www.iFourWinns.com

Hi all, im thrilled to have found this forum. I just purchased a used 1999 Horizon 180 LS, It has the volvo penta SX 4.3ltr engine 190 hp, its a super clean boat in great condition. but being a complete newb to boats i have a few questions.


1. I feel like it should go faster, everyone on iboats says it should do at least 50, but it struggles to go above 40, I have hit 45, but that was at wide open throttle for longer then I wanted to be there. The previous owner said this was because the boat was propped for acceleration and for towing skiers, which I somewhat believe since the boat is excellent out of the hole and getting up on plane, very quick acceleration, but no top end. Next season I may try a different prop to see if that helps. any other ideas?
2. Starting issues when cold, takes a lot of cranks to get it to turn over, but once it starts it starts right up after being used. So I don’t think the starter is busted, I just don’t think the gas is getting to the engine as quick as it should, maybe I can prime the engine somehow?
3. An oil pressure issue after the boat got left out in a rain storm with the plug in, With the advice of others and from a marina, I was told it was either a bad sending unit or the gauges were messed up, The marina told me to run it and to not worry about it right away, so i have used it twice since, and the boat runs great, so im fairly certain its the sending unit. would this explain why the boat makes a beeping noise when starting it?
4. I'm not sure the bilge pump works, it makes a noise like its turned on, but no water comes out the side even when I can visibly see an inch or two in the hull. which is another issue, why do I have an inch or two of water in there? There was none on the test drive and I have only used the boat 2x since, haven't hit anything or done any damage that i know of?

A few pics

Iboat goes by a new stock set-up, that boat is getting some age and will slow depending on how it was driven. 4.3's tend to be driven wide open everywhere they go.

_________________

It's probably got the wrong prop. Did you get the engine checked out before the purchase? A compression check on a used boat is always a good idea.

_________________


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

1. With a 4-blade prop I get about 43mph max and with the stock 3-blade I've been at 48. If the previous owner switched the prop to get a better hole shot for water sports, that could be your issue.

2. If you're having starting issues and it's been primed properly, a tune up may help. Usually, I only need to prime it 1 or 2 pumps when it has sat for a while. Then let it warm up and idle around 1000 RPM for a minute or two.

To prime it, push the button at the base of the shifter and move the shifter as if you were putting it into forward. This will keep it in neutral and allow you to prime it or rev the motor.

3. I'd want that to be fixed, otherwise you have no way of knowing if you have a problem. I had a similar issue with my temp gauge this spring.

4. To test the bilge pump, put the plug in and throw your hose down there and turn it on. It should kick in when the water is high enough. There needs to be quite a bit of water for the pump to work since it sits a little off the bottom of the boat.

BTW...great pictures!

_________________
-Rob.


Current boat: 2011 Yamaha AR210
Previous boat: 1998 Horizon RX 4.3GL SX

Great advice, thanks,

I havent really been priming the engine at all on cold starts, Ill definilty give that a shot tho. also good idea to test the bilge, gonna give that a shot before my next trip out as well. as for the prop, im pretty sure its a 3-blade prop, and i have seen 45 gps at WOT in fairly good conditions, so maybe thats all shes got?

Check the specs on your prop, it should be stamped somewhere close to the hub. I believe my stock prop is 14.25x23.

_________________
-Rob.


Current boat: 2011 Yamaha AR210
Previous boat: 1998 Horizon RX 4.3GL SX

It is a 13.75x21P

does that sound right?

I just double checked my stock prop and it is 14.25x23p. I think our hulls are identical, so it's likely that the same prop would give you similar performance to what I've had.

I rarely use this prop and use a 14x20p 4-blade prop for water sports and lower speed planing. Most local lakes have 35mph speed limits, so I'm not missing anything.

One thing you can do is see if you have a local shop that specializes in props and will let you try them out.

_________________
-Rob.


Current boat: 2011 Yamaha AR210
Previous boat: 1998 Horizon RX 4.3GL SX

Mine's a 14.25 x 23 also - gives 50mph by the gps.

Nothing to add to Robbos comments - he's right on the money. Prime the motor first - mine starts first time every time.

_________________


Alec

2006 Horizon 190
VP 4.3GL/SX, Sunsport

Maybe ill try the 14.25 x 23 next spring, or once i managed to break the current one, at least that explains the low top end.

the boat does accelerate pretty good and get up on plane very quickly tho