www.iFourWinns.com

I went with a big group of friends to the St. John's River! Rented the U that is Haul and towed the boat to the St. John's River. Total cost of the pickup truck rental (F150) with gas ran $50.

The little 3.0 ran better then I thought it would in real waters. Could use a little more prop as my cruise RPM was around 3500 but all day on the river I used less then 1/4 tank of gas. Redline RPM's are still a tad high (4900) with the factory sized 21p. Next time I hit the river I'll try a 23 pitch prop. Boat ran flawless, new gauges looked great. I guessed on the trailer setup since I never used my new trailer before, and I got the bunks set perfect. No winch bending.

Only got sprinkled on late in the day. Everyone left and we were not ready to go home so we hit Lake Monroe for some open water fun. By the time we were on the other side of the lake the evening storms started popping up. The lake is so big that we were able to go around them.

Oh, and 50% of the boats must have been Four Winns on the river. Wowwww! I know we don't have a dealer in Orlando anymore but when we did, they sure did sell.

Now i really can't wait to get a 205 Sundowner. I was using the Navionic's Iphone app. It's okay but quite slow on the GPS location updating even on a 4s. If I make a habit of going to the river I'll install a Garmin 441. They're cheap now a days.





300hp highly modified ski. GPS's 85+


























My buddy's correct craft 2001 model. Ran perfect but he was having a rough day on the river with that thing, it's not river traffic/wave friendly. They were getting soaked.

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1981 Columbia 8.7
2015 Yamaha FZR - 87mph - sold
2006 Yamaha GP1300R - sold
2003 Chaparral 215 SSI - sold
2009 Stingray 195CS - sold
2000 Four Winns H180 - sold
1976 O'day Daysailer II - sold
Rick's Four Winns H180 Mods/Upgrade Thread

Nice pics. Looks like a fun day. Water looks cold!

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Awesome! Thanks for sharing!

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2008 H220 Frenzy Edition VP 5.7Gi DP
2013 RAM 1500 Crew Cab 5.7 HEMI Tow Vehicle

Previously -
1993 Baja 180 Islander

Nice that you can get out and enjoy your boat.

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2011 SL242 5.7 VP GXi - 320 HP Dual Prop

Water does look cold lol! better than the muggy soup we have in south florida it's already getting too!!! hot!!!

It was 93* that day. Water temp upper 70's.

It hasn't rained more then 6 inches this year in the Orlando area. My lake is down a few FEET. I was standing up in the middle 2 weeks ago. My buddy with the ski boat lives a few miles away and his lake is nearly as big as mine. Unboatable, it's down 6+ feet. There's outside dry dockage on the St. John's @ Boat Tree Marina for around $140 a month with unlimited pullout/put in. I think starting in June if the rain doesn't start and the lake doesn't start rising I'm going to go the river/dry dock route until my lake gets back to normal. The river is fed by marshes in South Florida and it's been raining there. It's not down 1ft and only a 30min car drive away. Until then, I'm keeping my boat on the trailer. I'll do the window tint, drive maintenance, and update the bow vinyl.

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1981 Columbia 8.7
2015 Yamaha FZR - 87mph - sold
2006 Yamaha GP1300R - sold
2003 Chaparral 215 SSI - sold
2009 Stingray 195CS - sold
2000 Four Winns H180 - sold
1976 O'day Daysailer II - sold
Rick's Four Winns H180 Mods/Upgrade Thread

Looks like you all had fun, thanks for sharing. I agree when you just cruise around the 3.0 liter engine is good on the juice

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Ardy
Adelaide South Australia
Red H180 3.0 Merc

It really is. I thought I was sucking the juice cruising around at 3200-3500rpms until I noticed the gas gauge at the end of the day. It only went down 1/4. Traveled roughly 50 miles total, around 2hrs total of under power boating. Used around 10 gallons of gas, or 5 GPH at a good 25-28mph cruise using E10 gasoline.

I don't hate my 3.0 anymore!

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1981 Columbia 8.7
2015 Yamaha FZR - 87mph - sold
2006 Yamaha GP1300R - sold
2003 Chaparral 215 SSI - sold
2009 Stingray 195CS - sold
2000 Four Winns H180 - sold
1976 O'day Daysailer II - sold
Rick's Four Winns H180 Mods/Upgrade Thread

Well done Ric. Great pics. You get the swim gear on and we here in Oz are getting jumpers out for our cold weather wich is approaching fast. Still I always go out in all weather.
As for 3.0 Mercs I am on my third boat with a 3.0 and they are a great motor if you look after them. Never had a drama except a blown head gasket (which was warranty job).
I have a S/S 21 x 14 prop, and will check its performance on Sydney harbour on the weekend.

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2006 Four Winns, Horizon 180. Alpha 1 Gen2 leg with Solas SS 4 Blade Prop
135 HP Mercruiser. Clarion Stereo System. Swim Platform made in Colorado and Imported to Sydney.