www.iFourWinns.com

Hi there, I purchased a new 2011 H180SS in Aug 2011. The boat had no extended swim platform but I was told that the $1000 dealer option would make the boat run "different" and that I should stay away from it. I have found out since that almost everyone of the 180's NEEDS the ext. swim platform because the platform on the boat is almost useless, too sloped, too small, too small to fish from etc.. I have been searching since for a "deal" on one of these and it's almost impossible. My dealer who I won't slam here first told me that it would be about $2500.00 to buy now, then when I got another price from them it was $3500 and finally this spring (May 2012) we are up to $4500.00 !!!! and they suggested I actually spend that money on trading the boat in on a larger model!!!! Wow that takes some guts! I have searched & searched online & at boat shows and it doesn't seem possible to find one unless its off an existing 180 thats scrap which would be rare. I tried another dealer in Ontario and he said his "cost" was $2400 because it is now considered a part. I know now that they talked me out of it because it would have cost them a small fortune to bring it in. I have offered to buy direct from Four Winns and drive to the Michigan factory to pick it up but they will not sell to anyone except dealers, quite the lock on parts prices! Good luck, I have asked for another quote from Swim Platforms to see if it is worth it. I believe last year they quoted around $1400 plus freight which would be a fortune I'm sure to Ontario.
P.S. on Sunday it quit out on the lake & is at the dealer with some kind of carb problem (of course they talked me out of waiting for the fuel injected model) Happy boating!

Boatless in Honey Harbour

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Knipper88
2011 Four Winns
H180SS Red
Honey Harbour, ON

I've heard of no one being disappointed in a after market setup from swimplatform.com.

Many on here say good things and my cube neighbor at work got one and loved it.

I would look at it as a possible bump to your resale value. You 180 in essence is almost gaining 2ft in sellable length.

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2005 Horizon 210, 5.7L Volvo

...and my $.02 is that they are completely blowing smoke up your rear about the not recommending one on a 180 3.0.

Search your local area for a fiberglass repair place. They should familiar and able to DIFY. (do it for you) Albeit for a price but I think you'll find it worth it.

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2005 Horizon 210, 5.7L Volvo

Knipper88 here again. There are 2 Swim Platform places in Arizona. One is SwimPlatform, the other is Swim-Platform. I believe the 2nd has a flip up model. There is also someone on Kijiji in the Toronto area (519 area code) number selling the SwimPlatform model. I finally beat on my dealer enough to get an OE model ordered for $1400.00 which was a $1000.00 option if ordered with the boat. The prices I was getting were around the $1200 and up mark for aftermarket & make a template etc. Talk to Trevor at the Boat Warehouse in Coldwater. If it really mattered I think you could take the platform off the supports & remove the through bolts on the top to get it in the garage? Good luck

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Knipper88
2011 Four Winns
H180SS Red
Honey Harbour, ON