06' 260 Horizon

chopjeep · **Posted:** Wed Feb 06, 2013 4:08 pm

Hi to all, I am new to the site. From the St. Louis area and enjoy boating at the Lake of the Ozarks and on the Mississippi river.

I am thinking about buying a 2006 Four Winns 260 Horizon with the 5.7L Volvo and duoprop, 130 hours, on matching trailer, $25k on the money. My friend had a 2003 260 with the 5.7 merc and bravo 3, that we spent a lot of time on. Can I expect the same/similar performance from the volvo power train as we experianced with the Merc package? This will be my forth boat over the years but the largest bow rider I have owned. What are everyones thoughts on the boat (performance) and the deal? I am not concerned about the towing/towability of the boat.

Thanks in advance for your input.

Hodge · **Joined:** Thu Mar 15, 2012 1:43 pm **Posts:** 35

Merc 5.7 and Volvo 5.7 are both Small block chevy engine so the only real difference is in the outdrive. I've not owned a duoprop outdrive, but I've owned both a merc Alpha one and the comparable VP SX(single prop). I prefer the VP personally.

Cap'n Morgan · **Posted:** Thu Feb 07, 2013 10:34 am

chopjeep wrote:

Can I expect the same/similar performance from the volvo power train as we experianced with the Merc package?

Yes.

I have owned a boat equipped with a VP dup prop and a boat with twin Merc duo prop drives. Both brands do the job they are intended for quite well. Preferences boil down to a Chevy truck vs. Ford truck thing.

ric · **Posted:** Thu Feb 07, 2013 11:04 am

I've had a bad time with the new Volvo Penta SX-A drive but it could just be me. Same upper as the duo. 3 year old boat with 200 hours and so far the trim pump went bad and the raw water pickup fitting is a flawed design that will break every few years and is a PITA to fix. The SX-M was always flawless.

pet575 · **Posted:** Thu Feb 07, 2013 1:02 pm

I wouldn't expect to be very comfortable on LOTO if you are on the big end of the lake. Even the 260 ain't big enough for what is going on down there.

230 Mike · **Posted:** Thu Feb 07, 2013 1:31 pm

pet575 wrote:

I wouldn't expect to be very comfortable on LOTO if you are on the big end of the lake. Even the 260 ain't big enough for what is going on down there.

+1.

Otherwise it is a fantastic boat, but in a 260 I'd prefer the big block over the 5.7 (regardless of which lake you're on). The VP DuoProp is a fabulous drive assuming it has been maintained and not abused.

chopjeep · **Posted:** Thu Feb 07, 2013 3:43 pm

I agree that the big block would be highly preferable. That said, the big blocks are the minority on the market. Almost every 260 I have found for sale has the 5.7 in it.

What do you think about the $25k price tag? 2006 boat, 130 hours, with matching trailer. Most of what I am finding is priced in the mid $30's plus.

230 Mike · **Posted:** Thu Feb 07, 2013 4:11 pm

I think the ratio of 5.7's to big blocks on the market, AND the asking price on this boat, reflect the desirability of a big block in a 26' boat. Keep in mind that FW's tend to be some of the heavier hulls on the market in their respective lengths/styles, which help the ride quality, but all that weight needs adequate power to make it move, too.

I'm not saying the 5.7 is a slouch, and the DuoProp is a definite help. Whether you'll be happy with it in the long run will probably depend on your boating style. Some aren't interested in running up and down the lake all day trying to make up for their inadequacies, and are quite happy cruising to a cove and hanging out. If that's your style (it is mine), the 5.7 will be fine. But it's not a coincidence that most of the 260's out there trying to be sold have 5.7's. Some percentage of the owners aren't happy with the power.

Are we talking about a 5.7Gi or a 5.7GXi? (Not that there's much difference, just curious.) Any chance you can do a sea trial?

What kind of shape is the rest of the boat in? How has it been stored? Does the owner have maintenance records? If you'll be using that trailer, how old are the tires? Does it have a spare tire? There are lots of things to consider and each could have an effect on the "right price."

chopjeep · **Posted:** Thu Feb 07, 2013 4:42 pm

The engine is a Gxi. Boat is a 8.5 out of 10, trailer looks perfect and I don't expect to do any work to it, other than adding a spare tire & wheel.
As for the boat, I plan to add a second battery and appropriate cut off switch.

If I do a sea trial, I will have to re-winterize the boat. I plan to have a local shop run compression and dyno test as well as check over the rest of the systems.

I have to admit this boat (the 260) is the wife's first choice but not mine. My first pick was a 1996 Formula 303 SR1 with twin 385hp 454mpi's, I found one that was gorgeous but the owner did not want to come down to a price I was willing to pay. Given that my first choice wasn't going to work out I think we will be going with her first choice, the 260 horizon. I think the 260 is a safer financial choice that will likely be easier to sell in a couple years when we are ready for another upgrade.
The way I figure is - Desireable brand, length, and age combined with an affordable for most families price = fairly easy to resell =

230 Mike · **Posted:** Thu Feb 07, 2013 4:59 pm

Sounds like you're doing all the right things. Happy wife, happy life.

I think that when it comes time to upgrade, you'll find that you'll have to take a bit of a hit for having the 5.7 - for the same reason that the current owner is taking a bit of one. As long as you're happy with those tradeoffs you should be good.

FWIW, I think you're buying into the sweet spot of FW boats. I personally don't care for the styling trend they've been on since the reorganization, and you're getting a low-hour boat without catalytic converters. These are great family boats.

That all said, having to pay for a winterization could be the best money you could spend. I was once ready to sign the papers on a boat until we drove it and discovered a major visibility problem when on the water.

If you add a 2nd battery, be sure to add it on the port side. Having two batteries on the starboard side has caused many of these boats to list. Having both batteries on port is even better.

Xavid · **Posted:** Thu Feb 07, 2013 9:32 pm

I have a 2005 h250 (FW changed from 250 to 260 in 06 I believe, though they are virtually the same in every way). I have the merc 6.1 L v8 with bravo 3 duoprop which delivers 320 hp and plenty of pep and top speed and maneuverability for me. No problems with waterskis or tubing. I guess I'd rather have the big block 8.1l version but I am very happy with what I have. The battery discussion above is a big deal - I agree strongly that if you add a second batt (which I think is very smart) you need to put it on the port side. I am interested if the model you are looking at lists to sb even with one on the SB side. Also, regarding the trailer, check the tires. If they are the original carlisle's get rid of them. Get the new Carlisle trailer tires -they are really good.

I go to the boat show every year and have always left contented that I have the exact boat for me. The newer styles and colors are, to me, less appealing to my tastes.
I bought mine used from the original owner who had kept it in very good condition and very well maintained. It had 160 hours on it when I bought it 3 years ago for over 30 k. I think 25 k is likely a good price, but the condition is obviously paramount.

250H_LOTO · **Posted:** Fri Feb 08, 2013 12:21 pm

I too have a 2005 h250 at the 14MM at the LOTO... I have the 8.1L VP duoprop, I also test drove a 5,7L VP duoprop first (Heartland Marine) before I found my boats particular configuration... I must of test driven a dozen different boats of the same size last June. My personal opinion, keep looking till you find a big block! I waited a couple of months in my search but I feel it was worth it! The smaller engine does just fine with better sipping on the fuel and so-so getup-and-go pulling a tube and a boat-load of kids, but for holeshot/acceleration/ride-ability and resale you'll want the larger engine. I also think the 8.1L engine's heavier weight helps keep the back end "attached" to the bigger water better, just rides a little smoother on plane than the small block... Purely subjective observation on my part thou...

Don't fret about what some here have said questioning the boats ability to handle the water at the lower/middle milemarkers of the LOTO, it does just fine for a boat of its size/weight but the randomness of the waves can be tough on the busier holiday weekends (saturdays @ 2:00pm). But that is true of just about any smaller boat < 30 ft on the lake during those times. The good news is that there is always calmer water a few miles in either direction (Grand Glaize or Gravois arms of the lake or anywhere below the 30MM). For example, I tested the h250 along with a similarly equipped, brand new 27' SeaRay the same Saturday afternoon (same water and wind conditions) and the h250 had less bow spray from the rough water.

Both my batteries are on the starboard side, in addition to my fat ass (225 lbs) and along with the water tank being full on that side, the boat does slightly list to starboard at rest (coving out or awaiting the tubers to give the thumbs-up signal), enough so that I'm considering moving both of the batteries to the port side. As others have said, check out those trailer tires! I bought my setup last summer and the first thing I did was check out the trailer tires, the boat is on a lift now but I wanted to make sure I could haul the boat from Union, MO to LOTO without any problems!

JDW250 · **Posted:** Sun Feb 10, 2013 10:46 am

I can't say enough good things about the H260. I have the predecessor (2005 H250) and my friend has the predecessor to that (2002 H260). We both have the big blocks (8.1L VP DP) and love them. I have no experience with that boat with the small block power plant, so I cannot weigh in on that aspect. I will say that the 8.1L will do everything I need it to, and then some. I've said it before, but it makes me feel like I'm 18 years old again when it pulls me out of the water on a slolum ski.

Both my batteries are starboard. I'm a big guy at 250 lbs. I don't use the water tank. My boat doesn't normally list. I also have trim tabs, but rarely use them. I think the H260 is a good stable platform.

My typical uses sound similar to yours. We weekend on the Mississippi, and take a few trips to LOTO throughout the summer. Granted I do most of my LOTO boating on weekdays, but I'm not afraid to take my H260 anywhere on the lake on the weekends. My boat has been from the Dam to the 66MM, and everywhere in between. Just don't plan to rush getting anywhere on the weekends. If you're looking to run with the powerboats on the weekends, the H260 isn't your boat. That's where you would want that 30' Formula.

As far as Volvo vs. Merc, I've owned both and wouldn't be afraid to go either route. Both are good outdrives in my opinion.

I hope these opinions are useful in your decision.

chopjeep · **Posted:** Sun Feb 10, 2013 11:10 am

Thanks to everyone for your input and opinions, I appreciate the feedback. I have an appointment for an indepth inspection this week, we'll see how that goes.

Can anyone tell me what kind of differences I should expect between a 2003 260 and a 2006 260? My friend had a 03 we spent quite a bit of time on down at LOTO.

Obie · **Posted:** Sun Feb 10, 2013 9:02 pm

I have a 2006 with a 5.7 Gxi 320 hp in my 255 Sundowner. I can hit 45mph and have no meed for more power. If you plan on taking lots of people in the boat and water skiing, then the bigger engine may be useful to get on plane faster. Mine not a quick boat, but fine for cruising.

www.iFourWinns.com

06' 260 Horizon

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