www.iFourWinns.com

I have been getting a few more hours in my 230 with the VP Duoprop and I am really impressed by the hookup and acceleration. My last boat was a heavy Grady white with a single 250 Yamaha outboard, and by comparison the duoprop really grabs the water in a good and not so good way. I like the acceleration from 30 MPH to 40+ she really go's, it is amazing how much headroom the boat has beyond my 3K RPM typical cruising speed, and the V8 sound she makes at WOT is sweet!!

On the whiny complaint side, I don't like the fact that idling around the marina, the boat won't go slow, the duoprops seem to push too much water so her slowest idle is faster than I would like.

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2005 Horizon 230 5.7 GI/DP 280-HP
2005 Suburban "The Battlewagon"

Which prop set do you have? The original set was F5's.

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

Duoprops definitely have a much faster idle speed - takes some getting used to. The advantages are many though.

Bluesman, I just bought the same boat as you but with the SX drive. I am disappointed in a couple areas which the duoprop might excel in. Low speed control (Docking) is poor. I can't really get the boat to spin or turn quickly. It was very windy yesterday and the boat would not spin in to the wind like my old 19' cuddy. Reaction time is just slow. The other is planing speed. I really wish I could go SLOWER and still remain on plane. It was pretty rough yesterday and I wish I had the capability of going a little slower than the planing speed.

I am thinking trim tabs may help...

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2004 230 Horizon
5.7GI/SX
Towed by a 2000 Expedition

Those are precisely 2 of the main handful of benefits a duoprop will provide. Manuevering at slow speed is often just like a car, particularly in reverse.

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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

I belive my props are stock Mike.

Yes I will say it maneuvers like it has wheels on the ground, haven't had a chance to try spinning her yet, but I will the next time I play around at the dock. She seems to back around nicely and very precise, just idles a bit too fast.

Ya, the boat seems to need to be doing around 20 or 25 to get on plane with even light chop, how about yours?

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2005 Horizon 230 5.7 GI/DP 280-HP
2005 Suburban "The Battlewagon"

Our old 240 had a SX drive and I felt same way…….. I had installed a pair of Trim Tabs which made a huge difference in lower speed control and planing. FW does not offer trim tabs option for 240 so I had to install myself (Bennett Trim Tabs)…. I always wonder why FW does not offer them for 240 as an option but they offer for 260….

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

Mine seems to be similar 20+ to hold plane. Overall I am very satisfied with the performance I just wish docking speed reactions were better. I am a very confident boat docker and with a 25MPH cross wind I could not get the boat to turn without really giving it some throttle. I can live with it though.

Flying sushi, Do you think the tabs were worth it? I seemed to settle on 3200-3500RPM to cruise and wish I could get the bow down a little more for some wakes. Also I would even like to cruise at 2800 but it falls of plane easier....The ability to keep the boat level might be worth it alone.

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2004 230 Horizon
5.7GI/SX
Towed by a 2000 Expedition

Bluesman,
My 230 has the same dock manners as everyone has said but i can hold on plane at about 19 to 22mph. I have F6 stainless props i dont know if this has anything to do with this or not. Also i have trim tab switches on the dash but do not have tabs. so it must have been a option in 2000'. Does anyone know what is stock props for a 2000 230 with a VP DP 5.7GSI 280hp. At wot i'm running 4900 at 53mph on a gps with perfect conditions and 1/2 fuel.
Thanks DREW

I'm not positive, but I'd be willing to bet the originals were F5's then as well. Which would be enough of a difference to get your WOT RPM's up to the 5,000, which is the spec.

The 230/240 has always seemed to me to be right on the line between needing F5's and F6's.

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

A set of Bennett Trim Tabs would run around $600…. It will not be worth if you have a DP but I feel they are worth it if you have a SX drive on 240..... They would no doughty help you in hole shot as well as maintain lower planing speed. You can bring nose down when you tow skier or wakeboard easier as well. Also you can adjust accordingly to your load if boat is listing to one side. I also recommend experimenting other props including 4 blades.... Ultimately you could change the bottom of your lower unit to DP but it will cost you too much to make the investment worth it.

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

Like I said I am pretty happy with the overall performance so I don't think the $2-$3K cost to swap the lower unit is worth it. I might try a set of tabs next year though. i like the ide of correcting a list under way too...

I'll still keep an eye on ebay for a Duo lower unit though.....

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2004 230 Horizon
5.7GI/SX
Towed by a 2000 Expedition

For those of you running F5 props has anyone ever used the F6's What is the difference just a little more top end? My boat pops on plane nicely even pulling tubes or skiers. The only problem i have is when there are more than six people in the boat and everybody sits in the back! Does anyone think i should try F5's? I might be able to get my hands on a set i could use for a test run. What do you guys think???? Thanks DREW

If you have access to a set, try them. Just make sure you can still make your specified RPM's at WOT.

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