www.iFourWinns.com

Well I thought would give you an update.

I got to see a OEM platform attached to a 180 and it looks great. TX is correct it doesn't sit down as close as a true aftermarket but is definately fits my needs. Not to mention Four Winns is trying to stock them which makes my wait one week. WHEEEE!! So here are the final numbers

Platform: $1050
Shipping: $180
Install: $320

Plus the tax naturally, how would the worthless survive without more of my money.

Also I did finally get a response from http://www.swim-platforms.com. Their email was quite funny, they sent two (I sent two requests) their price changed $100 in 30 minutes and their wait time was 5 to 6 weeks so just from communications and such I would go with http://www.swimplatforms.com if I wasn't buying from my dealer. The aftermarket pieces sure seem like they handle a lot more options and freedoms.

The only problem with these folks is they didn't have a template for the H180 so they asked me to complete one. They sent very detailed instructions but I'm a dang insurance agent with Adult ADD. I don't trust myself to make one of those and that frankly scared the hell out of me.

I'll keep you informed and include pics when it's done. Thanks for your help.

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2008 Four Winns 224 Funship 5.0 GXI/DP Black w/ Tower
2007 GMC Crew Cab Short Bed / Bose Ed.
2007 Fourwinns H180 (SOLD)

"There are no stupid questions, only stupid people"

You will love the extra room thats for sure. I think you should look at a step down one before you pull the trigger. Not using the ladder to get back in the boat is great. I'm going to a concert on the water tonight in my boat so i'll try to get some better pics.

_________________

Tx,

I definately agree with you, but I have a feeling this boat will only be another year or two before we go to a 210 or 220. I have a new post thats going to talk why I chose four winns and the story behind it. For now though I have two large vacations planned with a full family and lots of little kids. Because I waited so long I don't have time to go with the custom step downs if I want it for the two trips so I've pulled the trigger on the OEM. When I do buy another I will do a lot more research and be willing to do some detail work but for now game on.

Thanks

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2008 Four Winns 224 Funship 5.0 GXI/DP Black w/ Tower
2007 GMC Crew Cab Short Bed / Bose Ed.
2007 Fourwinns H180 (SOLD)

"There are no stupid questions, only stupid people"

They had an ESP in the showroom where I got my boat - looked like it might be for a 190. The thing was HUGE - got some real estate there. You're taking a bunch of younger kids? Maybe get a swing set for it (P.S. hope that doesn't sound facetious - it will be a sweet addition to an already nice rig).
Seems to me it had the identical ladder as is equipped normally on the FW which is another plus beyond the instant fit and finish.

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2008 Four Winns 210 5.7 GI/SX
2007 GMC Sierra 2500 Crew
1966 Fed-Up Wife

Well the 190 does utilize the same ladder, the 180 on the other hand has a different ladder config so it has to be replaced. But oh well, can't wait till the boy jumps off it.

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2008 Four Winns 224 Funship 5.0 GXI/DP Black w/ Tower
2007 GMC Crew Cab Short Bed / Bose Ed.
2007 Fourwinns H180 (SOLD)

"There are no stupid questions, only stupid people"

When I bought mine there were 2 options from my dealer. The one that sits on top, and the one that fits below the bumperline as shown. If I remember correctly, price was $1K, no shipping. I installed it myself with tips from this site.

Those options do exist I believe for the 200's up. The 180 and 190 didn't have any options until a year or so ago and the only one fits on top. Or my dealer is wrong, and with 3 being sold a week I'm pretty sure he's got it. If you read the four winns site it stills says the 180 and 190's are not available.

The 08 models are being offered as an option from the factory which would be nice. But the next boat will be bigger and won't matter.

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2008 Four Winns 224 Funship 5.0 GXI/DP Black w/ Tower
2007 GMC Crew Cab Short Bed / Bose Ed.
2007 Fourwinns H180 (SOLD)

"There are no stupid questions, only stupid people"

Update: Stopped by the Boat House today and was met by a smiling parts guy.

I say, "surely my platform has been shipped its been a week"

Response, it's downstairs, when can u bring the boat in.

Tuesday is installation day, I'll post pics that night. Just in time for my trip a week from today.

_________________
2008 Four Winns 224 Funship 5.0 GXI/DP Black w/ Tower
2007 GMC Crew Cab Short Bed / Bose Ed.
2007 Fourwinns H180 (SOLD)

"There are no stupid questions, only stupid people"

Can't wait to see pics!

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2000 Four Winns H190 5.0L with Samson Tower / Nissan Titan CC / Lexus SC430 / Honda CBR954RR

They look great, and are useful I'm sure, but all I can think of is the back pain that would cause, when removing and installing the drive! Plus I like being able to change a prop on the water if needed.

_________________
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

The ESP platform wouldn't make a difference on replacing the prop. Easy to get to still in our out of the water. Removing the drive on the other hand without a lift or help would be quite a problem.

For me I've destroyed WAY to many things I've worked on over the years that I've developed a simple attitude. I get paid well for what I do and work very hard at it. When I can find a professional that works very hard at what he does then I'll pay him well to do it also.

Therefore I knew when I bought this boat that if I couldn't afford to have it fixed then I shouldn't buy it. (also the reason for the extended warranty)

God Bless all of you who can and do your own work, you get all my props but I'm still looking where to add the blinker oil to my 1984 Chrysler I had 15 years ago.

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2008 Four Winns 224 Funship 5.0 GXI/DP Black w/ Tower
2007 GMC Crew Cab Short Bed / Bose Ed.
2007 Fourwinns H180 (SOLD)

"There are no stupid questions, only stupid people"

Good to know the prop change is not so bad. I do most of my own work because good mechanics are hard to find and I have always liked working with anything mechanical. I will do the winterizing, tune up, drive service but if it has a leak in the drive, or needs a shift cable or bellows that I will have the shop do.
Still driving my old 98 Jeep Grand Cherokee with the ancient AMC designed inline 6 because they are so easy to maintain. Now and then I'll look at modern cars in the showrooms and after seeing how hard they are to work on I'll usually just shut the hood and move on!
It's good to make a living doing what you're good at and the rest hire out, this is just a fun hobby for me, if I had to do it everyday it might not be so much fun!

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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

It seems like removing the drive wouldn't be that big of a deal... you just take the ESP off first. I imagine that that hardest part of installing it is just drilling some holes in the right places. Take out 6-10 bolts or something and the ESP is off, right?

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2000 Four Winns H190 5.0L with Samson Tower / Nissan Titan CC / Lexus SC430 / Honda CBR954RR

All those bolts have to be sealed with a sealer like 3M 4200 so you will not want to be pulling that thing off every time you remove the drive (should do it at the end of each season to do the drive service). One thing you don't want is any way for water to get in the transom, plywood or composite. I think FW should just make the built in swim platform a little bigger so you don't have to drill holes in the transom. That is usually the cause of most transom rot and delamination failures, holes that weren't properly sealed.

_________________
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

The ESP atleast the OEM one they are installing will NEVER come off unless there is a problem with the rear of the boat. It is up high enough and gives plenty of clearance to do any service to the drive. They are designed this way from FW. I specifically asked.

Yes it does make it a pain as you lose the leverage of being able to stand over the drive but all shops have a nice little lift to support the drive and they don't have any issues servicing the boat with the ESP installed.

Now I can't speak to the aftermarket ones like http://www.swimplatforms.com but from the ones I've seen they don't create a problem either.

For those of you wanting an esp but not wanting to lose the easy access I suggest you check out http://www.swim-platforms.com who have developed a hinged platform that can fold up for storage in a garage and/or service.

_________________
2008 Four Winns 224 Funship 5.0 GXI/DP Black w/ Tower
2007 GMC Crew Cab Short Bed / Bose Ed.
2007 Fourwinns H180 (SOLD)

"There are no stupid questions, only stupid people"