www.iFourWinns.com

I am impatiently waiting for delivery of my new 08 H180 with the 3.0 Merc. I will be using it in Parry Sound Ontario where you can never run out lake or places to explore. I found this forum after I bought the boat and after reading through hundreds of posts, I am more exited than ever. It's quite satisfying to see so many people happy with their boats. I went with an 08 because for the same price as a basic 09, it came with the appearance package, extended swim platform, flip up bolsters, depth sounder, covers, bimini, upgrade wheel etc. I only have cell phone pictures of the thing so I haven't got a decent one to post. The only thing I am having second thoughts about is that I didn't go with the extended engine warranty. It seems that most Ontario dealers ship with Volvos but I have been using and maintaing a bullet proof merc outboard for years and an honest repair shop. Is it worth $1100 for another 5 years of warranty?

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2008 H180

The warranty is good insurance just in case. And if you plan on keeping the boat for 5 or 6 years, it would be worth it IMO.

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One of 4 Previous (Sold) Boats:
2000 Four Winns 268 Vista

Current Boat: 2004 Chaparral 235 ssi cuddy

Congrats on the purchase.... Your gonna love the boat! It's gonna be a hoot in around the islands.

I didn't get the warranty, but it would be good piece of mind for the sake of $1100. To be honest, we were only looking for a used boat at the time when we bought ours, so after talking my wife into spending double the amount we were going to spend, I wasn't going to push it for any more.....

As Cap'n said, it would be good peace of mind.

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2009 H180 w/3.0 Merc
Homebuilt Minimax Hydro
2011 Zodiac Cadet 310

I never went with the extended warranty either. Love the boat and never had any issues with the Mercruiser motor. The way I look at it, I will be doing all the work myself anyways and alot would need to go wrong to cost $1100 during what would be the warranty period.

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Rob
2007 Four Winns 180 Horizon

I had the Volvo and I negotiated the extended warranty into the purchase price. Overall, I think it's worth it, especially if you're going to keep the boat for 3-5 years. If you get the itch to go bigger before then (and as you've seen on here, you will), it's also a nice add on to help the boat sell faster.

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2006 Vista 258
2007 Yukon Denali

Hey Pete's Sake
Congrats on the new 180,it’s nice to see another in Ontario. If Merc is the same as Volvo I think you have some time to decided whether to purchase the warranty. I still haven’t decided I have been pricing it, and I am leaning towards the purchase. I think that it is a good insurance policy. But with any insurance policy I hope to never need to make a claim.

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Andrew
07 H180
2000 Buell X-1
Stouffville Ontario
Canada

Thanks all for your input. The dealer says I have a year to decide on the warranty so I'll probably go for it if I think about it long enough. I plan on keeping the boat for a long time as it was difficult enough to convince my wife to buy this one. I will do most of the maintenance myself as the time it takes to bring the boat to the dealer and back is more than it takes to do the service. I guess I'll bring it to the dealer for the 20 hour service as I was reading that the alignment of the engine to the drive is critical to the health of the coupler. I am kind of worried that if I do the servicing myself, I might have troubles with the warranty a few years down the road.

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2008 H180

Congratulations and welcome. Where did you buy your boat from?

Jeff

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2009 H180 3.0 Volvo Penta

Thanks Jeff,

I got the boat from Huntsville Marine. They are taking me for the water test / orientation on Fairy lake and they will then deliver the boat to my cottage in Parry Sound. I have been touring around the islands for the last few years with 15.5' Peterborough and it can be a wild ride when the wind picks up in the afternoons. Needless to say, I can hardly wait for the new boat; I almost feel like a kid waiting for Christmas. I'm going away on vacation in the middle of May so I have to wait until May 30th. I see from your posts that you bought at the boat show so you're counting the days like I am. I went to the boat show as well and after that I was more convinced than ever that Four Winns was what I wanted. It just took me two more months to convince my wife.

Peter

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2008 H180

Hi Peter,

I purchased a 2008 H180 last year. I also boat in Parry Sound on Georgian Bay. I am very happy with the boat but decided not to get the extended warranty. I was quoted $1640 for the extension. I may have been more interested if it was the price you were quoted. Hope this helps.

Sam
H180

I just got the warranty extension paperwork from Merc in the mail today. I'm still within the first year of ownership. They want $1995 for 5 more years of warranty coverage.

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06' 240 Horizon
Mercruiser 350 mag Bravo III

Hey Pete's Sake just curious as to where in Parry Sound you float your boat? I too am in Parry Sound and like you I have yet to launch my boat......I'm picking it up on the 25th of April. I did go with the extended warranty......just for peace of mind.

Lee

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2006 F150 FX4
2008 H210 SS
5.7 GXI SX
Compass
Ratchet cover
Bow and cockpit covers
Bow cushions
Q&Q

Hello Lee,

My cottage is on a smaller inland lake about 10 minutes from the boat ramp at the Town beach. It's a great place to launch and never really busy. We usually head south through the channel and on to Henry's or around the Massasauga park. There are lots of beautiful secluded spots to anchor, picnic and swim for the afternoon. I tried going north a few times but the open water was too choppy for my old 15.5 ' Peterborugh. This year I'll be headed south for 12 mile bay and north around Kilbear park and beyond. The odd time I launch at Rosseau and head south west to get into lake Joe but I prefer the islands in Georgian Bay as they just go on forever. The breathtaking views and the crystal clear water doesn't hurt either. Are you from Parry sound or do you cottage there like me?

Peter

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2008 H180

Hi Pete we are just east of Parry Sound near Mckeller, LAKE MANITOUWABING. Its about 15 min in on Bowes rd.

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2006 F150 FX4
2008 H210 SS
5.7 GXI SX
Compass
Ratchet cover
Bow and cockpit covers
Bow cushions
Q&Q

Hi Lee,

I see you are from Burlington. I live in Burlington as well and cottage on Georgian Bay in Parry Sound.

Sam
2008 H180