www.iFourWinns.com

Good Morning...I have been looking to move up from small very old runabout on a small lake to a "family" friendly boat that can venture to some larger lakes for family fun. Water sports, cruising, maybe a little fishing...just general uses. I have been shopping new boats (Bayliner, Chaparral as well as Four Winns) to begin learning what the differences are and determine new prices...and following Craigslist to see what is available used.

While I am early in the process I came across a "brokered" boat at a local marina (was looking at their dry rack storage which is another topic. Seemed like a good "entry" Four Winns at what appears to be a good price. Have not seen in person but in pictures.

It is a 2007 Four Winns 17.5' with a "3.0 GLP-Volvo. Looks quite clean in the pictures and the marina says very clean/stored indoors. Includes skis and bow and cockpit covers...not sure what options may have been purchased when ordered. Price was "just reduced" from $13,345 to $10,995.

My Four Winns knowledge comes form study of web site and catalog as well as a couple of lengthy phone discussions with a dealer in Wisconsin...very good discussions. If I purchased new I would lean toward the 18OB with a 150HP which would likely push toward $30K with options and the 150HP.

My question is what should I know about a 2007 17.5' 3.0 GLP-Volvo...that current owners and members here are aware of?? Also, comments on the price...assuming it looks as clean in person as online...and that I can somehow get the engine checked out???

My thought is if it were a good boat and a good value it may be a decent entry to the open bow family style boat...and would not be too difficult to get most money back in a year or two and trade up to a new (or near new) 18' or more likely 19' after I have become acclimated to the active boating world and the I/O world (would help me confirm if I prefer the I/O or want the OB version.

Hope this is an acceptable first post. I have been reading nearly all the Horizon posts here...and especially enjoyed the discussions on the Horizons...including the 18OB...Thanks in advance...Tom R

BTW...is a 2007 17.5' a Horizon?...or what was the model titles back in 2007?

Here is a link http://www.rbyi.com/07-four-winns.htm

I don't know how small your old runabout was, but a 17.5' boat is considered small in itself. I have boated on several lakes in Minnesota, and some of them are not friendly to such small bowriders. If you have a very small family, the 2007 H180 you are considering is just big enough for 4 comfortably. If you are stuck on this entry level, smallest bowrider in FW lineup boat, I would prefer the O/B H180. Even at nearly triple the price of the 2007 H180. If it were me, and I wanted to take full advantage of all the lakes, I would be looking at 20' to 21' boats for more room and better handling/ride in choppy waters.

Good Luck

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2005 H200

Well, one thing is that it is a small boat for a family, and I haven't heard to many great things about the 3.0. If I was you, I would go for the H200 (Horizon 20 footer), just as easy to learn on and will def have enough room for a family.

_________________

1996 205 Sundowner DLX
5.0FL Volvo SX Cobra
Tow Veh: 2012 Nissan Frontier Pro-4X

I don't know how small your old runabout was, but a 17.5' boat is considered small in itself. I have boated on several lakes in Minnesota, and some of them are not friendly to such small bowriders. If you have a very small family, the 2007 H180 you are considering is just big enough for 4 comfortably. If you are stuck on this entry level, smallest bowrider in FW lineup boat, I would prefer the O/B H180. Even at nearly triple the price of the 2007 H180. If it were me, and I wanted to take full advantage of all the lakes, I would be looking at 20' to 21' boats for more room and better handling/ride in choppy waters.

Good Luck[/quote]

A bit embarrassing...but I have a 1961 Starcraft 15' with a 40HP on it. We have a cabin up North on a quite small lake and heave had the Starcraft since mid '70s. I am now too old to pull start and put up with the issues of a boat that old. My "planned" usage find any new boat at our cabin on the major weekends...Memorial Day/4th July/Labor day and maybe a couple of weeks in the summer...but would be available for other lakes the rest of the time. We are in Eden Prairie and are semi-retired so could go out to local lakes during the week when not too busy.

The 17.5 thought would be for my transition and learning if a $30K investment if worthwhile. Maybe a 17.5' would not truly be a good "one year" trial? If I end up going nowhere but our cabin the truth is the 17.5' could be a long-term "keeper" as the lake is quite small.

Thanks for your input...I am already a member of the "more horsepower and longer boat" group Just wondering if this particular boat might provide a transition to learn from...Thanks again...Tom R

Tom R

I don't think you will be real happy with the 3.0

My last boat was a 1999 FW H190 with the 5.0L V-8. Bought it new and kept it for 11 years. We had a family of 5 at the time and usually had friends on the boat
with us most weekends. Had plenty of room and adequate power. You should be able to find something similar in your price range to "test" prior to making a larger investment. Just make sure it's been well maintained. Good luck!

Derek

_________________
"Wake-N-Bake"
'08 H210SS
Merc 377 Mag
Colorado Springs, CO

I had a 3.0 h180

Do not buy it. 4.3 v6 or better only. Trust me.

The h180 is good for 4 people max. A h200 or bigger should be a minimum for a family of 4

_________________
1981 Columbia 8.7
2015 Yamaha FZR - 87mph - sold
2006 Yamaha GP1300R - sold
2003 Chaparral 215 SSI - sold
2009 Stingray 195CS - sold
2000 Four Winns H180 - sold
1976 O'day Daysailer II - sold
Rick's Four Winns H180 Mods/Upgrade Thread

Don't be embarrassed about having a 50 year old boat with a still working 40HP. That has a coolness factor of it's own.

You might be OK with the 3.0L considering the small lake and small family. Might be fine for you. But the majority of the Four Winns Community considers that boat to small and not enough horsepower, so that will hurt you on resale. Many people use these boats for towing tubes, etc, and that engine is pretty doggy for that. If you decide to get it, and hope to move up in a couple years, then make sure the price seams like a steal...otherwise move up to the 4.3L engine.

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"Knot Easy" 2000 Horizon 240 Volvo 5.7GS /SX
tow: 2017 Honda PILOT EXL-AWD
prev. boats:
'87 Chaparral 198CXL 4.3 OMC Cobra
'69 Jetstar 16ft Ski Boat, 115hp Yamaha
'68 Aluminum Jon Boat, 3hp Sears
'64 Water Wings

5 adults in a 3.0 h180 and you won't get on plane unless you drive at 4000 Rpms. Redline is around 35mph with 4-5 ppl. Its horrible.

_________________
1981 Columbia 8.7
2015 Yamaha FZR - 87mph - sold
2006 Yamaha GP1300R - sold
2003 Chaparral 215 SSI - sold
2009 Stingray 195CS - sold
2000 Four Winns H180 - sold
1976 O'day Daysailer II - sold
Rick's Four Winns H180 Mods/Upgrade Thread

I agree with all above comments reference the 3.0 engine and boat length. You will always be wishing you had paid more for extra power and a couple of extra feet.

If you are northerner (my parents are near Detroit Lakes), then you may want to look at entry level boats in Glastron or Larson, which are more popular up there. You could probably get a better price for larger boat with more power if you looked at Glastron.

In fact, we had a Bayliner 185 with a 4.3L MPI for a few years, and it suited our family of four just fine for less than $20K brand new. Only stepped up into the Four Winns H210 after my dual family income could support it. That 4.3L MPI on an 18 footer probably had more acceleration and top speed than the 5.7L has on our 21 footer.

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Scott
2008 Horizon 210 Frenzy Edition
Volvo 5.7L Gi

Hi Tom, and welcome. I grew up with an early '60's 16' Starcraft. That boat is probably still running around on some little lake somewhere, but hopefully the current owner put something more reliable on it than the 75hp Johnson it had then.

One thing you must consider is that those 15-16' old boats could accommodate 6 people with relative comfort because they just had open floors with small seats and few bells & whistles. Now you're looking at boats that have enclosed engine compartments, storage compartments, "fancy" seating arrangements, built-in coolers, sinks, heads, tanning beds, , etc., etc. All that's a lot of what makes the new boats so great. The downside is, the "real" capacity (regardless of what the USCG sticker says) is lower. Today's 20' boat probably has about the same floor space as your Starcraft. And of course, all those accoutrements add weight, and a lot of it. Which means you generally need more HP...

FW is in the process of bringing out a new generation of outboard models which might be a good compromise for you, except that they are just now doing that; they haven't been out long enough for there to be any significant used inventory yet.

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

If I purchased another bow rider it would be minimum 22ft. For just me and my GF.

_________________
1981 Columbia 8.7
2015 Yamaha FZR - 87mph - sold
2006 Yamaha GP1300R - sold
2003 Chaparral 215 SSI - sold
2009 Stingray 195CS - sold
2000 Four Winns H180 - sold
1976 O'day Daysailer II - sold
Rick's Four Winns H180 Mods/Upgrade Thread

I appreciate all the input. I think there is a huge difference between short boat rides on a small lake and an all day outing on a large body of water...not to mention the "chop" issues.

As I "shop" the FW web site I notice it costs little to move from H180 to H190 when you spec the same engine...less than $2,000. But there is a huge jump to move from H190 to H200...again even if you spec the same engine?? Not sure what the big jump is?

Would H190 be "much" better than a 17.5 or 18"? Just curious as to what the 20' has that makes for the big price jump?

Thanks...Tom R

I have an 18ft but with the 4.3 and I have no problem hauling 8. You get some big guys in the back and it takes a bit more to get on plane.

That being said, I would like a 20ft with an OB and if I get a new boat it will be at least that size.

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2010 Sea Hunt Triton 220 "Big Whiskey"
2003 FW Freedom 180 Volvo Penta 4.3GL/SX-M "It'll Do Four Now" (Sold)
2012 Avalanche LTZ 4X4

Curious why you prefer an OB? That is my leaning also...but my knowledge base is nil

More room on the boat. Cheaper/less to maintain. Outboards never break.

_________________
1981 Columbia 8.7
2015 Yamaha FZR - 87mph - sold
2006 Yamaha GP1300R - sold
2003 Chaparral 215 SSI - sold
2009 Stingray 195CS - sold
2000 Four Winns H180 - sold
1976 O'day Daysailer II - sold
Rick's Four Winns H180 Mods/Upgrade Thread