www.iFourWinns.com

Well, it was an absolutely beautiful day in wisconsin and we took the boat out for the first time.

The boat launch is a bit rough w/ no doc.

-The wife and I climbed aboard and my dad backed us into the water then we disconnected and floated off while he parked the truck, then we met himn at a neighbors pier. I remember thed all important install the drain plug, mostly because i checked about 3 times before putting it in the water. So perfect launch.

-Boat ran great, we added about 1.5 hrs to the ticker at various speeds. When you step into the throttle its jumps on plane really nice. A slow take off can have you nose in the air for a while. Boat cuts through other wakes and turns nice and tight - wow what a difference over my last boat a bayliner 1950. The boats is really quick and theat fuel injection makes the motor so responsive. Had the wife drive a bit... its going to take awhile but so far so good. I was worried about bieng rusty at docking against the pier, and i did have to abort first attempt as i was piddling along to slow and inboand wake messed up my line up, but next 4 docks were near picture perfect -whew.

-Loading, with no dock i just lined here up with the trailer an came on board. I throttle her up partially then hoped out and cranked it up the last foot. A near perfect loat, boat seem shifted about a 1/4 in on the trailer, boat sitting nice and solid. And I rememberd to lift the dog gone drive unit - so no scrapes. A
near perfect load.

Pros of boat on first trip:
1) I am glad the guys on this board talked me upto the 270HP Fuel injected 5.0. I am fully comfortable with the power and not concerned at all that i didnt go to anything bigger. My daughter was a bit scared at about 3/4 throttle w/ no trim adjustment
2) Nice room, comfortable, stable but yet meneuverable boat.
3) FUN!!!!

Grumbles on first trip:
1) The bimini in its lowered positon is almost impossible to unlatch, itslike the framework is off, In the upper position in ulatches fine, and latches fine back to the lower position.
2) Cleat access for bumpers. Hard to get to center cleats i ende up hanging the fenders from the side grab handles. I wonder if there is a hanger from the side window.
3) A pain to get into and out of boat when on thr trailer. At home i had an external the ladder, i dont feel comfortable climing the rear swim desk ladder dry. This was only a pains as we were ready ti go and i left my shoes in the boat, then my wallet, the fogot to close the walk through window....
4) Boat seems big, after dealing with the smaller/lighter 1950 bayliner, this thing seem like a real tank to tow and park, but that will get better with time.

AWESOME BOAT!!!!!

_________________
2008 H210:
- Two tone Navy Blue, Silver and Yellow
- 5.0GXi/SX 270hp
2006 Dodge Ram 3500 4x4 5.9 Laramie

It was an awesome day, glad to hear you got out.

Launching without a pier is a royal pain, I can't imagine trying with a new boat the first time.

_________________
-Rob.


Current boat: 2011 Yamaha AR210
Previous boat: 1998 Horizon RX 4.3GL SX

The good and the bad with this lake choice was

Bad no pier, but good - not much traffic at the launch, so i felt alright taking my time to load.

_________________
2008 H210:
- Two tone Navy Blue, Silver and Yellow
- 5.0GXi/SX 270hp
2006 Dodge Ram 3500 4x4 5.9 Laramie

We were on Nagawicka today and it was pretty busy. There was a 4 boat line to get on the water as we were pulling out.

_________________
-Rob.


Current boat: 2011 Yamaha AR210
Previous boat: 1998 Horizon RX 4.3GL SX

Sounds like a great trip. I can't imagine the size difference your experiencing, my 180 is nice and light I could see the additional size being more concern.

On the bimini latches I seem to have the opposite problem. In the lower position I have one that just doesn't latch in at all. Sits there so no real problems but actually put a scratch in the gell coat when it came out once. I have a few issues to talk with my dealer about this week and thats one of them. I'll let you know if it's an adjustment or a new piece thats needed.

We've had ours out three times now and life is great. Spent Sat and today getting the cobwebs blown out. I'm now looking at my calendar trying to figure out what weekends I'm not boating so I can fill them with.............well more boating.

_________________
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"

For fender hangers, take a look at these:

http://www.westmarine.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/producte/10001/-1/10001/3950/377%20710%20830/712/Fenders%20/Primary%20Search/mode%20matchallpartial/0/0?N=377%20710%20830&Ne=712&Ntt=Fenders%20&Ntx=mode%20matchallpartial&page=CategoryDisplayLevel1&isLTokenURL=true&storeNum=455&subdeptNum=456&classNum=456



You can clip these over the windshield frame (for the forward fender), you can also use it upside-down and clip it to the gunwale inner trim panel (for the rear fender).

As for using the swim ladder on the trailer .... don't worry about it. The Four Winns ladders are plenty stout.

_________________
Gordon Arnold
New Hampshire

2003 268 Vista ..................................................................Prior: 97 245 Sundowner

Congrats on the first time out. Do be careful with use of the swim ladder on dry land. We've had two replaced due to breakage at the lowest hinge when our dealer was prepping our boat and doing warranty work. They said they didn't have trouble in the past, but the new boats have a slightly different design. I'll only use ours in the water and we use a lightweight aluminum stepladder for access on the trailer. Works great!

_________________
Brian
2007 Four Winns H200 - VP 5.0L GL/SX
2003 Chevy Avalanche Z66
Canyon Lake, TX