www.iFourWinns.com

Hi Guys

I’m new to this forum and hoping you can help with a few questions

I’m looking at buying a 2006 Horizon 220 Volvo 5.0GXI 270HP duo prop which has done 270hours. This will be my first boat so if you guys can share your experiences with me it would be a massive help.

I want a boat that i can use for wakeboarding but something that’s big enough to use on the ocean for fishing and diving etc.

So firstly what do you think of the size for river and ocean use, do you think the 5.0 has enough power to pull a wake boarder and produce a good enough wake and what are the advantages/disadvantages of having the duo prop (will this help with the wake etc.) and how will it handle in the ocean?

Secondly what are your views on the number of hours it has done, I’ve heard good things from the Volvo engines and that they can last over 2000 hours if looked after properly. Also what’s the fuel consumption like on the 5.0?

I live in Australia and am concerned with the weight and width of the boat for towing. I have a Nissan Navara with 3 ton towing capacity so if anyone from Australia is reading this do you know if it’s legal to tow this boat with the Navara?

And finally is there anything specific i should watch out for? I will get a mechanical inspection done but has anyone had any problems regarding the engine, hydraulic engine hatch or any other issues.

Sorry if i sound like i don’t know what I’m talking about but that’s because i don’t. Like i said this will be my first boat so I’m learning as i go and trying to do as much research as possible so i will be extremely grateful for any feedback or advice you can provide.

Many thanks

JimmyB

Welcome to the forum! You're in luck, we have a number of very experienced FW Australian friends here, I'm sure they'll be along. FW is a great boat, but IMO no bow rider is a good choice for the ocean unless you're only talking very near shore, and only then with a properly working and well maintained VHF radio. Others might disagree on that point.

Volvo and Mercury both use marinized GM engines that differ only in their implementation of some of the accessories (e.g., water pumps, etc.). The larger difference between the two is in the drive systems. There are some big differences between Merc and Volvo drives but both are outstanding. So when it comes to power trains, smart money is on whichever one will be easiest to get worked on where you are; it's not always one or the other.

From the 220 size on up, I personally would want a 5.7L or more, but the 5.0 might be OK depending on how you will use it. I would say the 220 is pushing the envelope a bit with the 5.0.

The engine hatch lifts are electric, not hydraulic (unless something aftermarket was fitted). Mine have been trouble-free but I don't have nearly that many hours yet. 270 hours is definitely a reasonable number, as usual the key is how the maintenance has been done.

One thing many new boat buyers don't spend enough effort on is the condition of the trailer, especially if it has been in salt water. FW trailers are good when well maintained but not at the same level of quality as their boats unless the original owner spent a lot of time replacing hardware with stainless, etc. If the trailer is just painted (but otherwise untreated) steel and has been used in salt water, be very suspicious of its condition. They rust from the inside.

This is a great forum, keep the questions coming.

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

JimmyB,
Welcome aboard. I bought a first boat 2 years ago which is very similar to the boat you are looking at. Mine is a 2005 210 horizon which is the same boat as your 220. They changed their naming system in 2006. I also have the 5.0 gxi with sx outdrive. I love the boat. It has been perfect for my family and I. I use it for water sports 90% of the time. Wakeboarding, water skiiing, slalom skiing, tubing. We have pulled wakeboarders with 10 people on board, 6 adults (5 in boat, one one end of rope) and 4 kids 10 yrs old and younger. The boat performed perfectly. I am a novice wakeboarder, but to me, the wake size is fine. I'm sure that dedicated wakboard boats throw a more sculpted wake; I guess it depends on how you will use it.

Here is a link from Four Winns' website that gives specifications and performance info on the 220 (among others):
http://www.fourwinns.com/upload/Documen ... s_2006.pdf

Manuals and other documents are available here:
http://www.fourwinns.com/customer-service.aspx
Just follow the links along the right side of the page.

As far as power is concerned, I have had absolutely no problems with the 5.0. I'm not running WOT all the time. 98% of the time I'm under 35 mph, so I'm not concerned about hitting 50. I do plan to change out my stainless 3-blade prop for a 5-blade this spring to give a stronger hole shot and better speed control when towing.

We have loved our 210. Great storage. Great layout for my family. I have gotten tons of compliments on the boat from everyone who has come aboard (even other boaters). It was a great choice for me.

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Seth




2005 210 Horizon
5.0L GXi
"Don't Think Twice"

Hey JimmyB, welcome aboard!
The size for the ocean is fine if you stay close to shore. The issue is that it's an open bow without self bailing decks. You will need to keep a close eye on the weather and bring the bow cover for if the swell kicks up. The bow cover won't help if you stuff the bow but it's better than nothing.

The 5.0 with the DP should be fine for wake boarding. The DP will help out of the hole, two props in the water give more bite. As Mike said the 220 is right on the edge of needing the 5.7, but both engine packages are used in that size. I have the 5.7 with the DP and factory arch and do a lot of wake boarding and love it. The wake is good until you get to advanced level boarding. Then a dedicated wake boat is always best.

The hours are normal for that age boat, but when buying a used boat care and how it was maintained are more important than hours. Fuel consumption depends on use. Watersports use more than just cruising, but boats use fuel for fun so I don't even worry about it.

Your Nissan should be ok for 3ton. I used an 09 pathfinder with the v6 (3ton limit) to tow my boat and it was ok. The boat is around 3500, trailer 1000, fuel-gear-etc 1000=5500. So it really will depend on how much towing you plan on doing. I drag my boat all over so I upgraded to a full size pickup. If you are planing on towing short distance the Nissan should be ok.

The engine hatch is electric as Mike said. The only problem is if your batteries are dead you have to lift it by hand and it's heavy. With any used boat the most important thing is getting an inspection or survey.

Good luck

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2008 H220 Frenzy VP GI/DP
2011 Dodge Ram 1500 Hemi
Previous boat: 1990 Chris Craft 245 limited

I have the H210 so mine is a little smaller and lighter than the model your looking at. The 5.0 duo prop will be plenty of power unless your wanting to speed around at 50 + then you will need more HP. You will be able to cruise at 35 like the rest of us do most of the time and if wanted can hit around 47 MPH, but never want to run long periods at hiiiiiyakkkkka speed.

The duo is great for added responsiveness, easier control and better hole shot....drawback is cost to replace if it breaks. You will have plenty power for water sports.

The hours are fine...a dealer once told me that average boat use is around 30 hrs a year. I agree the bowrider I/o is not the best choice for big water. This model boat is not self bailing...meaning gravity design deck bailing where water runs overboard....that combined with the lower profile opened bow design can get ugly quick...this style boat can take on one hell of a lot a water in rough sees. .....such boats for bigger water will be larger, have either a closed bow or higher sharper profile to disperse water like the off shore fishing rigs.

The horizon model boat or other make bow rider is for use in protected water

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http://i1339.photobucket.com/albums/o71 ... wqm355.jpg


08' H210SS
VP 5.7Gi

I agree totally with this post! I have the 220 SS with the 5.7 and honestly after 35 my beer turns into a milk shake so speed is not a big deal. The hydraulic lifts gave out on mine and they are expensive. My boat has issues when I let it sit too long without using it. Half a tank of gas and the ethanol turns into water from what I have heard. Duo prop is awesome! Helps you dock it like a pro when you get used to it. Slow is good when docking just dumping it in gear with no throttle or just a little gets the job done. I think the 5.0 should be fine. I really love my boat and the only advice I could give you is upgrade your bilge pump before going in the ocean and always I mean always keep your bow cover on board!!! First thing I do if it gets a bit dicey I put my bow cover on immediately. Welcome to the forum Hope the information here helps you as much as it has me. Btw pull the props to make sure they aren't stuck to the spindle or whatever that rotating assembly is called.

Hi Jimmy,

The only issues I encountered with my Horizon on it's American trailer, was it's width.
Dependant on what state you live, you may need an 'oversize' banner on the rear of the boat.
2500mm is the legal width in Victoria and mine was 2480mm!
Wide trailers are a pain in the @ss with some of our narrow lanes.
I ditched the non galvanised FW trailer & bought a full roller Dunbier.

Cheers.

Daz.

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2011 Four Winns H180 SS.
Aussie built Mustang 2800.
SOLD - 1997 Four Winns Horizon RS

I agree that the 5.0 is a bit underpowered but it not something that would make me say NO if I didn't care about that extra HP all that much. The DP will make a big difference on the holeshot for wakeboarding. I wakeboard a lot behind mine and if you put a bunch of weight in the bow it makes a pretty decent wake when you get it trimmed right. Tough thing about a weighted down I/O for wakeboarding is holding the <20MPH speeds that it requires. Pretty tough to do but it can be done.

Your tow vehicle is going to feel inadequate. Mine has a tow rating of 7,200 lbs and it isn't nearly enough. Since I only tow a couple miles round trip between storage and my ramp I don't worry about it. I've made a few trips here and there that were less than an hour one way and that is the maximum distance I'd ever want to go with that tow vehicle.

Only FW-specific "known problem" I've encountered is the gas tank sliding around and pinching off the drain tube for the ski well. Had it repaired under warranty but probably isn't all that easy of a fix if you're DIY'ing it.

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Paul
2007 Four Winns Horizon 220
Mercruiser 350 Mag MPI w/ Bravo III Drive
2004 Ford Explorer Limited (V8-AWD)
Pomme de Terre Lake (Southwest Missouri)

I didn't have a horizon, but did own a boat very similar in size and weight to that. It had a 230 HP Mercruiser in it, and with the High-Five prop, it performed just fine with 4 people in it and my fat ass on the wakeboard. ~42MPH was top speed, and I never really found myself wanting extra power. I agree that you wouldn't want to venture into big waves with a bow rider... I've seen people get in trouble with them on small lakes with big wakes when they weren't driving smart.

Any pics or other detailed info available? I love my H220, but condition/history will play a big part in your overall satisfaction. Good luck!

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2008 H220 Frenzy Edition VP 5.7Gi DP
2013 RAM 1500 Crew Cab 5.7 HEMI Tow Vehicle

Previously -
1993 Baja 180 Islander