I'll jump in on this one, my first post here! I'll leave the engine debate alone except to say that I got a Volvo.
As you may have seen in the other forum, I looked for a while last summer and over the winter before choosing the H190. Looked at Cobalts, Chaps, and Monterey mostly. Liked them all enough to get any of them. What sold me on the Four Winns was a few things.
-Cockpit space: there is not another 19 ft boat that feels as big. Subjective I know, but there is review and video from boating world that discusses this (link below). One of the knocks on this boat on the other forum is the lack of side pockets. That is one of the largest positives in my mind as you gain usable floor space. The 20 ft Cobalt felt much smaller to us.
-Hull: this is a four winns forum, so I won't go into all the stable V specifics. I will say that the boat holds plane at a lower speed then any other I/O that I (or all of my boat-owning friends) have ever driven. Very handy for wakeboarding, tubing, little kids waterskiing, etc. (I slalom and the wake is great for that also!)
-Rear-facing seats: Lots of debate on these and I know other brands have them. But, it was the number one factor for my wife and we use them every time we are out. If I am ever inclined to meet strangers, all I need to do is open them up and people will motor over and ask about them.
-Looks: We got the RS. My wife picked the green and it's really grown on me. I liked the SS but we both went to Michigan and the SS looked like a Buckeye helmet. As capn said in the other thread, it's also an easy boat to spot.
-Locally made: I'm from northern Michigan and have actually met Tom Gores. He runs Platinum equity and they own the company. They are doing well and are kind of a Michigan success story. The brand was left for dead without him (even if he is a sparty).
I'd be happy to provide any additional info you need. Here are the links that I was referring to.
http://www.boatingworld.com/BoatTests/A ... 90-RS-2013http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iyVXV6-o848