www.iFourWinns.com

I bought this unit new on 07/08. I love the boat but it spends more time at the dealer than in the water (84 hrs logged).... 1 time was for the bimini top mount pulled out Fixed under warranty. 2 time gel coat cracked by anchor locker. 3 time I brought it to them about the rubber gasket under the mounts for the SS Arch pushed out and digging into gel coat. Not fixed said it was normal.. BS I fixed it. 4 time the graphics peeling off replaced under warranty....5 time was for cracked gel coat around bow seat cushions. Now i just got it back from storage, started it up and what do ya know an exhaust leak (block to manifold) to the dealer it goes # 6 Am I expecting to much? 45 min drive to the dealer and he has it for 3days to a week each time.. I know Four Winns builds good boats. W T F !! Glad they THREW IN THE EXTENDED WARRANTY!!

I actually had all the same issues as you. As each season progressed, I wrote them down, contacted FW and had it resolved when I got the boat in for the annual service in the fall. This way it was done over the winter, and I didn't have to look at it in the drive. It's only 20 min to the place I get service done (and then warranty work), but it's 3 hours to the nearest FW dealer. I didn't let small stuff like cracked gel coat or my decals bubbling get in the way of my season!

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Walt B
"Debt-Charged"
Black '07 H210SS
6.2L Bravo One turning a 21P HIFive
Wakeboard Tower with Perfect Pass Stargazer version
Missouri River; Kansas City, Mo.

I KNOW I'S FRUSTRATING! I've had my share of little things too. And really they are all pretty minor. Still aggravating though. I'd be hard pressed to buy another FW.

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H210SS 6.2
F150 Platinum

Sold mine yesterday. I got a bit less than I figure it was worth but I got a great deal when I bought it so it didn't cost me much for the 2 years I owned it. Cost per engine hour is not something I want to figure out though (ouch!).

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2008 H210SS Yellow VP 5.7 GXi 320 HP (sold May 2010)
2008 Mercedes ML 320 CDI Diesel

My FW H220 has been nothing but a pleasure to own with not a single problem (knock on wood)... HOWEVER, the trailer is a completely different story... It's in the shop as I speak fixing yet another surge brake issue...

I would be hard-pressed to own another FW too if they continue to build sub-par trailers... I may sell mine next spring when more people are wanting to own a water toy... Contrary to most boat owners, my next boat will be smaller. Probably a 20-footer on a single axle trailer (something to fit in my garage too)...

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2008 H220 Frenzy - 5.7L VP SX Drive
2013 Tahoe LTZ Tow Vehicle (admiral's ride)
2011 Ford F150 XLT Ecoboost Tow Vehicle

The dealer is part of the problem.. He has had the boat since last October to get the gel coat stuff done and never did it. He winterized it and was to change the oil and go over the boat. I checked the oil yesterday before I fired it up and it's full but it's black ! The mercury oil i have is golden brown.. And it not royal purple so i think he just put on a new filter and called it a day.. and it hasn't hit the water yet. I also have had problems with the trailer the axles weren't parallel so it wore the tires funny dealer said normal. also the tire were never balanced and they would damn near shake the fenders off.. so both of those problems were fix by me... For what we pay for these boats you would think we would have bs quality issues. The next closest dealer is 60 miles away but it might be worth the trip.

Sounds like addressing your complaints needs to start with your dealer. Get a new one if you can.

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Paul
2007 Four Winns Horizon 220
Mercruiser 350 Mag MPI w/ Bravo III Drive
2004 Ford Explorer Limited (V8-AWD)
Pomme de Terre Lake (Southwest Missouri)

sorry to hear about your probs...hopefully this is the end of them since none seem to be related to one another. just got mine and hope no such issues....the decal on side (black streak) that goes behind SS was coming loose first trip out....new it was loose when bought and we just pulled it off on both sides....actually seems to look better to me....i was thinking that since this sticker went over another one it was a prob area. guess i can get replacements.,..will sure keep eye out on other areas you mentioned.....fyi-they told me to not use arch for tubing and I assume ski's (not sure on that) due to amount of water these displace (force).....not sure if that even applies to your sitch or not, but thought i would mention it. Told to use tow eye for tubes and use arch for boards (knee or wake).

of course im a rookie at this arch stuff and don't know squat.....i liked this arch and the fw since it seemed much more solid than the SR i looked at - the SR tower would sway 4 inches with minimal force. The fw forward arch is rock solid - or so i thought.

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http://i1339.photobucket.com/albums/o71 ... wqm355.jpg


08' H210SS
VP 5.7Gi

I bought my 08 new last July... haven't had any problems, but have noticed 2 small spider web looking cracks in the gel coat, and some cracks by the rear ladder on the swim platform. Very minor stuff and I doubt anyone but me has noticed it, but I'm sure it shouldn't be there. Problem is I'd have to tow my boat out of state now to the nearest FW dealer.. and it simply isn't worth it to me. Seems like to me FW needs more dealers and better quality ones.

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2008 FW F204 - 5.0 VP "Stand On It"
Former Boat: Larson 186 LXI - 4.3 VP

I've had one of the same problems as you with the arch gasket and also a rear vent mount stud delamination, so far that's it. I only have 51 hrs on it though too. Only three days per visit doesn't sound that bad and they're fixing the issues properly I guess, so ti doesn't sound like the dealer is the issue just design/manufacturing issues. Hope you have better luck with it.

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Mike
Smithville, MO
08' Hayabusa, 2011 Subaru Outback, 03' Infiniti G-35 S.C.

One of the nice things about an old boat...I'm happy if it starts, runs and shifts properly. The rest I don't worry about too much like a beater car...now of course if I got a new or nearly new one my expectations would be much higher...but it's still a hunk of fiberglass with a wood or composite frame...Merc or Volvo engine and a whole bunch of other stuff from outside suppliers...made mostly by hand...

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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

Ok so what brand might you look at curious, I liked the Regals.

Mike

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Mike
2007 Horizon 200 SS
5.0 GXi SX drive.

I'm going to get an outboard next so no more FWs for me....maybe a Key West dual console with a Yamaha 4 stroke....I have had pretty good luck with the old OMC I/O but the marine growth issue in salt water is really a big problem...the antifouling paints don't work so well on aluminum...

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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