www.iFourWinns.com

Hello all
Looking for a 18 or 19 fourwinns bowrider.1997 up to around 2002
I am concerned about the choice of a v6 or a v8
I think the larger displacement of the v8 over V6 could save gas or use very little more when pulling
How is the v6 when pulling tubes, or wake boards?
Any thoughts from you guys?
Any other pros or cons to watch for when buying a fourwinns?
Thanks
Jeff ( in British Columbia Canada)

My old boat is a 1991 FW 170 Freedom with the 4.3L V6. It was good for pulling a tube or skier. Had plenty of power for doing what ever you wanted to do. I know its older than what you looking for, but it is for sale.
Take a look in the for sale section. There is a link with pictures and info.

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1998 Baja Boss 252 7.4L MPI Bravo 1 (SOLD)
2007 FW H200SS 5.0GXI (Sold)
2004 Chevy Silverado 2500 Crew 6.0L (tow vehicle)
1991 FW 170 Freedom 4.3L (SOLD)

Hi Jeff,

I have no problems with my carb V6 (190hp) pulling up skiiers, wakeboarders or 4 person tube... Tops out at around 50mph. Must admit though, I do prefer the sound of a small block V8...

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Alec

2006 Horizon 190
VP 4.3GL/SX, Sunsport

I just read in another review that 19 foot forwinns had problems with cavitation when pulling people and making turns? has anybody ran into this?

V8

/thread

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H210SS 6.2
F150 Platinum

V4 (Bayliner would do this) = BAD
V6 (pretty standard) = GOOD
V8 (better in every way) = GREAT

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2008 318 Vista -SOLD, but I am still around!
All Night Long, Seattle WA

V8, all the way.

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Current Boat:
2004 Sea Ray 320 Sundancer "Nauti Luvin'"

Previous Boats:
1999 298 Vista "Seas The Day"
2008 H200SS "Nauti Luv"
2006 Tahoe Q4

As big as you can get..... Never feel sorry...

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08 H260 VP 8.1Gi DP.....Previous
2013 Crownline E6 Merc 8.2MAG BIIIX, DTS/SC

Exactly. That's the rule of thumb when buying any boat, everything else being equal. There's no replacement for displacement.

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

18' - the V6 will be fine. I've pulled 5 people on a Super Mable & Big Mable and skiied with a full boat without any issue. I haven't ever wished for more power with our boat. Bigger boat sure...

I don't think you'll save gas either way when pulling.

I think some of the newer 18' models have a 7.5' beam, our '98 has an 8' beam and the extra 6" makes the interior seem a lot larger.

Since it will be a little older, have it checked out to make sure everything is in solid working condition.

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-Rob.


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

Jeff, mine does not cavitiate at all when pulling (at least I never noticed it). Yes, I can get it to cavitate on sharp turns if I really try to, but in normal use this is a non-issue.

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Alec

2006 Horizon 190
VP 4.3GL/SX, Sunsport

Would you buy a 57 Chevy with a V6 in it? I never heard anyone say "damn this boat has too much power"

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Hmmm my 57 has a 350 in it, I always dream of a nice big block in there one day.....

I may be slow, but i think I am getting it

I'll put my two cents in here...
I truly believe that a big motor is not necessary if you are going to keep and use the boat for cruising and the ocassional ski/tube. But it will affect resale value later because everybody wants the "big" motors. Unfortunately, most of us buy boats that are too small for our applications (mostly due to budgets) and end up with "two-foot-itis" after the first season. Let's face it, we spend the most time on our boats in the first season of ownership because it is "new". We also get to second guess our decisions too. The loss on the resale plus the misery of regret lead us to the trade-in or resale debate.... and the process starts again.
We probably could have just bought the boat we wanted for the cost of the aggravavtion/losses/depreciation.
Performance between a V6 and V8 (220 HP is 220 HP) should be minimal in most applications especially these days with EFI and the hopped up valve trains on the V6's. Maybe a bit better pulling power/holeshot, some fuel savings. They make these things all run 45-50 mph with the outdrive gear ratio and prop from the factory. What more do you want?
My original H200 had the 5.0 litre carb (220 HP) and I loved it's performance for our application... We never towed anybody though! The people I sold it to have used it for pretty much the same application as me and are very happy with it too. My first season was 70 hours and $1100 in fuel.
I upgraded late in the season to my H260 with 7.4 litre EFI (kept two boats in storage for the winter $$$) My second season on the water was 30 hours and the $1100 in fuel costs but fuel had risen by atlest 40 cents per litre.

As I read all this I am not too sure what I was really trying to get at.... Buy the boat that suits your perceived application if you think you will be upgrading in the near future then buy the V8 to maximize resale.

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Marc, Kathlin & Nathalie


'89 Chaparral Laser 32

'93 Vista 245, 5.8L w/ King Cobra

Former Boats
'01 H260, 7.4 VP Duoprop
'98 H200, 5.0 GL w/VP SX drive

Right now we have a 16 foot surfer with a 110 evenrude O/B. Its propped right for lots of fast pull out of the hole.
I pull kids on wake boards and tubs for hours each day.
Just need a newer boat with a bowrider seating and a nice wide beem like the four winns.
I like the idea of fuel injection, but so far all the boats Ive looked at are carbed, both V6 and V8