www.iFourWinns.com

I live in Texas and I am taking the plunge this year. I am new to boating and was wondering what is the average hours per year I should look for on a use boat. The type of boat I will be buying is a runabout/walk through type. I have narrowed it down to a Four Winns, Sea Ray, Rinker.

Thanks

Here is what I have been told...50-60 hours per season is pretty standard for people in our area. I bought our boat in mid-May of 2008. We put on 40.6 hours last year. We spend half of our day tubing and skiing and such. The other half typically tied up to other boats in party cove or elsewhere.

It really depends on what the habits of the previous owner(s) were.

By the way, welcome to the forum, and where in Texas are you?

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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

Wow I live in Wisconsin and have a 2007 with 116 hours on it already. I put on 17 in just four weekends last year after buying it. Previous owner ut on the other 99 in just one season before he got it repoed!

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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)

I've heard 40 hours per season in the upper Mid-West. That's about where I'm at, 07H200SS appears to be the exception to the rule. I wouldn't worry about extra hours as long as there's proof of proper maintenance.

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2007 Horizon 200
4.3L GXi/ SX 225 HP

Texas is usually 50 hours per year average. End of March through mid November seasons. I guess you could find the boater who does 300 hours a year - he's the tan guy who is always smiling.

he wouldn't have been smiling last summer after filling up

I suppose it all depends on how the boat was used, regardless of location. I've had days using all of 20 minutes run time for the entire day, or 4-6 hours on others. For us, typical is somewhere in between for 2-4 times a week, although season is shorter here.

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-Rob.


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

I think anything under a 100 hours a year is simply not boating enough! I was 100+ the first season then about 100 for each of the next 2.

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Former owner of:
1996 Four Winns Horizon 200 5.8L VP
2006 Four Winns Horizon 260 8.1L VP
2007 Sea Ray 290 Sundancer

Current boat
2004 Sea Ray 290 Sun Sport Twin 350 Mags

Before we had our child...we weer about a 50 hour a summer family. But a lot more time spent just anchored or at the beach. So even though the engine was not running we still enjoyed the boat very often. More anchoring now that we have a child and 2 on the way in 5 weeks .

Once the kids get into tubing/skiing/wake boarding...I am sure 50 hours will be passed easily.

My dad puts 200+ hours a summer...but he spends the summers cruising the Great Lakes.

Last year our 1st yr W/this boat here in Pa 34hr. I might get out earlier this season to take my neighbor fishing cause the Mrs said she's not going till memorial day (we'll see about that)

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2008 H190 Blue W/Red accents 4.3L Merc
2015 Tacoma Access Cab Super White 4x4 TRD Sport
2014 HD FXDC Black Stage 1 Mods V&H Bolt Ons,Naked VO2 AC & FP3.
2011 Polaris 500HO RED]
Life Long Boston Bruin Fan 2011 Stanley Cup Champs!!
#736

Some people work for a living you know??? Haha!!!

In all seriousness, it depends on a lot of things. If it was owned by somebody that was heavy into watersports, that means a lot more hours. If you are into hanging out like we do...less hours. I drive across the lake and drop anchor. Pretty simple.

If I didnt have to work on Saturdays, my boat would have more hours too.

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

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

Well that makes perfect sense.

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H210SS 6.2
F150 Platinum

Yeah doesn't it. I would have a lot of time out on the lake as well if I didn't work.

_________________
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)

Braggers. I got a smoking 14 hours on mine last season, and that was partly tolerating being rained on out of spite. What a crappy season it was.

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2008 Four Winns 210 5.7 GI/SX
2007 GMC Sierra 2500 Crew
1966 Fed-Up Wife

You got 14?

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

I personally purchased a pocket cruiser with a generator (to power my laptop) so that I could make a valiant attempt to approach the number of hours on the water spent by the Cincy Aquaholic. I don't know what others habits on this board are, but I'm confident that no one gets more bang for their buck out of a boat.......and we live in OHIO!!!!!

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2006 Vista 258
2007 Yukon Denali