www.iFourWinns.com

I am thinking of installing trim tabs on my 180. Of course I have this swim ladder right where the recommended mounting spot is. I am looking at Lenco tabs. They have a limited clearance tab(4" X 12") but the trimming capabiilty would be reduced per Lenco. Has any one mounted the larger tabs inside of the ladder? Does anyone have any pictures of tab mounting on 180s? Feedback for performance after installed? Suggestions?

Thanks!

I saw this volvo QL tab system. Looks far out. Seems like alot of fishing and larger rigs use them with great success. What about a small powerboat like the 180? Clearance for the ladder would be no problemo with these.

http://www.qlboattrim.co.uk/

Anyone can comment?

The volvo tabs would likely be all you need. Until then, just put more weight in the bow.

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2007 Horizon 200
4.3L GXi/ SX 225 HP

I use a 4 blade prop for slow speed planing. I lose a little off the top end, but it's worth it for watersports and general use. I rarely have a need to exceed 45 anyway.

It might be worth a shot to try instead of drilling holes in your hull.

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-Rob.


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

my 2cents:

Agree with Robbo3, I just installed a 4 blade prop, went one pitch down from a 23 to a 21 seems to plane faster, also installed a se 300 fin on the outdrive, seems to give my lift by increasing the surface of the cavatation plate. IMO pretty cheap way of improving the hole shot/planing. Picked up the prop and fin off iboats, the boat's an 01 180 4.3 GL SX 1.79. with a tower. It also has a better turning radius/response by not blowing out in a turn. Was out yesterday in some chop boat rode beautifully, noticed others were bouncing pretty good, felt the boat cut through like butter! I only installed the additions for wakeboarding, if you leave the trim down, it makes for a pretty big wake, if you raise it up to 1/4 to 1/2 then it planes out and lifts fast. FYI: I also purchased a 500lb. ballast bag for the bow, i haven't tried it yet, can't wait....

I'm actually thinking of adding a Mercury high five prop AND the tabs (trying to decide between 19P and 21P). The 23 pitch raptor prop is horrible for planing, and it can't yank my 235lb azz out of the water on a slalom ski either. Can you post pix of your tower?

Thanks,

Jason

Jason
I've never posted a pic yet, i need to read up on "how to post a pic" i heard it has something to do with an external web hosting site. Once i get it figured out should be no problem since i have a pic of the tower on my pc. by the way I've only heard great things about the high 5, if the price was $200 lower, I'd be on it. If you can swing it, i would buy it. I would also go with the 19P. the 5 blades would make up for the drop in pitch.. Yeah the 23P is great for going over 50 mph but lacks for all other applications.....

Rich

You don't think it would drop my top end down too much (the 19P)?. Not that I care about top end much (over 45), but I don't want to be running at too high an rpm all of the time.

If you're not sure do some more research and if possible call/talk to your local prop shop, by adding 2 extra blades and dropping to a 19P your RPMs should be near or close ideal for your boat. the 5 blades will have more surface area than your 3 blade thus decreasing your RPMs, so by going down to a 19P it will counter the larger surface blade area for better planing and RPMs. I know some places let you try out the prop and return if not satisfied. The 21P high 5 prop IMO has too much prop area with too much pitch to make a big difference.

JX,

Here's a link to my pic! it's the best i can do for now!

http://i283.photobucket.com/albums/kk31 ... 080382.jpg

Thanks for the pic. I like the look of that tower the best of what I've seen. Any way you can post some larger ones and maybe closeups of the mounting points? I ask this because I am probably going to get a tower and this is one of the only pics I've seen of a 180 with a tower. What brand/model is that? Did you install it yourself? Can you stand under it without hitting your dome? Thanks again, nice setup!

Thanks for the comments about the tower

I had a local shop (Warlocks), in Sacramento/Rancho Cordova area do the install, in fact I got a great deal on it, around $1200 for tower and install. The tower is polished anodized Alum it's 2.25" in diam. The owner had a falling out with a shady dealership, he repo'd the inventory from the dealer, since the tower was already made I got a great deal since it could fit on the 180.

The mounting points are really good, its right on the middle cleat wood block, and the back mounts has metal backing plates.

That looks awesome. Looks like you have the Four Winns swim platform on the back as well. Hell of a boat for the starting point in the FW lineup.

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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"

Thanks Tackle,

I bought it about a year and half ago, this is what the boat looked like then:
Since then with the assistance of lots of mulah and time

I've added stripes, tower, bimini top, Stereo, amp, sub, speakers. new prop, fin.
It thows a pretty nice wake. Yeah, the swim platform was a deal maker, since the kids and others can just fly off the back. The boat actually feels larger, since it measures over a little over 20' with the platform.

I like the metal bow rail. It is much nicer then the new four winns handles. Very nice boat

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2007 H210
2011 Chevrolet Tahoe LT