Another First Time Four Winns Shopper

PDACPA · **Posted:** Fri May 10, 2013 2:16 pm

All my friends have OB and working on the engine is just so much easier. Working on the OB is just much easier and it seems they have less issues when sitting. I like the I/O as is is something I am more familiar with. Maybe because I am the only guy with the I/O, but it seems I spend way more time on maintenance than the O/B friends.

LouC · **Posted:** Fri May 10, 2013 5:56 pm

OBs have many advantages, one, there is more room in the boat and in a smaller boat like an 18 footer that makes a big difference.
Two, they are quite a bit lighter than an I/O and therefore will perform better with the same HP (300-400 lbs less weight on the stern).
Three you can trim them up farther in shallow water without worrying about stressing the ujoints because an OB is straight shaft.
Four, they self drain, if you get caught in a sudden cold snap you don't have to drain the block and manifolds.
Five, easier to services basic items like oil filters and in some cases spark plugs.
Six safer because there is no risk of explosion due to fumes in the bilge.

OB down side is somewhat higher initial cost (now not so much because I/Os have to have those dastardly cat converters). Just wait till someone has to replace it. Like a 1K bill.
OB uses higher tech fuel/oiling system esp DI 2 stroke so that is more complex to an extent. 4 stroke Japanese design OBs have very expensive engine parts prices.
I/Os only real advantage is they are cheaper for major engine repairs. OB is more functional, safer, performs better. Really no contest.

Compare the room in an FW 180 OB vs the sterndrive and you will see. Monterey, Glastron and Bayliner are all also building smaller OB powered boats.
I've maintained an I/O myself in salt water for 11 years and I'm done with them. It was great to learn all this stuff and be able to do most jobs but given what I have learned from my own personal experience, you'd never catch me with another I/O. Life's too short for all the work that they take, at least here in the salt....

PDACPA · **Posted:** Fri May 10, 2013 6:05 pm

I agree! I work on my boat way more than my OB friends.

GalacticWaterman · **Posted:** Fri May 10, 2013 7:09 pm

Tom R wrote:

I don't know how small your old runabout was, but a 17.5' boat is considered small in itself. I have boated on several lakes in Minnesota, and some of them are not friendly to such small bowriders. If you have a very small family, the 2007 H180 you are considering is just big enough for 4 comfortably. If you are stuck on this entry level, smallest bowrider in FW lineup boat, I would prefer the O/B H180. Even at nearly triple the price of the 2007 H180. If it were me, and I wanted to take full advantage of all the lakes, I would be looking at 20' to 21' boats for more room and better handling/ride in choppy waters.

Good Luck

A bit embarrassing...but I have a 1961 Starcraft 15' with a 40HP on it. We have a cabin up North on a quite small lake and heave had the Starcraft since mid '70s. I am now too old to pull start and put up with the issues of a boat that old. My "planned" usage find any new boat at our cabin on the major weekends...Memorial Day/4th July/Labor day and maybe a couple of weeks in the summer...but would be available for other lakes the rest of the time. We are in Eden Prairie and are semi-retired so could go out to local lakes during the week when not too busy.

The 17.5 thought would be for my transition and learning if a $30K investment if worthwhile. Maybe a 17.5' would not truly be a good "one year" trial? If I end up going nowhere but our cabin the truth is the 17.5' could be a long-term "keeper" as the lake is quite small.

Thanks for your input...I am already a member of the "more horsepower and longer boat" group

Just wondering if this particular boat might provide a transition to learn from...Thanks again...Tom R

I have the H180 with 3L.
If you're only going to be using it on a small lake and mostly just cruising and fishing then it's ok.
For water sports it's better to have a more powerful motor, like the 4.3L

Tom R · **Posted:** Fri May 10, 2013 9:31 pm

Found a few more out there...2008 H190 4.3 Volvo Penta 190HP...112 hours...covers/bimini/flip up seats/depth finder/...brokered by dealer/marina that sells FW...$20K...sound real clean. Seems like a pretty good boat but isn't $20K quite high?

Another real nice one...2006 220 SSI...300HP Mercruiser Mag 5.7 MPI...Bravo 3 twin prop outdrive....200 hours...lots of goodies...looks real clean...red...no price listed. I e-mailed and anticipate a "rich" price?? red in color and really look nice. Guess at price?

Thanks for all the responses and info...Tom R

P.S. My wife want the Red 220 SSI...but we haven't seen the price yet

230 Mike · **Posted:** Fri May 10, 2013 10:21 pm

Tom R wrote:

P.S. My wife want the Red 220 SSI...but we haven't seen the price yet

Happy wife, happy life.

ric · **Posted:** Sat May 11, 2013 8:45 am

30k for that 220ss

PDACPA · **Posted:** Mon May 13, 2013 8:02 am

The 190 price sounds high to me, but that is what you get buying from a dealer.

usje141 · **Joined:** Sat Apr 24, 2010 9:22 am **Posts:** 78

My folks had a 1985 17' 3.0L Horizon that five of us used to pile in and have a blast skiing, fishing or just riding around. Although not the most powerful thing on the water, that is what I learned to salomon on, including deep water starts.

That said, I own a 190 4.3L which again is not the biggest or fastest, but it works quite well for my family of five. A bit more room and comfort and plenty of power to ski or tube.

As such, my recommendation would be to actually test drive the 180 3.0L as well as the 190 or 200. At least then you'll have a much better idea of how each performs and the amount of room available. If this is going to be used with a bunch of heavy adults, then bigger is the way to go. However, if it will be adults and kids/teens, a smaller, more affordable boat may work just fine.

If it were me, I'd forget the "trade-up" plan and just buy the right one the first time. I may be wrong, but I get the sense that like myself, you're really never going to get into the 21' and up crowd.

Good luck and keep us posted on your final decision.

www.iFourWinns.com

Another First Time Four Winns Shopper

Who is online