www.iFourWinns.com

I have to agree about the Seadoo boats as I was also on the fence of purchasing an 2009 180 SCIC.

First of all my lake has a fair amount of weeds in it and I wasn't interested in climbing into the water whenever I sucked a bunch in since they no longer offer the automatic grate cleaner. I also decided I wanted a smoother and more versatile boat. Don't get me wrong, I'm not bashing these boats, I REALLY wanted one. I did however decide that with a new family and older parents at the cottage I wanted a boat that could do everything well, not one thing amazing. I was worried about the high rpm motor regarding lifespan and rebuilds, also the cost of rebuilding a supercharger. I have had lots of time in these boats and while they rip you out of the water they also rip the gas money out of your wallet.

The Seadoo would have been wicked fun but after giving it some careful consideration I decided I would eventually get bored of ripping across the lake driving like a maniac and visiting the pumps all weekend.

To each their own, and I hope you enjoy it. I am looking into purchasing an older Seadoo PWC to get my kicks on for $1500 or so. If it breaks, it breaks.

Jeff

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2009 H180 3.0 Volvo Penta

Oh. Thats one of the things I liked about my SCIC - I felt the fuel consumption was very reasonable. $60 would last ALL weekend. Loved the thrill ride and found it crazy manuverable once you get used to the opposite in reverse thing.
There is really no such thing as a lazy putt up the lake - damn thing walked EVERYWHERE except straight unless you giving it $h!t.
I do miss it sometimes (usually at fill up or when I'm cleaning and waxing the 210) It was a blast while it lasted but it never crosses my mind when I'm on the water in my FW
Different strokes as they say - we're fortunate to have so many to choose from.

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

I hope you habven't bought the boat yet. Reconsider! Don't trust anything from FourWinns says. They are shut down for a reason. Trust me! WAIT!!

I hope you are not driving a Chevy or Dodge then....

People in this forum are very well aware of Genmar situation… If you have some information please share with us… but please do not tell us something we already know…..

I'm a little surprised you hit almost 50 mph on GPS with the 180 and the 4.3. Do you happen to remember the RPM's at top speed? I'm wondering if the boat was over-propped, and that's why the hole-shot was bad and you got that much top end. The FW bottom is very stable and smooth with minimal bow-rise, but slow on top end.

Happen to remember the tach reading?

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Previous Four Winns: 2003 Freedom 180, 150 Johnson XL, purchased new July 2005, sold Sept. 07
Current Four Winns: 2002 Horizon 170, 115 Yamaha V4, purchased May 2010 from family friend.

My H190 does 50mph by the GPS @4600 rpm. Stock prop from the factory. No problem getting up multiple skiiers or huge tubes with 4 teenagers on it.

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Alec

2006 Horizon 190
VP 4.3GL/SX, Sunsport

Hey guys, I'm the original poster for this thread and I'm back to tell my story.

Well, As the thread illustrates, I did not buy that H180 over the summer. Instead I went for a slightly used Seadoo Challenger 180 215hp jet boat with wake tower. To make a long story short, the Seadoo is getting picked up today by its new owner. I should have bought the Four Winns to start!!

The Jet boat has its cool aspects but I just couldn't get past the repair after repair(although everything was covered under warranty with the exception of wear rings). Each time it went in for repair it was at the shop for three weeks. After the third or forth time I had enough. The jet boats also are like an ON-OFF setting. They either like to idle or they like screaming full throttle and the in-between is small. When cruising I also felt the engine was very loud. So much so they you could not hold a simple conversation or hear the radio. The good news? Sold it for what I paid(aside for some upgrades).

So.......I'm back looking for another prop boat. I have my eye on a used 2007 H180 4.3 carb for $12,900. Of course my original concern about the fate of Four Winns is still a worry of mine although this 2007 will probably not come with any warranty left. I guess in this case my biggest worry is what will it be worth if the Four Winns brand never returns.

Here's the new prospective vessel:










Any thoughts?

Craig

It looks very nice. Price is good too. Buy it, and don't look back. The nay-sayers who preach the doom and gloom attitude of brands that are or have been in a bankruptcy, are not boaters, they are just people who own boats. there is a difference.
There are dozens of brands of boats that are no longer made, the companies have long since gone, but their boats still live on today, and are still being enjoyed. Four Winns will live on and prosper for many many years. Your local dealer is your best choice for any warranty support you might need, if you have a good one, things will be taken care of. You will never regret buying a Four Winns boat, today, or in the future.

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One of 4 Previous (Sold) Boats:
2000 Four Winns 268 Vista

Current Boat: 2004 Chaparral 235 ssi cuddy

+1, I'm a bit more guarded about the future of the company, but as you say the only warranty that could be left at this point is the power train warranty. That boat appears to be well cared for and a good buy - the kind of boat you can buy and enjoy for a long time. You won't go wrong with the Volvo drive system; just be sure you have the right anodes on it.

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Mike
2005 Four Winns 230/240
VP 5.7GXi/DP
1998 F-150 XLT
Boat Pic

It's hard to say what's going to happen after the Gemmar bankruptcy but based on the fact that the company has a good reputation and pretty loyal customer base esp in the Midwest they will probably do all right...My main criticism...which may be addressed by the requirement for all I/Os to come with cat converters (adding close to 3 grand to the price of the engine package) is that there are no outboards on the smaller bowriders and that limits their sales in any coastal region...Once someone has had an I/O here for any length of time they soon realize that they are just too much work in a salt water region and if you are not vigilent about maintaining it, you'll regret it. So once the price of I/O engine packages (FI+Cats) comes close to the price of an OB we may see more OBs on smaller bowriders where they make perferct sense...lighter weight by at least 400 lbs...more room in the boat...less maintenance...easier winterizing...etc...

FW went through this before with OMC in 2000 and this time at least the engine warrantees are not affected...so I'd enjoy the boat...and not worry...
As for me since no OBs I'll have to look elsewhere....

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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, I looked at the 2007 H180 pictured above. Overall the boat appears to be in good condition. No significant gouges or gel-coat issues other than a little oxidation that my Buff Magic will restore in no time. The engine appears like new. I asked what they estimate the hours to be and the Salesmen says this is a consignment boat and since there is no hour meter they can only estimate. He said based on the typical Florida usage of 50 hour/season he guessed at 130-ish hours. I cant see how because the engine looked new. In fact, the serpentine belt had no wear or markings on the pulleys. The bilge was spotless. No way this boat has more than 10 or 20 hours!!! Nothing looks worn other than the oxidation on the gelcoat and the gatorhyde on the trailer has weathered through in a couple of area. The Florida Sun is brutal for those unfamiliar with it.

The vinyl, carpeting, covers and bimini look perfect. I left the dealer undecided and wanted to think about it.

After considering the overall condition, features(namely the 4.3 engine), I decided to make an offer. I don't know if they will consider it but I'm thinking that since we're still in the heart of winter and its actually been really cold here in Florida, the fact that there is uncertainty as to the future of Four Winns, now is my best chance to try and nab a deal. I offered $10,500 cash. I'll let you know how/if the respond.

Craig

What fact is that? Please explain.

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One of 4 Previous (Sold) Boats:
2000 Four Winns 268 Vista

Current Boat: 2004 Chaparral 235 ssi cuddy

Per this Four Winns dealer...His own words....." There are no guarantees that Platinum will honor any future warranty claims that were set out during the Bankruptcy proceedings" In other words, while the Bankruptcy court provided current customers to be supported, now that Four Winns has been sold, Platinum is not "Required" to follow this tact. This dealer is not saying they wont...he's just saying there are no guarantees. Basically, no one can say with 100% assurance that it will be business as usual. It may but who really knows?

Craig

Dude, if you can't accept that a rational person would consider a recent bankruptcy from a corporation that they intend to make a large purchase such as a boat, you've lost significant credibility in my eyes.

I have done many Ironman races. I have spent way too times viewing/posting on forums on the latest bike widget to shave weight and go faster. Some of the equipment for bicycles make boats look like maintenance free. I have rims on my bicycles that cost more than the rims and tires of my car and truck. On those forums many of the posters who work in the industry have a disclaimer in their signature lines stating they "work for a bicycle manufacturer, work for retail bicycle shop, etc." Perhaps you should consider the same.

Bottomline is until a formal announcement is made regarding warranty work, the lay public does not have the information available to them today, to be certain that the Genmar warranty is of any further value. Would that stop someone from buying a boat because they want a couple of "worry free years", then yes it matters.

If the deal is completed this week, maybe Platinum equity will announce to the public and dealers on how prior warranties will be handled.

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2003 Four Winns Horizon 220 5.0 GXi/SX

I think people are crazy to think that Four Winns will stop supporting their warranty's on current boats.

1) Because they have a brand to maintain. That would kill brand respectibility and credibility.

2) It just isn't happening. I'm getting warranty support today. Let experience count for more than opinion please.

3) There has been absolutely zero indication otherwise with the exception of a few debbie-downers on this forum and a stupid salesman. OH - the Sea Ray dealer will probably tell you the factory is boarded up and there's no more boats being built.

Keep reality in perspective folks. Sure, there is a RISK that Platinum will tell Four Winns owners to pound sand. But seriously -- do we really think that's going to happen? Remember, Four Winns has continued to be profitable as a division. Why would they change anything? Four Winns wasn't losing money, some of the other Genmar divisions were.

Back to the boat purchase... Great boat, great power package... no known design flaws... Warranty support shouldn't be an issue. Buy it.

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2008 318 Vista -SOLD, but I am still around!
All Night Long, Seattle WA