www.iFourWinns.com

Ok, I'm sure this situation has been hashed out for some time but I'm getting close to pulling the trigger and would love your opinion. Been watching the board for a few months, I purchased my first boat a 07 180 last fall and love it. Knew when I did the ESP was the way to go and now regretting not doing it over the winter.

My research shows three possible places to purchase one.

http://www.swimplatforms.com (7 weeks out and not sure if they have one for my boat templated yet)

http://www.swim-platform.com (Waiting on quote)

My four winns dealer

The OEM Four Winns product would always be my favorite choice but it's assembled a little different actually fitting over the current platform on the back of the boat (12 inches) This will raise the platform out of the water even more whereas the other two companies would attach the platform below the bumpers on the transom and much closer to the water.

Do you guys have experience with any of this. If my dealer can actually get me one in four weeks time I'm liable to go with that. Then my problem is they want a min. of $320 to install which is a little steep seeing I just purchased the boat and $80 an hour seems high. The other two companies insist and have many referrals that installation for a guy with tools isn't that bad. Any horror or good stories either way? What are you guys paying for the platform and installation.

The quotes I've seen to this point is:

Swimplatforms.com $1100 platform $200 shipping
Dealer $1,050 for platform, $200 shipping, $320 Installation

Any other ideas, anything faster. Would love your thoughts.

_________________
2008 Four Winns 224 Funship 5.0 GXI/DP Black w/ Tower
2007 GMC Crew Cab Short Bed / Bose Ed.
2007 Fourwinns H180 (SOLD)

"There are no stupid questions, only stupid people"

Hey Marc,

My dealer is Boat House there in Topeka. I bet your's is too. Welcome to the board!

I would only say that I know of two locals who have bought the FW platforms and had them added on to their boats (neither of them a 180 however) and they both couldn't be happier. Yes, they're expensive and pricey to get installed, but they're "right" when done. They also come with a very high quality ladder that's installed to hold up for the long haul. Of course, there are other options and they can be very nice also.

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

Thanks a lot. Matt told me they just installed one on a 180 this spring and he's going to let me see it.

I expect your right, looking for speed and money right now and needed to hear that. Where do u go boating in the area.

_________________
2008 Four Winns 224 Funship 5.0 GXI/DP Black w/ Tower
2007 GMC Crew Cab Short Bed / Bose Ed.
2007 Fourwinns H180 (SOLD)

"There are no stupid questions, only stupid people"

Matt's a good guy, I'd buy from him again. We boat at Perry and Table Rock, but are trying to get to Pomme de Terre more this year.

I may try to get mine up there this Friday to be de-winterized (finally).

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

I have the standard ESP on my 245 Sundowner, but the downside for me is access to the outdrive/ props. I can't even see, let alone check/ reach/ clean the props without getting in the water and under the ESP; the water is usually not very warm here! Whereas on my previous 225 without an ESP, with the outdrive tilted up they could be seen/ reached/ cleaned without getting into the water. If the props ever get fouled by a lobster pot line, it'll mean a swim for me, knife in hand ( in what no doubt would be rough water; something I don't look forward to!). It's a shame they did not mould in/ fit an access panel in the centre of the ESP that could be lifted for outdrive/ prop access.

Graham

No lobster pots here in Kansas Graham . But, you make a great point. Do you know of any aftermarket ESP's that are better in that regard?

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

I think you make a valid point Graham, here in Ks we don't do a lot of boating in cold water or rough water, and my boat goes on trailer everytime so it doesn't concern me with this boat but can see a future boat where it would.

Thanks

_________________
2008 Four Winns 224 Funship 5.0 GXI/DP Black w/ Tower
2007 GMC Crew Cab Short Bed / Bose Ed.
2007 Fourwinns H180 (SOLD)

"There are no stupid questions, only stupid people"

I have the same concerns that Graham has with the ESP, bad access to the prop, you'd almost have to pull the boat out to change the props, if your boat is kept in the water it's not so good! In fact one day I had bent up a prop, on the way back to the dock, ran over a lobster pot line (!@#$% had left it within 50 feet of the dock!) With the standard set up I was able to get the line off and change the prop and be on my way in less than 1/2 hr. I don't want anything on my boat that gets in the way of access to mechanical stuff as I do all my own work. When I re-built the boat I made the rear seats easily removable with 4 screws and that makes major maintenance very easy for a sterndrive. Some of the newer ones with 'glass all molded in around the engine must be hated by dealership mechanics!

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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 am very happy with swimplatforms.com very happy. Didnt do the OEM one because it is SO high off the water.

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Thanks for the input, obviously you guys on open water that keep your boat in have different concerns. Where I'm out the boat doesn't really go out if it's not somewhat calm and warm so I have no issues with accessing the prop or lower unit.

On the other hand I am somewhat concerned with TXJole's comment about the platform being high out of the water. My main issue is safety, space, and enjoyment of the extra space on the back of the boat for kids and the tube. Having the smallest of the Four Winns boats we are actually very happy with it's size for now but would love to have a platform to add to the fun. (not to mention the Volvo 4 cyl. engine is actually powerful enough for anything we do and is great on gas)

Does anybody have any experience with http://www.swim-platforms.com out of Phoenix, it's a different company than the other with some other options. They have some pics of Four Winns there but wanted some feedback.

Thanks again

Marc

_________________
2008 Four Winns 224 Funship 5.0 GXI/DP Black w/ Tower
2007 GMC Crew Cab Short Bed / Bose Ed.
2007 Fourwinns H180 (SOLD)

"There are no stupid questions, only stupid people"

This is a response i received in March from one of these companies...

Scott <scott@swimplatforms.com> wrote: Hi Ryan,

Thank you for your time and interest in our platforms.

We have not built a platform for your model boat and do not have your transom specs on file.

We should be able to offer a nice looking Platform package for your boat.

We can send you an email with our template making instructions
that would be best for your specific boat model.

Our Platform packages include, triple step ladders, non skid top surfaces, oval drain ports,
heavy rubber trim molding, stainless steel mounting hardware, and installation guidelines.

All of our platforms are constructed of fiberglass with a gel coat finish.

Our Platforms are designed and shaped with the aft corners narrower than the forward mounting area.
This makes maneuvering around docks and boats easier.

We only build Swim Platforms!
As you may have noticed on our Products page, we strive for great looks,
and functionality. We build quality Platforms, and offer Factory direct pricing.

70% of our platforms are owner installed and some use a local dealer or boat yard.

We offer a one year warranty for workmanship and materials.

Ballpark price for platform package is $ 1095.
Wood shipping crate and packing material is $ 85.
Freight can be quoted once exact size and weight of the platform is known.

We do not require a deposit or down payment when you order.
In fact, we do not charge until we are ready to ship your platform.

We accept MasterCard, Visa and checks.

Our current lead time is about 5 - 6 weeks.

Spring lead times are as long as 8 to 10 weeks as we build each Swim Platform per order.

Due to the additional time needed, to construct a 'new' platform, we do request receiving templates as soon as possible.
This gives us time to review the template, and select one of our 70+ molds, to produce a platform that you'll be happy to own!

Please reply with this quote if you are interested, and we will send you template making instructions.

If you have any questions please feel free to give us a call at 602-431-8225

Thank you for your time and inquiry,
Paul
http://www.swimplatforms.com

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2007 H210
2011 Chevrolet Tahoe LT

Thanks for the info. I received the exact same email only my price was 50 bucks higher on the platform and 15 on the crate. Funny huh.

What did you decide? Are you getting one?

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2008 Four Winns 224 Funship 5.0 GXI/DP Black w/ Tower
2007 GMC Crew Cab Short Bed / Bose Ed.
2007 Fourwinns H180 (SOLD)

"There are no stupid questions, only stupid people"

No I decided not to get one. It is more money for me then it is worth and hopefully in a couple years i will upgrade to a bigger boat. It would be nice to have though. Good luck!

_________________
2007 H210
2011 Chevrolet Tahoe LT

They have a template now. What they dont tell you is the template is very easy to make and if you are off on the template, like I was, they picked up the cost to have it cut and buffed from my installing dealer. I can not say enough about Scott and Paul. We have 6 boats in out little group with Swimplatform.com platforms on them and everyone is top notch. Best money I have spent on this boat, just wish I would have done it sooner. I will say get the Colbalt grip it is WAY better then Four Winns.

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Mike,

Plenty of lobster pots here, many designed it seems to have their algae covered marker buoys to be just under the surface mid-tide in tide rips, so they and their lines are almost impossible to see.

I haven't looked at any aftermarket swim platforms. I'm sure though I've seen other boats like Searays with a factory fitted access hatch in their swim platforms. Each Winter I am sorely tempted to cut a hole in mine, what has prevented me doing it is a concern about the type of aftermarket hatch could be used that was strong enough to stand on, without looking like a complete afterthought/ being a trip hazard. It would somehow almost certainly be best recessed into the ESP, with it's top surface flush with it. The factory could have done that much more easily than I can!

Graham