www.iFourWinns.com

As some of you may remember, I joined this board last Fall (2007) with a question about relocating my batteries in order to achieve more storage area. Here are the results of much deliberation, thought,beer, and some hacking and slashing! I decided to relocate the two deepcycle marine to the rear most area of the boat and add a third battery to handle the starting duties...
I started to demo before I took pictures (Maybe St. Louis Dave can help me out and post a picture of his battery/engine area?) so here is a photo of the general area in question. You'll notice that the potable water tank and pump are missing as well as the plastic dividers. the dividers make it nearly impossible to do any kind of service on the engine so they went and the potable water tank was something we decided to take out since we can just carry on some water in gallon jugs and besides that we are on a lake!



The battery switch was kind of tucked a little bit too far to the stern and made access difficult due to the stairs... It will be relocated 6 inches forward so I only have to drill two fresh holes in the fibreglass.



While all this was going on, I decided to cut a chunk out of the rear "valance" in order to achieve better access to the transom hump for storage.... Instead I was able to relocate the trim pump up here and used one of the old pieces of plastic to create a backing plate.



After rewiring, this is the final result!







I just now have to button back up the interior and I will be good to go !!!!!

Oh yeah, I also relocated the gas filler to the rear of the boat in order to make getting that starboard battery in easier but I don't have any pictures yet...

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Marc, Kathlin & Nathalie


'89 Chaparral Laser 32

'93 Vista 245, 5.8L w/ King Cobra

Former Boats
'01 H260, 7.4 VP Duoprop
'98 H200, 5.0 GL w/VP SX drive

Darn, who'd of thought an extra six feet would provide all that room. I'm astounded by the sheer access to the engine, etc. Storage space?, it's back home in the garage. All said and done, nice job. BTW - what and where are these "stairs" you speak of?

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2007 Horizon 200
4.3L GXi/ SX 225 HP

Nice big engine compartment. On my ancient 1988 200 Horizon, the access is about the same once you move the rear seats foward and pull out the divider panels. When I re-did the deck I put in a new bulkhead after the rear seats and the whole thing comes apart easily with wingnuts. Only thing I'd add is maybe use a batt hold down instead of straps and get some of the rubber terminal covers for the positive terminals at least in case you ever drop a wrench on one......600 amps makes a nice spark when dead shorted!

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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

Great job, and great pics!

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Mike
2005 Four Winns 230/240
VP 5.7GXi/DP
1998 F-150 XLT
Boat Pic

I'm still freaking out over the wonderful access you have. When I pull the seat and the panels on my '07 200, access to the front of the engine is ok, but look what they give me on the sides.

I'm lucky to get one arm in to access the batteries and sides of the engine! A head, one sholder and arm at best. I've heard of guys getting stuck in there too.

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2007 Horizon 200
4.3L GXi/ SX 225 HP

I'll get some pix this weekend of mine so you all can see the difference in what Mill did. Nice job and I love the extra room you are getting. I'm going to move both of my batteries to the port side of the boat this winter so I can have the storage space under the stairs.

The stairs he is referring to is the entry point on the starboard side between the cockpit and the swim platform. You can see them from the stern in this picture.


My stairs are down (in place) over the two batteries in this picture.




I've got to get some of the sound proofing material you have. The engine is a tad loud in the cockpit and I'm sure the foam will help.

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2001 Horizon 260 - 7.4 Volvo GSI DP

Thanks guys!

St. Louis, I would highly recommend you put your batteries on each side like I did the room is awesome! Is your battery switch a "bugger" to access now?

Jim_R -- The access to the front of the engine is very minimal!!! The only thing I have good access for is down the sides of the motor (Sparkplugs, drain plugs etc...) What you don't realize is that once the bulkhead is re-installed.... You almost have to be a snake to get at anything so, that's why I wanted to move everything back as far as possible so I don't have to reach !!!

Sorry about the picture sizes, I did this at home and my computer there doesn't have all the capabilities that work does ... I have resized them on photobucket so maybe they will "shrink" if not I will just have to leave them as is.

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Marc, Kathlin & Nathalie


'89 Chaparral Laser 32

'93 Vista 245, 5.8L w/ King Cobra

Former Boats
'01 H260, 7.4 VP Duoprop
'98 H200, 5.0 GL w/VP SX drive