www.iFourWinns.com

Hi All,

I am very excited to have purchased my first boat and am new to this board (my first post). It is for my family of 4 (two boys 7 and 4). It is a 2004 Horizon 210 in excellent shape inside and out with only 160 hours on the engine (I paid $18,500... good deal?). The engine looks literally like it has never been used. It will be a boat that I use almost exclusively for lake Tahoe. Is there anybody out there that spends significant time on this lake in a Horizon? Any tips for a person that will be new to boating on this lake (I have boated on the lake before but just rentals).

In the off season I'm looking to purchase a GPS system and a UHF radio. Any tips or suggestions on units?

Thanks,

Aaron

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Aaron
2004 Horizon 210
Volvo Penta 5.7Gi-E

Here's a (partial) list of newbie boat owner rules:

1. Use the blower before you start the engine. Seriously.
2. Dont forget the plug. Seriously.
3. Don't fight with your wife at the launch ramp. It isn't worth it. If she doesn't know how to back up a trailer, or put the boat on/off the trailer. Teach her patiently. Or let the 7 year old do it.
4. Keep a spare prop in the truck or boat, keep a prop wrench. It's cheaper to buy a spare online before you "need it" than at the marina, and you'll probably need one at some point.
5. DO NOT forget to trailer the outdrive up before you pull the boat up the ramp. When you get to the ramp, look at the MANY marks on the ramps from all the other guys that forgot to trailer up.
6. Keep it fun. It's just a boat. If it gets a scratch, or a tear, don't sweat it. Kids, wives, friends, they all just.......do stuff to our boats, accidentally. Stuff happens. Seriously, really, if a man gets all stressed, and freaks out about his boat, his family won't be diggin him, or the boat, or the trips to the lake, because they are worried that dad's gonna FREAK OUT! lol Yeah, I've seen it happen, and you'll see it happen at the ramp.
7. ABOVE ALL, be paaaaatient with your family. WIves and kids can be mind numbingly sloooooow at getting in the boat, getting out of the boat, getting their life jackets on etc.

Sorry for being a bossy pants bro. I'm just telling you from personal experience, and from watching other people. A great day on the water can be ruined in moments with bad attitudes. And a $20k boat can bring out the worst in us!


This list may grow....... LoL
All that said, CONGRATS, welcome to the club!

Beautiful lake...get lots of anchor line:-)

That boat should be perfect for your family if you enjoy water sports for the kiddos, cruising around and hanging out at lake and swimming. That same model has served me well since my boy was 3.... he's now 15 and we still enjoy it.

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http://i1339.photobucket.com/albums/o71 ... wqm355.jpg


08' H210SS
VP 5.7Gi

Thats a great size for your first boat, not too big but big enough to feel safe and seaworthy. All the above given advice is right on. You might want to get some maintenance items checked out before running it at the lake (engine oil level, drive oil level make sure bilge pump works batteries are charged up etc). Keep an eye on the gauges when you first run it to make sure that its not overheating (engine temp 160-175 is normal, over 180 too hot) oil pressure is good (idle 10-20 min psi, running, 40-60 psi), and the batt is charging (charging volts approx 13.5-14v). If the water gets rough you might want to keep the bow cover on, in case you take a wave over the windshield. Keep the water OUT of the boat, LOL.....
In rough water keep the bow up at all times, you may not be able to run on plane. That's the only real draw back to these boats, the open bow design is not as safe as a cuddy with a closed bow and you have to be mindful of the conditions (wind, waves and wakes). I take mine out in Long Island Sound on calm days but as soon as it kicks up I'm outta there......bow cover on, bow up...

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88 Four Winns 200 Horizon
4.3 OMC Cobra-4bbl
2002 Walker Bay 10/2012 Suzuki 2.5
2008 Walker Bay 8

1998 Jeep Grand Cherokee 4.0/Selectrac
2007 Jeep Grand Cherokee 5.7 Hemi/Quadradrive II

Welcome! Good tips from all, with more to come I'm sure. Spend some time browsing this forum, lots and lots of good posts about everything here (I learned a great deat just reading). My tip would be to ensure your admiral and kids know the basics of the boat, how to shut it down, where all the controls are, fire extinguisher, etc. That way in case of an emergency, you can rely on having "help" on board. Enjoy Lake Tahoe!

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1996 205 Sundowner DLX
5.0FL Volvo SX Cobra
Tow Veh: 2012 Nissan Frontier Pro-4X

Thanks for the great responses!! I will definitely put them to use. Thanks for helping me get started. I've already learned so much just reading through the other posts on a variety of topics. Darin, point 3 gave the wife a real chuckle...

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Aaron
2004 Horizon 210
Volvo Penta 5.7Gi-E

Welcome aboard. Got any pictures of your boat? You might want to check out the following link about boat inspections before you launch on Lake Tahoe. Make sure your boat is clean including the bilge. It can be expensive boating Tahoe depending on launch fees and inspection may cost you more than $50.00 just to get it in the water.
Good luck with your new Horizon.


http://tahoeboatinspections.com/

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Doug
2002 Four Winns H190 5.0 GL-SX