www.iFourWinns.com

This boat comes with an Alpha 1 drive, but I'm wanting to install a Bravo 3 drive for holeshot and other advantages. Anyone have any advice on this?
Thanks!

What other advantages?
Fit a Mercury High Five!

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2011 Four Winns H180 SS.
Aussie built Mustang 2800.
SOLD - 1997 Four Winns Horizon RS

How would one go about ordering one? What info would I need to determine pitch etc and order one?
Thanks again

What engine do you have in your 200? I am thinking that for the cost of the parts needed (a B3 outdrive including props will set you back $5,000 to $8,000) plus the labor it would better for you to sell the boat and buy one with a B3 or DP. In the mean time, you are better off buying a different prop to improve holeshot.

I try to tell people not to buy a boat with a Alpha 1, in fact I just talked my friend's dad out of one two weeks ago (Rinker 18' with 3.0L 135 hp). He ended up getting a Four Winns H200 with Volvo Penta 5.0GXi (270 hp).

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NEW - 2000 Cobalt 246 w/454 Magnum 385HP | SOLD - 2000 FW Horizon 180 LS w/5.0Gi 250HP Volvo Penta

Besides the Bravo drives being much stronger, the B3 advantages include:

Better acceleration

Straighter tracking at all speeds due to torque cancellation

Better coupling of horsepower to water (especially over 260hp) for the same prop diameter

Outdrive vs. Engine Mounted Raw-Water Pump – A major disadvantage of the Alpha I is its outdrive mounted raw-water pump. Servicing the pump requires removing the lower-unit of the outdrive. This is fairly easy to do on land, but impossible in the water. It also requires a full change of outdrive oil and is pretty messy. The Bravo (and Volvo) drives use a pully driven pump mounted on the engine. Depending on your engine installation, servicing can still be a nightmare, but at least you don’t have to deal with gear oil or handling an awkward lower unit.

Dog Clutch vs. Cone Clutch – The Alpha I uses a “dog” clutch design for shifting. The dog clutch is known for its reliability, but not for its finesse. Alpha drives go in and out of gear with a pronounced “clunk”. Bravo (and Volvo Penta SX/DP) drives use a “cone” clutch which offers smoother shifting that is perhaps a touch less distinctive to passengers. Either way, the difference is mostly aesthetic and not a big factor on performance.

Also, if you buy a Bravo 1 you can swap a Bravo 3 lower on in the future. Same with a Volvo Penta SX, you can swap in DuoProp lower. You have to swap everything over if you have an Alpha 1.

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NEW - 2000 Cobalt 246 w/454 Magnum 385HP | SOLD - 2000 FW Horizon 180 LS w/5.0Gi 250HP Volvo Penta

I thought ric was not posting here for the summer ??

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2005 H200

You are a good friend to have!

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"Knot Easy" 2000 Horizon 240 Volvo 5.7GS /SX
tow: 2017 Honda PILOT EXL-AWD
prev. boats:
'87 Chaparral 198CXL 4.3 OMC Cobra
'69 Jetstar 16ft Ski Boat, 115hp Yamaha
'68 Aluminum Jon Boat, 3hp Sears
'64 Water Wings

The raw water setup is different. Call the plumber!!!!!

Someone has to pick up the slack!


The skeg was completely gone on the Rinker he was looking at. The owner was trying tell him the boat works fine without it and the skeg is not needed. Luckily, he walked away.

That is when he called me. He just sold his supercharged PWC so I knew he would be unhappy with a boat that made 100 less HP than the PWC. He was going to pay cash for the boat because he didn't know you can finance for 10 years on boats for ridiculously low APR from his credit union. Now he has twice the HP, near mint condition, better brand/quality and a chunk of cash still in savings.

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NEW - 2000 Cobalt 246 w/454 Magnum 385HP | SOLD - 2000 FW Horizon 180 LS w/5.0Gi 250HP Volvo Penta