Four Winns with Outboards

RotaryRacer · **Posted:** Mon Aug 02, 2010 11:54 am

So, there have been a few conversations about new Four Winns boats with outboard power here recently.

It has been mentioned here that the 2011 order form has the option for outboard power for the H183.

I have heard from Four Winns that they do have a project moving forward for outboard power.

I'm curious to know anyone else knows, has heard and would like to spectulate about.

I think it is likely that Evinrude e-tecs will be one of the preferred power options. This is for the reason that the current president and new VP of Sales/Marketing are both former BRP people. That said I would guess that they will also offer at least one 4-stroke option. My guess would be Suzuki, maybe Honda or Yamaha. Although with cost in mind, I would guess if 4-strokes are offered it would be Suzuki. Is there any chance Four Winns would sell boats with no pre-rigging and allow a dealer to rig the boat with whatever brand they happen to carry?

As someone else has mentioned this offering will likely be a bottom rung entry level boat to begin with. I would guess the the H180LE or equivalent could have an outboard as standard next year.

I think there are other boats within the current Four Winns lineup that could work really well with outboard power. For some reason I think an SL222 with a 250-300HP e-tec would be really cool. I could see the swim platform working as both a platform and a motor bracket to get the motor out of the cockpit.

So, what other information is out there?

LouC · **Posted:** Wed Aug 04, 2010 2:38 pm

Honestly it would be a BIG mistake to limit themselves to Evinrude power...not saying they are not good, but there are only 5 certified service shops listed for Evinrude in all of Long Island NY, an area surronded by water, with a lot of affluent people who like boats...
I think they'd be foolish if they did not at least offer Yamaha and Mercury because both are well represented in coastal regions where most of these boats will be sold...

Cap'n Morgan · **Posted:** Wed Aug 04, 2010 2:47 pm

For reference, Platinum Equity just acquired Triton Boats from Brunswick and they said "Brunswick’s Mercury Marine unit will continue supplying propulsion systems to Triton and Fishing Holdings’ other brands." Fishing Holdings is part of Platinum Equity, and as we all now know, PE also owns Four Winns. So, there is a possibility Mercury will be in the mix for powering the outboard Four Winns models.

RotaryRacer · **Posted:** Wed Aug 04, 2010 7:19 pm

I don't think they will limit it only to Evinrude.

The big question is what else will they pre-package the boats with.

I could actually see a 90 hp Yamaha as the standard motor that would be pre-packaged to meet the entry level cost targets. The next step up may be a 115 Yamaha. The Evinrude may actually be the optional brand.

In this day and age it is pretty unlikely that they will sell the boats with no pre-rigging. However, if they did then the owner could select any motor brand they wanted. From a dollars and cents stand point this may not make much sense though.

cougarcruiser · **Posted:** Wed Aug 04, 2010 7:31 pm

Look for Mercury. They already use Merc motors in their inboards, offering Merc outboards seems only natural.

I hope they let dealers rig the boats and give the buyers an option for customizations...

RotaryRacer · **Posted:** Wed Aug 04, 2010 7:45 pm

Yeah, I suppose Mercury is a likely option. It is just strange for me to even imagine a Four Winns factory rigged with a Mercury outboard. That hasn't happened since 1987. Even then, it was rare.

Mercurys aren't a bad option for 4-strokes. I prefer the E-Tec (Evinrude) over the Optimax (Mercury) for 2-strokes though.

Cap'n Morgan · **Posted:** Tue Aug 17, 2010 10:15 am

Might be quite a variety of outboards in Cadillac this coming year. The 2011 Wellcraft 180 Sportsman comes
with Yamaha power.

It will be interesting to see with 3 brands of outboard powered boats coming out of the same facility, how many
engine manufacturers will be represented.

RotaryRacer · **Posted:** Tue Aug 17, 2010 11:52 am

That is a nice looking boat.

Any specs or additional pics of it?

EDIT: Actually now that I look at the picture again and after I took a quick look at the Wellcraft website it looks unchanged from the current/previous/old model. Still a nice boat. I haven't ever been able to find one in this general geographic area to actually get in and look at in person./EDIT.

As I noted before I wouldn't be too surprised if the motor choices are limited to 1-2 brands. Yamaha makes sense as they offer both 4 strokes and the HPDI series of 2 strokes. I would, however, be very surprised if Evinrude isn't in the mix.

Cap'n Morgan · **Posted:** Tue Aug 17, 2010 1:01 pm

Yes they have made the 180 in Cadillac for the last few years. They also make a 180 Fisherman model.
Very solid boats for their size.

millhaven_nice_guy · **Posted:** Wed Aug 18, 2010 6:57 am

RotaryRacer wrote:

I would, however, be very surprised if Evinrude isn't in the mix.

Just because the new VP came from BRP doesn't mean he's in love with the brand... Why did he leave ? Maybe he's disgruntled and won't deal with Evinrude :?:

RotaryRacer · **Posted:** Wed Aug 18, 2010 11:33 am

millhaven_nice_guy wrote:

RotaryRacer wrote:

I would, however, be very surprised if Evinrude isn't in the mix.

Just because the new VP came from BRP doesn't mean he's in love with the brand... Why did he leave ? Maybe he's disgruntled and won't deal with Evinrude :?:

Yeah, I guess that is possible.

However, in the press releases when Roch Lambert (President-Project Boat Holdings) and Jeff Brunson (VP Sales/Marketing-Four Winns) took their new rolls they both got credit for saving/rebuilding the Evinrude brand when they were with BRP. Jeff Brunson most recently worked at Cruisers Yachts...he didn't come direct from BRP.

http://www.boating-industry.com/output.cfm?id=2510191
http://www.boating-industry.com/output.cfm?id=2577889

I guess since the whole Evinrude/BRP comments seem to be central to the press releases, I assume that they both left BRP on good terms. For some reason I guess I also assume they have a soft spot in their hearts for Evinrude. I have a soft spot in my heart for Evinrude and I really hope that they offer them on the Four Winns outboard models.

Cap'n Morgan · **Posted:** Wed Aug 18, 2010 1:54 pm

For 2010 this is what Glastron offered on the GT180. Not sure if it will be the same for 2011.

Quote:

Glastron powered the GT 180 with a Mercury 90-hp ELPT as standard. Upgrades are available to take you to 150-hp from Mercury (add $3,124 for the 150L Optimax), Evinrude (add $3,825 for the 150 DSLSE), or Yamaha (add $4,893 for the F150 TLR).

Cap'n Morgan · **Posted:** Thu Aug 19, 2010 10:46 am

New from Glastron for 2011 is the MX 180 BR.

Quote:

A superb entry into the bowrider outboard package market. Designed to offer an affordable boat, motor and trailer package to new owners, the MX 180 BR sports sharp new gelcoat colors including the trademarked Glastron sphere design. Plenty of amenities are standard on board with an AM/FM stereo with two speakers and MP3 adapter, finished ski locker with mat and hinged lid, molded under seat storage with latch and integrated molded swim platform. An XL package is also available for the MX 180 BR, providing additional options such as full, side glass wraparound windshield, 3-step boarding ladder, convenience package, flip-up bucket seat (1), ski pylon, snap-in carpet and stainless steel rubrail insert and drink holders. The “Base Real Deal Retail Price” for the MX 180 BR, powered with a 90-hp outboard engine plus a standard custom-matched trailer, will be $16,998 (US). Outboard power options are available up to 150 horsepower.

FW should have one similar to see, with styling changes and trim level changes.

RotaryRacer · **Posted:** Sun Sep 05, 2010 8:00 am

So, JW's pictures confirm that Evinrudes will be offered.

Here is his thread just to keep these topics somewhat linked.

viewtopic.php?f=3&t=6533&start=15

RotaryRacer · **Posted:** Mon Sep 06, 2010 7:39 am

So, I think a few things I suspected have been confirmed with the pictures that have recently been released.

Evinrudes will be offered.

This pictures looks like it will be the H180 LE type of boat.

90 HP Mercury...so Mercury's will be offered also.

www.iFourWinns.com

Four Winns with Outboards

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