www.iFourWinns.com

Hi All,

I've been surfing the forum and I've (gratefully)already learned a thing or two. I recently bought a 1995 190 horizon with a 190hp 4.3L i/o with extremely low hours. Its my first boat, and I'm a little ashamed to admit that I bought it while I am still lacking a solid knowledge of power boats.

I am really interested in learning as much as I can, and doing as much of my own maintenance as possible. I would be grateful to hear any tips or warnings about what i've got.

First time on the water...no trouble. Two days later, I took the boat out again and I had some starting troubles. Sometimes, I turn the key and the boat fired right up. A few times though, I turned the key and it either clicked...or did nothing at all. Since I've only had the boat a few days, and I bought it from a dealer, Im gonna take it back tomorrow and have them check it out. But I was wondering what could be the problem. The volt meter shows 12v when I turn the key, and about 14v when the engine is running. Any thoughts?

Also, I plan to use the boat for a ton of tubing and skiing, and I have the factory 3 blade prop. Should I be upgrading? Another question, I would like to be able to run the stereo for extended lounging periods, should I be considering a second battery?

Thanks in advance for any replys.

Peace,
Dobb.

Could be a worn starter, starter solenoid, or dirty/corroded battery cable connections. Assuming the battery is good at least.

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

Welcome aboard! I just wanted to let you know that I was in the same boat (pun intended) this time last year. New to boating, starting to run into issues, and wanting to do things myself even though I was no mechanic. I have found a TON of helpful information on this forum, so I recommend searching (first) & posting (second) here for most issues.

I recently had the same issue with my starter and thanks to this forum and some of my gear head buddies, I replaced mine and it works great. I recommend disconnecting the battery and cleaning all connections on the battery and the starter with water and baking soda. If the starter still acts up, you can pull it and have it tested at NAPA. The hardest part of the job for me was getting to the starter. After figuring out how to do a good head stand in the engine compartment, I was able to take the old starter out and put the new one in pretty quickly. Cost of a new starter is about $220 at West Marine or you can have your existing one rebuilt for between $65 and $130. These options are much cheaper than what the dealer was quoting me. Hopefully, you have some kind of warranty with them or else I recommend doing it yourself.

Hope this helps!

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2001 Four Winns 180 Horizon
4.3L Volvo Penta

A 95 is now going on 14 years old...my 88 Horizon was the same age when be bought it....and the best thing I ever did was take it to a good mechanic....he went through it and got it shifting well and running right...it needed a rebuilt carb and a new antisphon valve...and the shift system had to be adjusted. I have had to do a few other repairs over the years....gimble, bellows...trim lines...but not beyond what is expected for a boat this age. Now I have learned to do all the maintence and many repairs myself and have been able to keep it running well, overall it's been a reliable boat especially in view of its age.

If your battery cables are original I'd replace them, mine were all corroded with green corrosion up in the strands of the wires, I put in a dual battery system at the same time (very good addition...2 gp 27 dual purpose batteries add some safety)...I've never had a dead batt since I did this.

Starters don't last that long in inboards because they are not meant to get wet. even marine starters...so you may need to replace it as well, but it's very important that the cables are in good shape (not just the pos to the starter, check the neg cable back to the engine ground as well), and that the terminals are clean. I put a coat of marine grease on all connections....salt water and salt air....

Finally I'd make sure that the drive is full of clean gear oil and that the gimble and ujoints are well greased....probably it's a good idea to have the drive removed and these things checked as they should be every season...I do this at the end of each season...

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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

Last year when I had problems with our boat starting, it was the Starter Solenoid. Good luck and there is a lot of Great info on this site!
Plus don't forget to post up some pics!

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Troy
2008 Centurion Avalanche
1994 Four Winns Horizon 180 SE 5.0L OMC Cobra (Sold)
2002 Ford F150 Harley Davidson Edition (http://www.nhtoc.com) 378 hp & 465 tq at rear wheels
2008 Honda Accord EX-L w/Nav