interior there is a large very nice drain for any amount of water to run out the back and into the bilge. The only problem is the drain is a full inch above ground level and they were nice enough to make a little indention under it so the first water in the boat sits in this little hole and goes nowhere.

3. Covers. I don't know what you V nose guy's covers look like but for the funship they look absolutely great. Do nothing in the rain but look great. From the rain just this morning I was able to watch water run off the windshield and directly under the cover into both the helm storage and the head. The dealer was wondering why my manuals were soaked well there you have it. I now need to buy a full boat cover just to protect the thing, I'm wondering why I paid for cockpit and bow covers.

4. Naturally the walk through doors are installed with paper mache screws. First trip out lost every damn one of them.

5. Seating. I know this has been discussed before. I can't determine if I like the seating or not. No hinges or attachment points, they just sit in their spots. I was warned by other members to take the bow and walk through seats out for travel but everytime I want to access the cooler or a compartment the seat has to be removed and then replaced. Like I said I don't know what I think on this one.

6. Depth Finder - Ok now this really annoys me. The entire dash lights up like a christmas tree at night. Beautiful white gauges all done nice in four winns logos. Then you have the depth sounder which looks great in the day, at night shines in a red background and literally takes you to lean down eye to eye with it to see your depth. I have no idea what the deal was here.

7. Night boating - does anybody know if there is a way to dim down or shut off the dash lights when you have the full Nav. Lights on. They are great looking and bright but it blinds you to the point of not being able to see the water. I covered them with a shirt when we were looking for our slip at 2:30am.

8. Stereo - has anybody contemplated running the depth sounder off the aux. switch and the stereo on constant power. Everytime you shut down the engine you have to play the thing like a pipe organ to get back to the radio.

9. Glove Box - My little cubby is nice but I don't trust a wallet, phone, or keys to a cubby with rug rats running around. Anybody experiemented with a glove box of some type or how do you work that one.

Like I said none of these items are dealbreakers, it's still the nicest boat I could find for the money, size, and apperance. Just a few wth's for you all.

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2008 Four Winns 224 Funship 5.0 GXI/DP Black w/ Tower
2007 GMC Crew Cab Short Bed / Bose Ed.
2007 Fourwinns H180 (SOLD)

"There are no stupid questions, only stupid people"

1. I was told it was great for ski ropes or even a cooler off the swim platform. ARE YOU KIDDING ME!!

All boats have "features" with questionable value. Every buyer must look and think hard about what's important and how valuable those features are to them. I guess I wouldn't expect anything stored in a water-level swim platform to stay dry, and so would not count that as an asset of that particular model or wouldn't plan to store anything there that needs to stay dry.

2. The only problem is the drain is a full inch above ground level and they were nice enough to make a little indention under it so the first water in the boat sits in this little hole and goes nowhere.

Yep, this is a common complaint. Welcome... . I imagine the issue is that putting a cutout right at the edge of the floor would create an area prone to cracking - but that's speculation, and I don't claim to know how other manufacturers handle this.

3. Covers.

The C&B covers are great for protecting the interior from the sun and from dirt and debris while towing (in my experience). They definitely aren't waterproof, but I don't think they're advertised to be. I'm sure some owners would be just as well off, or better off, with a mooring cover and no C&B covers.

4. Naturally the walk through doors are installed with paper mache screws. First trip out lost every damn one of them.

Hmm, I don't have that type of walkthrough so I can't comment. Sounds like something's definitely not right, though.

5. Seating. I know this has been discussed before. I can't determine if I like the seating or not.

I'm not sure if you're referring to the quality of the seating, or the layout. Seating layout is a controversial subject these days as boat builders (all of them) cram more and more upholstery into their boats at the expense of floor space. My boat is "rated" for 13 people - I'd like to see someone attempt that! Again, it's an important aspect of boat buying to consider this carefully... before the purchase .

6. The entire dash lights up like a christmas tree at night.
7. Night boating - does anybody know if there is a way to dim down or shut off the dash lights when you have the full Nav. Lights on.

Yeah, it used to be more common for boats to have dimmers; not so much any more. The helm lights in mine (and I know several other Horizons at the time) were too dim. I went through a long process of figuring out what the options were to correct it, and wound up replacing all my lights with LED's. Not only did it fix the brightness problem, but I chose red ones in order to preserve night vision. A nice side benefit is that they now match the depth sounder. If you want a link to the LED replacement bulbs let me know. I'm pretty sure they'll fit your gauges also.

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

I'm going to shut up now. I've been put in my place I think.

- the swim platform thing had absolutely nothing to do with the purchase. I think FW just wasted their money building a worthless box. Doesn't really impact me but on the other hand makes we wonder.

- On the seating, the quality is great. FW always has been when I've looked around. I guess I miss the hinged seats on the 180 that didn't require a square dance to operate when you have people on the boat.

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2008 Four Winns 224 Funship 5.0 GXI/DP Black w/ Tower
2007 GMC Crew Cab Short Bed / Bose Ed.
2007 Fourwinns H180 (SOLD)

"There are no stupid questions, only stupid people"

If I only knew you just a little bit better, I'd call you an jackass.....but I don't so forget it......

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2008 Four Winns 224 Funship 5.0 GXI/DP Black w/ Tower
2007 GMC Crew Cab Short Bed / Bose Ed.
2007 Fourwinns H180 (SOLD)

"There are no stupid questions, only stupid people"

Marc, I sure wasn't trying to put you in your place and sincerely apologize if I came across that way. I was just trying to convey what I think a broader (more objective?) view of these issues are. Some of them are real problems. The elevated floor drain is annoying to a lot of people including me, and helm lights that are the wrong brightness seem like a nit until you're boating in the blackest of black in the middle of the night -- been there!

I guess my overall point is that every boat has things that you have to "get used to."

My "before the purchase" remark was with tongue firmly in cheek, hence my smileys .

My family would never accuse me of having too much tact, so... consider the source, also

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

I knew exatly where your tounge was and placed mine in the same position when I didn't call you a jackass. I was smiling ear to ear when I read it and when I wrote my response. Without a direct reference to my god or my mother I can assure you my best friend of 20+ years has said much worse that I've taken the same way........so don't worry about it.....your points were right which is why I thought I'd shut up.

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2008 Four Winns 224 Funship 5.0 GXI/DP Black w/ Tower
2007 GMC Crew Cab Short Bed / Bose Ed.
2007 Fourwinns H180 (SOLD)

"There are no stupid questions, only stupid people"

Oh and if it helps any the admiral in my house really likes to go out to dinner with me. She just prefers me at a different table so the wait staff doesn't think were together. Atleast you can spell tact........

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2008 Four Winns 224 Funship 5.0 GXI/DP Black w/ Tower
2007 GMC Crew Cab Short Bed / Bose Ed.
2007 Fourwinns H180 (SOLD)

"There are no stupid questions, only stupid people"

I'll be heading to Grand on Friday. Why don't you bring it back down and let me assess these issues personally over the weekend and I'll post a full report for all on Monday. You may take my 210 for that time and return it on Sunday evening.


Please let me know which ramp to meet you.

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H210SS 6.2
F150 Platinum

Well it sure won't be Port Duncan..........

Oh and I'm concerned about you, you apparently didn't see what I do to nice new boats on Grand Lake. Watch the debris going cross water. The water was 7 ft. high last week and was going down about 1 1/2 feet a day while we were there. Everything from sticks to major timber making it's way across the water. Be careful and have a blast.

With that said I think your 210SS has a little go go juice over the funship. Better looking for the ladies as well. On the other hand we easily stacked 8 adults and 5 children on board and could still tube and ski behind it so it's the closest thing to a pontoon this guy will ever own.

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2008 Four Winns 224 Funship 5.0 GXI/DP Black w/ Tower
2007 GMC Crew Cab Short Bed / Bose Ed.
2007 Fourwinns H180 (SOLD)

"There are no stupid questions, only stupid people"

Valid points on the 210. We however, will have little use for the go-fast feaatures but have every bit of 15 adults who would love a spot on the boat.
You could expect plenty of "entertaining" photos from aboard that barge!

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H210SS 6.2
F150 Platinum

I question a couple of things also on the 224. I am not 100% sure why I went with the 224 over 204 we don't us the porta-potti, it wasn't because of the swim platform and if you look at the 224 and 204 the cockpit and bow seating areas seem to be identical, I believe the extra length gained over the 204 is in the head area and swim platform. I know I mentioned that the swim platform was not a factor in the decision to buy the 224 but man we have a 3 year old and some nieces and nephews around 10 and they are really using the heck out of the SP and the reverse seat is really nice to. I also questioned that extra compartment on the SP my fills with water too. Does anyone use the cooler on the bow and transom area? I don't and probably never will. The one thing I see as a hassle for me is the where you put gas in. I wish they would of put that more on top like the water cap. I use a gravity fed gas caddy to fill my 224 and it can be a hassle putting gas into the boat, the 2 Sea Rays I had the cap was more on top so putting gas in was slick but not anymore. Also the ski locker wth you have take the carpet up to get in, I mean come on they didn't think to good on that idea!

Tony

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Tony

2008 FS 5.7ltr 300HP DP
2007 Yukon Denali
2008 Chevrolet Avalanche LTZ
1995 Polaris 650

Really? That sounds like a defect in the way your carpet was made.

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

Tackleshep:
I am just curious that did you consider SL 240 while you were shopping around? If you did what did you think about it? It is more pricy but they seem very nice up scale deck boat.

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

The Depth Finder is manufactured by Faria, it's an off the shelf piece of kit, not really a Four Winns specific item to gripe about. One thing I can say about it, it works... Unlike some of the other brands I've had...

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Brett DiMichele

Mike, it is not a defect in the way the carpet was made you can not access the ski locker without pulling the snap up carpet out. Kinda a pain!

Tony

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Tony

2008 FS 5.7ltr 300HP DP
2007 Yukon Denali
2008 Chevrolet Avalanche LTZ
1995 Polaris 650