www.iFourWinns.com

I have my 2006 model H190 on a strap type lift, and have found that I can no longer close the walk through windshield. When it is on the lift the overlap is about 3/4", and when it is down the overlap decreases to about half that.

Is there any way to adjust this?

Is the overlap even from top to bottom? CAn you post some pics?

_________________
2007 Horizon 200
4.3L GXi/ SX 225 HP

sounds like the lifting strap has squeezed the hull

_________________
-Bill Kearney, 2005 348 Vista

Certainly one possibility. My thought is that sideways pressure from the straps forced the windshield out of alignment - those mounting screws are known to loosen up even without this kind of pressure.

_________________
2007 Horizon 200
4.3L GXi/ SX 225 HP

I noticed the Starboard side aft screw was almost completely out last weekend. Put it back in W/little 5200 on the 1st couple of threads.

_________________
2008 H190 4.3L Blue W/Red Graphic
2002 Honda CBR954RR BLK/SLVR slightly modded
2003 Yamaha Warrior 350 6spd < SOLD!

Photo are posed to http://www.flickr.com/photos/20159884@N05/ There are 4 photos, two on the lift and two after letting the boat down.

The overlap is as follows:
On lift, 7/8" at top and 1/2" at bottom
Off lift, 3/8" at top and 1/8" at bottom

I can't see any screws holding the windshield on, so I guess they are under the rubber trim at the bottom of the windshield.

Yup, sounds like the lift is applying too much sideways pressure on the windsheild. I suppose that this can be verified by measuring the distance between the gunwhales both off and on lift - if there isn't as much difference in these measures, it's the windsheild. Be nice to see a pic of the boat in the strap lift - I'm thinking that a "spreader bar" (a term I may have just made up) at the top of the strap lift could take some or all of the sideways pressure off of your windsheild. If nothing else, closing the walk thru windsheild prior to lifting would help. Anyway, yes the mounting screws may well be under the rubber strip - call the four winns customer service line to double check before you remove it. Their hours are 9-5 Eastern, and the number is 231 775-1343.

There may well be other options that would prevent any pressure from being applied to the windsheild - maybe placing a spacer (think 2x4 or 4x4) against the hull before the windsheild? Anything that would prevent the straps from touching the windsheild. I'd expect that the lift manufacturer would have heard of this issue before.

_________________
2007 Horizon 200
4.3L GXi/ SX 225 HP

If it's a case of the straps squeezing the hull hard enough that you see misalignment in the windshield, I would think the windshield would be the least of the concerns. What other (more important) structures are being stressed beyond their limits?

_________________


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

See image at http://www.flickr.com/photos/20159884@N05/

The front strap lifts just forward of the base of the windshield. It does not touch the windshield, but it's easy to see that as the strap comes from the keel around the side, it puts a lot of pressure on the rubber rail on the side.

I can think of two ways to keep the pressure off: some sort of cradle similar to where the boat sits on the trailer, or a spreader as suggested above.

Well, how about a better set of pictures? It's hard to tell from that one just where it's lifting along the gunwale. And where does that coincide with the factory sling points?

A spreader wouldn't help as it looks like the sling strap is already vertical. If the strap was pulling inward, then maybe. But you're talking about some SERIOUS tension here, do not cobble up something without talking with the lift manufacturer FIRST. One mistake and something under load could come SHOOTING OUT OF THERE and seriously harm (or even KILL) someone.

My best suggestion would be to call Four Winns and ask them about sling lifts and this model. Then contact the sling supplier.

_________________
-Bill Kearney, 2005 348 Vista

I don't think I can get any better picture, unless I take one from the side.

Good suggestion on contacting Four Winns.

Even though the strap is vertical, there is a lot of pressure at rubber rail.

FW reply to my inquiry about slings:

"We only use slings for lifting our wide body models and this is only
done on a temporary basis when lifting these models onto a transport, or
lifting them into our test pond.

When lifting our sport boat models such as the 190 Horizon we use
straps which run through the bow, and stern eyes. This is also done as a
temporary lift only to either put the boat onto the trailer or drop it
in our test pond.

When storing a boats we would recommend the use of a bunk style lift,
or a storage cradle that supports the hull in a way that supports the
hull stringer system."