www.iFourWinns.com

hi, new to boating, have been reading the forums almost nightly to learn as much as possible. i have a couple questions.

1. there is a hose in the engine compartment that has a fitting for a garden hose,can I attach a hose here and run the engine on dry land.

2. I have had the boat out once last fall before it went to storage, and I noticed the the steering whell is off center. Is this a problem or a normal cond.

thanks
Matt

2002 Horizon 240
5.7L VP w/duo-prop

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2002 Horizon240
5.7L VolvoPenta
DuoProp

Hi Matt, and welcome.

It was recommended to me by the dealer to use good quality muffs to flush the engine on dry land, and I have done this since day 1. I asked about the hose fitting once and he said it was fiddley to use - you needed to get a spanner to undo it, then insert the hose fitting, then after it, tighten it up (without overtightening it), then make sure it didn't leak etc. Great flushing option if you are in the water, but muffs were a lot quicker and easier on land.

Mine is maybe just a little off centre - I found it depends a bit on how the boat is loaded. If you are not sure, set the wheel in the centre and have a look at the position of the leg. Should be close... Can't recall seeing any adjustment for this...

Hope this helps....

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Alec

2006 Horizon 190
VP 4.3GL/SX, Sunsport

Welcome Matt,

There are 2 types of VP flush systems; earlier ones I believe were not meant to be used when the engine is running, later ones can as it is just a T-piece fitted in the raw water inlet hose.(not that expensive a retrofit. I'm sure). It was certainly the later type by 2004, it wasn't fitted at all in 1999, so your 2002 boat could be either! I changed the screw on garden hose fitting on mine to a quick release type ( plus a ball valve to make sure there is no air drawn in during normal running). Male coupling on the engine hose, capped off with a blanked off female coupling attached to the original strap holding the screw on cap. It's now very easy to use.

The only adjustment I am aware of for the steering is the relative position of the hub and wheel to the steering box shaft . I can't remember if it's splined or a hexagon shaft; if splined, it allows finer adjustment of the hub position but it could be a pain to seperate the hub and shaft after 7 years (aluminium hub, steel shaft + moisture = recipe for corrosion). Also ,the relative position of the wheel to the hub can be altered ( 6 countersunk bolts I think).

Graham

Graham

I am going to be storing my boat at a Sea Side marina with Racking service, so each time I am finished with it they will lift it out of the water and store it on the rack high and dry.

Is there any good way for me to be able to flush out the system while it is in the salt water and then shut it off so that it will have fresh water in the system when they lift it out and store it?
I guess I would have to isolate the raw water intake and tap into a fresh water hose dockside??? Would the salt water just find it's way back in??

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2005 Horizon 230 5.7 GI/DP 280-HP
2005 Suburban "The Battlewagon"

The standard VP flush system would fill your engine and outdrive with fresh water. How much of the salts from salt water that diffuse into that fresh water wil depend entirely on how long the boat is in the water after you have flushed it. Maybe using something like the Neutrasalt system would be best; so whatever salts diffuse in would be neutralised.

Graham

I'd check with the marina you are going to use & ask them what everyone else does - they should be able to provide you with some tips.

Graham, what is the standard VP flush system exactly?

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2005 Horizon 230 5.7 GI/DP 280-HP
2005 Suburban "The Battlewagon"

I was referring to the flush kit that comes as standard on the later VP engines; the T-piece and hose/ garden hose attachment fitted on the inlet hose just before the raw water pump. When the engine is running, with a fresh water supply attached, it flushes out the engine ( or heat exchanger) and exhausts. When the engine is stopped, fresh water will pass the other way and out of the outdrive. If the boat is lifted immediately, little salt will have found it's way in by diffusion.

The Neutralt unit on the other hand is fitted just before the oil cooler at the transom. The liquid is sucked in as the engine runs on salt water, but doesn't pass anything into the outdrive.

Graham