www.iFourWinns.com

Bad way to start my second season with my H203....

I was out on Beaver Lake last Saturday (on my birthday!), taking a leisurely ride with the family. Everything seemed fine...25 feet of water, about 75 feet from shore in a cove we visited weekly last year (when the water was 15 feet higher) when WHAM! Didn't see it coming at all. Luckily I was only going about 10mph at the time. My 8 year old was riding shotgun and slammed his eye on the edge of the windshield, my wife screamed, the dog freaked! The engine seemed to run ok and we weren't taking on water that I could tell, so we made our way back to our slip.

Looks like the lower unit is ok, except for some damage on the skeg, which should be ok. Prop is fine. Trim works ok. Problem is that the drain plug flange is cracked and the hull is slightly crushed right around there.

It's going into the shop next weekend. Any idea how much fiberglass repairs might cost?

It's hard to say how much it will cost without seeing a picture of the damage. Sorry to hear it spoiled your birthday and your son got injured. Hopefully it's an easy fix and you can be back on the water soon.

Let us know what the dealer says, and any pictures would be helpful.

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One of 4 Previous (Sold) Boats:
2000 Four Winns 268 Vista

Current Boat: 2004 Chaparral 235 ssi cuddy

So sorry to hear about your mishap. Did your lower unit hit the rock or just the hull? If there was impact to the L.U. you should thoroughly inspect the gimbal bearing and housing unit for any cracks. The engine may initially run fine even if it is cracked, but it is a common type of damage, particularly if you were traveling at any appreciable speed and cannot be ignored. Good luck...

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Previously:
2008 V358/Volvo 5.7 GXi Inboards

Ouch!! I found a log last week luckly no damage. This is where you use your insurance. Most shops will eat the deductable. Most repairs are not cheap that why I keep my 12yr old boat covered.

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97 205 Sundowner

That's great advise, thanks! I'll be sure to remind to dealer to do a thorough check. Photos coming soon...

What part of Beaver Lake? Thinking about a trip there this year. Would like to avoid THAT type of trip.

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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)

Pet, I doubt you'll need to worry about that rock. As much as it's been raining down there the water level will be rising fast. We're Going to Table Rock the first week in June and my concern is going to be debris washed out into the lake from the flooding.

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Mike
Smithville, MO
08' Hayabusa, 2011 Subaru Outback, 03' Infiniti G-35 S.C.

Busacharger,

Which part of TRL are you going to and what flooding are you referring to? It's within about a foot of normal right now. Last year it was WAY up and flooded, but 90 % of the lake was clear by July/Aug or so. I was on the water a couple weeks ago and all was fine.

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2005, 268 Vista, Table Rock Lake "Choices II"