www.iFourWinns.com

The one problem I've found with my boat is that I have no place in the middle of the boat to hang a fender. The cleats are at the bow and aft of the boat, however I need a fender in the middle. So I've been told I can buy a hanger for the windshild, but I've yet to find one. I've seen suction cups, but I've heard mixed reviews. My other option would be to install a cleat, my boat has the single pin Popup Cleats, though I wish it were the double pin style.

Has anyone installed a cleat themselves, or is this something I should talk to a dealership about?

Thanks for any advice.

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2007 Four Winns 190 Horizon Merc 4.3 MPI

Our boat on Crescent Lake in Oregon

STOP!! Just kidding...

I'd hate to see you make the same mistake I did. The 09 H180's don't come with a cleat in the middle either so I had my dealer install a couple. Not expensive, but i found they're totally useless unless they're in the exact place that you want to hang a fender. I found that mine aren't.

I had a couple of suction cups that came with a kit I bought to attach a tube to my boat. I didn't need them any longer with my new boat because I just tie the straps to my aft cleats. I stick one of the suction cups to my windshield and hang a fender right where I want it.

I their defense...my dealer tried to talk me into fender locks (http://www.bigmouthboatsupply.com/3451010.html), but unless you do a little trial and error before installing them....they're no different than a cleat and I think the cleat can be used for other things. (holding onto when waxing the boat in the water...getting your big toe stuck in...you know...other things....)

my two cents...

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2010 H190 4.3VP
Tow Vehicle:
2007 F150
Previous boats:
2009 H180 3.0VP
1996 Horizon QX 3.0VP

hello all- I also have a H190. I just use the Fender Tender. Works GREAT and is easy to adjust. You can hook it on your window, bow rail, etc.... I am able to have 3 Fenders if needed.

Thanks,


http://www.overtons.com/modperl/product ... 009&r=view

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Dennis

2007 H190
4.3 liter
Seattle WA

Thanks for the feedback!!! I wasn't thrilled with the idea of drilling or having my boat drilled into, but I need to do something.

Dennis thanks for the link to the Fender Tenders that is what I'll try first. I searched all over iBoats and Overtons and never found those.

So I want to fully understand, you tie the fender rope to the bow or aft cleat, then hang it using the fender tender or suction cup?

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2007 Four Winns 190 Horizon Merc 4.3 MPI

Our boat on Crescent Lake in Oregon

I have a 07 H180 that the dealer installed a couple of extra cleats on each side. The dealer-installed cleats are a little low and the front one isn’t far enough forward. I find the factory bow cleat is only good for tie up the boat. We do a lot of traveling though the lock system and tie up at the town docks, which are concrete walls. I use a Hull Hugger with a piece of nylon webbing with a dome one each end. This allows me to attach it anywhere along the hull. The domes are equally spaced along the sides of the boat. Using the Hull Hugger that has the flex point allows it to fit the contours of the boat. It also does not put any pressure or pulling on the factory domes. They are available in a few colors as well.
I find that the small pin type bumper holders tend to allow bumpers to fall off when the boats are moving around at the dock.
http://www.thefind.com/sports/browse-hu ... our-fender
I also use the traditional bumpers with cleats.
Andrew

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Andrew
07 H180
2000 Buell X-1
Stouffville Ontario
Canada

Cool - I have exactly the same issues as you Y-Guy and could never find a suitable solution... currently tie my fender to the bimini mount which is not ideal. I think the Fender Tender may be the answer - certainly cheap enough to give a try.

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Alec

2006 Horizon 190
VP 4.3GL/SX, Sunsport

Andrew, thanks interesting fenders.

Alec I did the same thing, but I was concerned if I could either rip the bimini mount out or damage the window frame. It's mounted just about in the perfect spot on my boat.

Alec, do you have any issues with where your spare tire is located? Previous owner had mine mounted near the tongue but I noticed it blocks the side amber light.

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2007 Four Winns 190 Horizon Merc 4.3 MPI

Our boat on Crescent Lake in Oregon

I had the same problem BUT I went to dealer bought oem cleat, did some measurements & installed. Looks like mfg installed & I had already drilled into hull to install fish finder transducer, no big deal. Just measure 3x drill once! I also used reinforcement by putting block of Maple between hull & washer/nuts. My Bayliner had 3 & the middle was most often used for the fender. The different clips,suction cups will.can cause you to 1 loose fender 2 cause you then to have damage BUT it's ALL what you feel comfortable with. My $0.02

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2008 H190 Blue W/Red accents 4.3L Merc
2015 Tacoma Access Cab Super White 4x4 TRD Sport
2014 HD FXDC Black Stage 1 Mods V&H Bolt Ons,Naked VO2 AC & FP3.
2011 Polaris 500HO RED]
Life Long Boston Bruin Fan 2011 Stanley Cup Champs!!
#736

Y-Guy, no problems at all with the spare tire location - works great! You will note however that it is on the port side of the trailer - we drive on the left side of the road here, so I swapped it over from the other side (how it was delivered from FW) so I would not get cleaned-up by passing traffic if I ever needed to use it!

The U-clamps that hold it are mounted as far forward as they will go on the straight section of rail before it bends. Clears the hull easily - about 3" - and I have never hit it loading the boat on.

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Alec

2006 Horizon 190
VP 4.3GL/SX, Sunsport

KSJ08 - thanks for the input, much appreciated. I think I'll try the fender tenders and see how they do, but I do think I'll secure the rope to the handhold on the bow. I do think eventually I'd like to have cleats installed.

Aussie - Good advice on the proper side of the boat, I think I'll move mine this weekend since its looking like rain heading our way.

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2007 Four Winns 190 Horizon Merc 4.3 MPI

Our boat on Crescent Lake in Oregon

Yes I will usually tie one to each cleat then use the fender tender in the middle. For quick stops at a dock I will just use the middle fender and the aft fender. Works great! You can also tie a fender on the bow rail if needed. Once you get the fender tender you will be able to adjust and play with it as needed.

I just did not like the idea of drilling or adding another cleat. I think you will find it is the best $8 you spend.

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Dennis

2007 H190
4.3 liter
Seattle WA

I do the same, just use the bimini mounts to tie on. Not ideal I agree, but it works.

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2008 H210SS VP 5.7 Gi/SX
2011 Ford F150 FX4 EB

It's 6 degrees out today, I'm really wishing I was out on the boat and it was about 106 today. Brrrr. Winter plans are to order a set of fender tenders and give them a try.

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2007 Four Winns 190 Horizon Merc 4.3 MPI

Our boat on Crescent Lake in Oregon

Gotta love threads like this, didn't know I needed fender tenders before, but now I have a pair. They look good, although the packaging actually shows clipping these onto cleats as one of the uses - that's stretching things a bit!

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2007 Horizon 200
4.3L GXi/ SX 225 HP