www.iFourWinns.com

We are trying to stay under 20K for a boat and really like the FW. We saw a brand new H180 with all the features we would like in a boat. We will be using it on a lake in Pennsylvania. I see us as people that will be taking short cruises around the on weekends but not all day boaters. I would imagine that four people would be the average number in the boat - my whole family is 5 adults. While I could see us tubing now and then neither of us are interested in skiing.

Some feedback says the boat is too small and we will not enjoy the ride on a busy lake and also that the engine is under powered? I love the boat and the price is great. I hope to keep the boat for a long time and need to make a good decision. I would love to hear some opinions especially from people who have spent time in a 180.

For some other pricing options... check with Ryan @ Winnisquam marine. http://www.winnisquammarine.com

Have him price you out or see what he has in inventory - they keep lots of boats in inventory, have great service & pricing, and aren't too far from you up in New Hampshire.

The H180 is a solid boat. So is the 190, 200,210, and 220. Just have to find out which one is best for you!

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

I might be bias, but I prefer at least the H200 for the extra room and features such as built in cooler storage and storage period for that matter. Take a look at least at a 200 and notice the defferance. Also shop around. I picked up my H200SS for only $22,000.00. So for an extra 2K or so you can find a much nicer boat IMO. My buddy has a H180 and likes mine much more. Of course his uses less gas, but oh well.

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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,

My wife and I bought a used ('98) 180 last summer with the VP 3.0. We use the boat on the lower CT River. The boat will not blow your socks off, but has decent power. I have had 8 people on my boat (4 adults and 4 kids all under the ager of and had no problem getting up to crusiing speed. Considering most bodies of water these days have a speed limit, usually between 35-45mph, the 3.0 seems quite adequate. And, the gas usage is quite good.

As far as ride goes...The deep vee is great. The lower CT river can get quite busy on weekends with boats upwards of 50' kicking up serious wake. I was surprised at how well this boat handles waves/wake.

All in all, very happy with the 180. Great family boat, easy to trailer and launch. Oh, and quite good looking -even at 11 yrs old!

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1998 Horizon RX
Haddam, CT

We have the 2007 version of that boat with 3.0 Volvo power unit, and we are quite happy with it. With 4 or 5 adults in it, it has no problem getting on plane, and will cruise comfortably at about 25mph @3500 rpm. With this load it will still hit nearly 40mph on the GPS as well. No rocket by any means, but a nice leisurely cruise speed. No problems pulling people around on the tube or skiers either.

Now, yes, it is a small boat. We opted for the standard seating, which provides a fair bit more cockpit space than the sunsport version of the boat. If you like the sunsport seating, I would opt for the H190 over the H180 as the extra beam and space between the bench seat and the helm/front passenger seat makes a lot of difference.

Regarding the ride in rough water, it is fairly comfortable through the chop, just don't get carried away with the speed and it is fine (keep in mind it's only a 17-1/2 ft boat!).

All in all, we have been pleased with our descision on this boat. It's easy to tow, easy to launch, cheap to run and plenty of fun on the water!

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

I have had our H180 3.0 merc ( same block different out drive) for 6 months now and have approximately 50 hours on the clock . I have found it to be a good handling boat , the deep vee cuts through the chop nicely. We use it mainly for water sports and no probs pulling skiers, boarders etc . Four people on board seems comfortable to us. My ownly gripe really is the ski locker is a bit small and will only fit a small water ski not a wake board so it only gets used for life jackets ropes etc. All things considered,NICE boat
hope this helps

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Ardy
Adelaide South Australia
Red H180 3.0 Merc

I have a 07 180 with the VP. I have cruise all day with 4 adult’s two teenagers very comfortably. Normally its 2 adults, 2 teenagers and 2 large dogs. The boat performs quite well, in its class I don't think you will find anything better.I would recommend that if you want any accessories you order it with them factory installed,the price is much lower (ie Bimini top).

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Andrew
07 H180
2000 Buell X-1
Stouffville Ontario
Canada

I originally looked at a H180 but wanted the 4.3 V6 in it. Was not available at the time, so for a few bucks more went to the H190 with Sunsport seating and 4.3. VERY happy with it and no regrets about it at all. I have never been short of power!

Fuel consumption on the V6 is not bad at all as you are never working it as hard as the 3.0. Dealer says only a couple of percent more fuel used, but gives you heaps more pulling power and another 10mph top end. At the end of the day, when owning a boat, the fuel cost is just small change compared to everything else!

A tough decision, but go for the bigger motor IMHO - you can never have too much power, and the resale will probably be better as well.

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Alec

2006 Horizon 190
VP 4.3GL/SX, Sunsport

We started with a 20' 200 Horizon (ole '88) and I would not want a smaller boat...here in our harbor (Long Island North Shore..salt water) the average size boat is like 25' so our boat is quite small next to most of the others but because it has a true deep v-hull (21* deadrise) it handles the water very well for its size. I think going for the biggest boat you can afford and handle makes sense because then you save the cost of upgrading later. Of course it depends on where you are going to use it...what tow vehicle you have...etc...on a small lake a 180 with the 3.0 could be perfect...here I'd feel like I was getting bounced around all the time and after a while I'd be looking to trade up. My next one will be at least 22', closed bow (walk around or pilot house) for the big water we get out in the Sound when the wind kicks up.....
We have the 4.3 V-6 in our old '88 and because this boat is lighter than current ones and the engine has a 4bbl carb it performs quite well, you can feel the surge of power when the secondaries open on the Rochester QuadraJet. The 4.3 also gives good fuel economy for its size.
I think FW had a great hull design with our older 200...longer than the current 200 (20'9") but narrower beam and greater deadrise makes it cut through the waves well and it is adequately powered with the V-6 because of the lighter weight (2650 lbs).

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88 Four Winns 200 Horizon
4.3 OMC Cobra-4bbl
2002 Walker Bay 10/2012 Suzuki 2.5
2008 Walker Bay 8

1998 Jeep Grand Cherokee 4.0/Selectrac
2007 Jeep Grand Cherokee 5.7 Hemi/Quadradrive II

I have a 2006 H180 with the 3.0 VP and let me tell you this boat performs great for its size and power plant. I'm am especially impressed with how well it handles rougher water. Yes its only 17.5' but feels a lot bigger thanks to the deep vee. i use the boat for day cruises and water sports and haven't had any issues pulling a skier. It pulls my brother who is about 6'2 235lbs out of the water with no problem. With normally 5 adults and 2 kids on board i find there is plenty of room for us all. My boat has standard seating with a lounger chair on the port side. My wife liked the way the sunsport seating looked but its not as functional. You lose alot of interior room. Just my 2 cents. Hope these posts help with your decision and like someone else mention the other boats in this class are smaller and just don't compete with the four winns

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2006 Horizon 180 3.0 Volvo SOLD
2012 Jeep Grand Cherokee

Just a quick opinion of the sunsport seating. (cause that's what I have)

4winns4me is right...it's does cut down on the interior room, but we found that we love the additional storage which is why we have it. Where the standard seating has seats...we have two huge storage bins that we put all the stuff we use to have all over the boat. Water toys, towels, life jackets, garbage bags, (even a set of jumper cables until I get that second battery). Also..under the bench seat is a lot more storage that I haven't even found enough things to keep in there. Four Winns puts the cooler in there, but so far I just keep cleaning towels and cleaning products.

My wife also likes the bench seat because it's under the bimini so she can take an afternoon snooze in the shade if we're out at the sandbar and even in the 180 you can fit four adults across the bench seat so you can seat 6 without using the bow seats.

I don't disagree with anyone's opinion of it. Like everything else it's a matter of taste and/or needs, but I wanted to point out some of the advantages.

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2010 H190 4.3VP
Tow Vehicle:
2007 F150
Previous boats:
2009 H180 3.0VP
1996 Horizon QX 3.0VP

I still say go with the bigger one....you won't be sorry...I'd consider a 200 Horizon that's say 2 seasons old (like with 100 hrs on it or less) and that's a boat you can keep for 10 years or more....and I have a 4.3 V-6...with a 4bbl carb that is fine for us...we were out on July 4th weekend...teaching my son to drive the boat...and we were glad we had that extra length...with the chop from the wind and all the other boats out there it wouldn't have bee fun in a smaller boat...7 years of boating out here in Long Island (Huntington and Northport Bays) convinced me that 20' is the minimum size I feel safe in......

As far as the sunsport vs standard...the sunsport gives more storage for things like the mooring covers....fishing stuff...we also store a lot in the bench seat itself....and the big sun pad is great for getting a tan on....

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88 Four Winns 200 Horizon
4.3 OMC Cobra-4bbl
2002 Walker Bay 10/2012 Suzuki 2.5
2008 Walker Bay 8

1998 Jeep Grand Cherokee 4.0/Selectrac
2007 Jeep Grand Cherokee 5.7 Hemi/Quadradrive II

2007 180 with Merc 3.0. Love it. Lots of power and with 6 adults on board, trimmed in, you get a fairly decent wake for the 2 tubes in the back. Glad I got a Fourwinns.

Still love our bench/Sunsport seating. Originally wanted the Srd seating but at the last minute waivered and am glad we did.

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Rob
2007 Four Winns 180 Horizon

I'm in the same boat as you ( no pun intended). Wanted a decent boat but didn't want to blow a ton of money (not that 20k isn't a lot of money) I have a 07 180 dual captains seats and standard seating. IT really gives you space that way. I have the 3.o volvo and i had my doubts at first but after the first impeller change am glad I have the VP. Takes literally 5 minutes to change. The ease of maintenance, fuel econonomy, ease to tow with any pickup or small SUV is really nice. The single axle trailer is awesome and easy to maintain. We use the boat for wakeboarding on the delta and lake. When we go to the lake we are on the boat all day. Put the rear seats up for a sun pad and its awesome. The bow filler cushions complete the front area and I use straps to keep them strapped down so they dont fly out while trailering. With 7 adults on the boat it still is roomy enough. Now the optional ski platform I would love but wasn't a option on mine. The bimini is quality and a must. Fourwinns really does there boats right and When you see your 180 in comparison to most other 17.5 boats its looks way bigger and feels way bigger. You wont regret getting the 180. Man fourwinns should hire me LOL

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Four winns 180 horizon

I agree with everything that current H180 owners say about the boat. If your worried about floor space get the standard seating which I'm glad we did. If storage space is more important go with Sunsport. Comparing the H180 to other 18ft boats or 19fts for that matter, FW has a winner. I compared the H180 to the searay at a boat show. Not even close. The searay has a very narrow beam. In fact, if I recall correctly, the 19ft searay had a more narrow beam than the H180. VP 3.0 is plenty of power unless you have 7 adults on board and are doing water sports. I have noticed the fuel consumption figures between the 3.0, 4.3, and even 5.0 don't seem that great but the reality is they will impact your wallet at the gas pump quite a bit. For example, my buddy has a 20ft Regal with 5.0 and both of our families of 4 went out for the weekend following each other around the entire time. He spent $135 on gas while I spent $45. Yes, his boat has more power, more storage, more floor space but both of us had a blast. His time to prep his boat and get it in the water is 3x more than me too. Trailering his boat is more difficult too.

At any rate, the H180 is a fantastic boat and very economical in terms of purchase price, deprecation, and cost of ownership too.

p.s. - The only thing I don't like about the boat is the terrible 2 step ladder plus the 3.0 revs higher and is louder than a fuel injected motor. Power is not a problem for us at all which was my biggest concern when buying the boat.

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-2006 H180 VP3.0 SS 21p