www.iFourWinns.com

I have had my boat for 4 summers now, I took it in to the shop this spring and had them go through the lower unit and check alignment and change the impeller. Everything looked great , the old impeller looked almost brand new, had a little wear but very little at all. I was surprised, Heck the new one should be good for anouther 3 years. I only average 25 - 30 hours on the boat each summer, we do alot of floating and sippin on beers..

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1997 Horizon RS 180
5.7 GL Volvo Penta /SX drive. (1.60)
2018 Ford F-150 super crew 4x4

Its not just the impeller that shows wear but the wear plate itself. If that gets grooved the impeller won't pull in as much water even if the rubber part looks brand new.

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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

ahhh, good to know, I called the mechanic and he said the plate looked fine.. Once again Lou I learned something new, Thanks bud.

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1997 Horizon RS 180
5.7 GL Volvo Penta /SX drive. (1.60)
2018 Ford F-150 super crew 4x4

You're welcome.
The thing that wears these is if you're in shallow water with a sandy bottom. My mooring spot was just like that the past few years and I avoided taking the boat out at low tide for that reason. One time I got stuck on a sand bar and had to power off. The engine started running hotter so we pulled the impeller and found it looked new still but the wear plate was scored (concentric rings on it). If you are in deep water muddy bottom they last much longer.

Last fall they dredged the harbor and now its 6-7 feet deep at low tide which is great. 13-15 feet deep at high tide. Best I ever had.

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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

We run in two lakes, Alum Creek and Lake Erie.. both are deep and muddy bottom, (10-30' deep) So were good there.

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1997 Horizon RS 180
5.7 GL Volvo Penta /SX drive. (1.60)
2018 Ford F-150 super crew 4x4

OK here's another tip if you want your impeller to last. When you first start it up after winter storage, the hose from the lower unit to the impeller housing is dry inside (unless you fill it with -100 AF like I do when winterizing). So the impeller runs dry till the water gets up there from the lower unit, which is a fair distance up hill. This affects Volvos and Bravos mostly, Alphas and Cobras have the pump in the lower unit pushing the water forward
So I do this (even tho I have a Cobra and fill the hose with AF):
Put the muffs on the lower unit. Disconnect the hose that comes up from the transom to the impeller housing. Fill that will water, then re-connect the hose. The muffs will keep it from leaking out. Then turn on the water hose. This will prime your impeller like in a second and reduces wear from dry starts.

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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

How much of a risk is it to rev your engine on the muffs in relation to water pressure/ flow?

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

Depends on what you mean by revving. If its only 1500 rpm no worries, but above that, I don't think the water hose can deliver the volume of water that the engine will need.

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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

I found it interesting how high your tide is compared to South-East Florida. Our tidal change is 3.5 ft at full moon. I was guessing it is the shape of Long Island Sound that does it.
I looked up this website about the topic: http://oceanservice.noaa.gov/education/kits/tides/tides08_othereffects.html
Wow. That's about a 50 ft Tidal Change in the Bay of Fundy Nova Scotia
The natural tidal change without shoreline influence, or wind, is about 3 ft. (such as seen by remote islands)

Sorry...off topic, but interesting.

Ray

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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

That is insane, I couldnt even imagine that much of a tidal change.. Were in Naples quite often and they average around 3' tidal change.

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1997 Horizon RS 180
5.7 GL Volvo Penta /SX drive. (1.60)
2018 Ford F-150 super crew 4x4

Naples Florida or Naples Italy? I've been wanting to do some boating around Naples Florida...haven't done that yet.

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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

I think the dry start thing is key to remember. If your going to reuse an impeller from last year, lube it, or at least get it wet before starting. If you kept your boat in the garage and never winterized, probably a non-issue. I've had one tear apart after 1.5 years, but I did not relube it the second season... big mistake.

Also, order your impeller from someone who is selling fresh stock if you can. If they sit around in a hot warehouse for years before you buy them that will probably reduce the life as well before you even put it in the boat.

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2007 FW Horizon 200 5.0GXi/SX-A

good point to remember. thanks.



Ray, Naples Florida.. My inlaws live there, we're there a few times a year. If you get over there go into the Naples dock area, very nice canal and homes in there, you can dock a the naples dock and go have lunch at the Dock. its a great place for beer and lunch or dinner.. We load up on the middle neck raw oysters.. Tasty , Tasty. There are a couple huge yachts that dock right there . ya cant miss it.. You can actually go farther down and visit "Tin City" its like a hut full of shopping and a couple bars also. Were looking to move over to this area in the next few years.

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1997 Horizon RS 180
5.7 GL Volvo Penta /SX drive. (1.60)
2018 Ford F-150 super crew 4x4

Next time your going to be down there, feel free to send me a PM. Maybe I'll be able to bring the boat over. It's about a a 3.5 hour trip on the trailer for me.

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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

I winter in Cape Coral, Fl.
They show Naples water front every evening on the news.
I am only about 1 hour North, but certainly want to take my boat down there this year.

Last year I just had the 13' Whaler, so this year I'll be more inclined

Our tides in SWFL is +/- 1 foot. Most of the time +/- 0.6-0.8'

I remember being in Northern Maine and the tide was 12-15'. That's a real eye opener.

Doug

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2003 Four Winns 170 Freedom Cincinnati, Ohio / Cape Coral, Florida