www.iFourWinns.com

My '88 H-200 is a bit bigger than the newer ones (20'9") and came with a 14.5x19 prop. With this it never hit the recommended max wot rpm of 4600-4800, it was more like 4200 So I switched to a 15x17 and that gave me 4600. I am going to try a 15.5x15 which should put me just at 5000, which is best for pulling the boat up on plane. A low WOT rpm is not a good thing that means the engine is really laboring to pull the boat up on plane and will lead to overheating exhaust valves and low compression. As recommended above, verify your rpm and speed and try to get it in the middle at least of the recommended range if not at the top end. Low WOT rpm is like trying to tow a trailer with a truck that has a numerically low gear ratio (like a 2.73:1 instead of a 3.90:1).

_________________
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

PS a long time ago (2001) we went up to Lake George with our neighbors and camped out on one of the islands. What a beautiful place. I'd love to go back but would not tow a boat from Long Island all that way as they did, rather just rent a boat there.

_________________
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

Thanks for the extended replies....drive and prop are in the garage but buried behind the tractor with plow for our little snow storm today.....interesting discussion on the props/RPM/Drive....I hadn't considered a tach issue as it always *seemed* about right...specially at the lower end....will hook up the timing light in the spring....don't have any idea of the history of the boat prior to me getting it....sure seems to run well aside from issues mentioned. One more reason to look forward to spring

_________________
Jon Miller
1998 four Winns Horizon H200
Volvo Penta 4.3 GL
Newtown, CT

untitled-545 by millerjont, on Flickr

Hey Jon, is that tach an individual gauge or part of an "automotive-style" cluster? While you are looking at the tach, does it have a screw on the back with numbers surrounding it? If so, this screw is to set the number of cylinders your engine has. Look at the manufacturer's website for the correct setting. Just a thought. Make any adjustment carefully.

_________________
Surface Interval: A scuba diving term for that time between dives to relax and prepare for life's next great adventure.

Current boat: '02 FW 268 Vista
Previous boat: '95 FW 190 Horizon

Get a good engine analyzer like an Actron and hook up with the tach function for your engine cyls selected. They are much more accurate than an old dash tach in a boat. I still used the rpm and dwell function being that I have a points distributor and carb. Volts function is nice for checking your batteries and alternator. Every boat owner should have one.

Also keep in mind your normal load. If you are normally loaded heavy (ie 4people) you really want it propped to the upper end of the rpm range, as close to 5,000 as you can get but not over. The engine will live longer because it will be able to pull a load when it's closer to its torque peak and not laboring.

Why we get trucks with at least a 3.73:1 gear ratio if not 3.90:1 or 4.10:1 for towing, instead of the standard 3.23 or 3.55:1 ratios. It makes a big difference.

If I still was using my '98 Jeep 4.0 for towing I would have had it re-geared to 4.10:1. Also helps when you fit larger diameter tires. We have 30" tires on it now, it came with 28" tires on it.

_________________
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

I replaced the automotive cluster with the plug and play replacement faria setup....and cleaned up all the ground wiring at the same time.

Assuming it might be mis-propped.....hopefully the ship hasn't sailed on torturing the motor too much....though this boat has lasted about 4 more years than I thought it could...

and assuming it is has the wrong prop on it, what are the advantages of what it has on it (low rpm) fuel economy? seem sto do fine with watersports and cruising around my little lake.

_________________
Jon Miller
1998 four Winns Horizon H200
Volvo Penta 4.3 GL
Newtown, CT

untitled-545 by millerjont, on Flickr

Jon, do verify that the adjustment screw on the back of the tach is set correctly for the six cylinder 4.3 engine. You indicated that top speed was in the mid to high 30s and rpm was 3300rpm. Is this with a light load and one or two occupants, or loaded up heavy? The book figures from Fast Facts show a six mph increase from 4000rpm to Wide Open Throttle. This would indicate to me that WOT rpm would be 4500-4600. From what I have seen, Volvo recommends a max rpm between 4200 and 4600.

You asked about a higher pitch prop, performance, and fuel economy. Going to a higher pitch prop and lower rpm does not necessarily produce more fuel economy. Many times it is worse. The boat manufacturer matched the best configuration for that boat. In fact, on my 268 I installed a Lowrance fuel flow system and found that I get 10-15% better fuel economy at 3700-3800 rpm than at 3500-3600. Remember, it takes a given amount of power to move a boat at a given speed. As I recommended earlier, something doesn't add up. Either the gauges are giving you bad info, the boat is way over-propped, or the engine is not delivering full power.

_________________
Surface Interval: A scuba diving term for that time between dives to relax and prepare for life's next great adventure.

Current boat: '02 FW 268 Vista
Previous boat: '95 FW 190 Horizon

I just booked an island site for 4th of July.

Not thrilled about having to pay to launch/park in addition to the LG pass needed to boat on the lake. I guess I'm spoiled here with our free state launches.

_________________
2006 Four Winns Horizon 200
Volvo Penta 5.0 GXi/SX