www.iFourWinns.com

I think the 4.3l V6 is a really good choice (at least for me!) as it has heaps of pulling power got get the huge Mega Slice tube out of the water with 4 people on it, plus does 50mph vs the 3.0 speed of around 40mph (you can never have too much speed ), and the fuel consumption is not that much more than the 3.0 as you are not working it as hard.

Mine has the Sunsport seating which is a really nice option as you can sit 4 across the back, good storage underneath and a big sundeck. I oohed and ahhhed at the time when I bought the boat as it cost an extra grand I think, but definately worth it.

_________________


Alec

2006 Horizon 190
VP 4.3GL/SX, Sunsport

The H180 is a great boat. Unfortunately it won't fit in my garage with that big swim platform on the rear so I'm currently looking at two boats -

- The H180LE - http://www.fourwinns.com/model/H180LE

- The Rae Line E180 - http://www.raeline.com/models-eseries180.asp

Both are about the same driveaway price, however the NZ-built Rae Line seems to have a higher spec.

I'm now creating "at-a-glance" comparison spreadsheets

JB

_________________
2010 Crownline 180BR
3.0 litre Mercruiser
Onyx black Narrow hull and middle deck band
Bimini/Targa, Bow and Cockpit canvas
2000kg tandem Dunbier trailer

Tow vehicle - Nissan Pathfinder Ti

Just to be clear JB....Did you mean the H190 was too big for your garage or does the H180 that you're looking at come with an extended swim platform?

The stock H180 is the same size as the H180LE.

If it's the latter.....have them take the swim platform off and repair the holes. Then sell the platform on e-bay. I was just quoted $750 to put one on my H180 (when I had it) I'm sure you could get $300 easy. (US dollars)

My two cents....

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

Thanks alec, I'm talking about the H180 which seems to come as stock with that great big swim platform as standard.

It's also about $4000 out of my price range!

Going to look at the Rae-Line today, see if that stacks up as well in the flesh as it does on paper.

JB

_________________
2010 Crownline 180BR
3.0 litre Mercruiser
Onyx black Narrow hull and middle deck band
Bimini/Targa, Bow and Cockpit canvas
2000kg tandem Dunbier trailer

Tow vehicle - Nissan Pathfinder Ti

I may be biased, but why not look at the Rae Line E185? I am a fan of outboards and I think it looks like a pretty nice boat.

Based on the limited pictures, it looks like Rae Line does not come with a fiberglass cockpit liner. That would be a huge advantage for the Four Winns in my opinion.

_________________
Current Operational Boats:
'04-Four Winns 180 Freedom 150 HP Evinrude
'72-Chris Craft Commander 31 Sedan Twin-350Qs

OK, I went to look at the Rae Line 180 (I like stern drives! ) today. It is a really well finished boat, and the only downside I can see is that it only comes with a 3 year warranty rather than the 5 year that is offered by the dealer on the Four Winns. I really liked it, it seems like a great quality boat. Why did they have to put the NZ silver fern and flag on the side though - not sure that will attract Ozzie buyers!

After that we went back to look at the Four Winns again. The H180LE is really not as well finished the Rae Line, notwithstanding RotaryRacer's point above about the fibreglass cockpit liner, I missed that and will have to ask.... It is however about $2000 cheaper. The Rae line has carpet, glove box, all the instruments, side windows etc that the H180LE doesn't have. So I can see what you get for the extra $2000.

The H180 standard model itself compares well with the Rae Line, however it is about $4000 more expensive. I did ask about ordering it without the rear swim deck (thanks nhprinter - very helpful) and that can be done and will be a bit cheaper - the dealer is going to call me with how much cheaper. It has a depth gauge which is not standard on the Rae Line, apart from that and the 5 year warranty there's not a lot between them.

My wife likes the H180 due to the comfort of the seats which is I guess very important for longer runs.

So at the moment still undecided, on value for money alone it looks like the Rae Line is winning, watch this space.

The other great thing that has happened is that we dropped the kids at a party this afternoon and my wife and I had a big walk along the beach together, all she wanted to talk about was boats which made me very happy as I really want a boat to be a family hobby, not something I go and do by myself!

JB

_________________
2010 Crownline 180BR
3.0 litre Mercruiser
Onyx black Narrow hull and middle deck band
Bimini/Targa, Bow and Cockpit canvas
2000kg tandem Dunbier trailer

Tow vehicle - Nissan Pathfinder Ti

YEP!!!! Those seats are comfy.110 Hours on the engine hour meter and they are still comfy. I know we are bias here but the FW make a good boat. Any chance of finding a 09 model somewhere in the country and buy one of the floor?
hope this helps
Ps Nice chatting to you the other night

_________________
Ardy
Adelaide South Australia
Red H180 3.0 Merc

Mate, it was so nice of you to call the other night and give me some advice. I keep telling my wife about this really friendly forum and how one guy from SA even took the time to ring me up - it was much appreciated.

I'll see how much the dealer wants with the swim platform removed - the problem is with the H180 is I really can't afford it........

JB

_________________
2010 Crownline 180BR
3.0 litre Mercruiser
Onyx black Narrow hull and middle deck band
Bimini/Targa, Bow and Cockpit canvas
2000kg tandem Dunbier trailer

Tow vehicle - Nissan Pathfinder Ti

About the carpet....check to see if it's the snap in kind or the glued in kind...snap in is OK but I'd never have another boat with glued in carpet...it's a bad design since in many boats it's glued over a plywood floor that's just skimcoated with fiberglass...if the screws to mount the seats are not sealed then it can cause rot....I had a lot of rot in my old 88 with the glued in carpet and never again...when I rebuilt it I tore out the carpet except on the gunnels and I installed the new deck and had it gelcoated in non skid gel...all holes sealed...way better. So if you have a choice of carpet vs fiberglass liner I'd go with the liner every time...

And as far as warrantee...keep in mind that Genmar went bankrupt and FW got bought by Platinum Equities...who said that they are honoring warrantees but I'd want more confirmation of that for sure...

And although you said you like sterndrives...in an 18 footer...take a look at the difference in space if you compared an outboard pwoered boat to a sterndrive...it's quite significant...there's much more room in the rear of the boat with an OB...plus a lot less weight....less maintenance which adds up over the years...the main thing with OBs is to make sure you can get good service on whatever make you buy...

sterndrive:
http://www.raeline.com/models-eseries180-specs.asp

outboard:
http://www.raeline.com/models-eseries185-specs.asp

_________________
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