www.iFourWinns.com

Hi, I just sold my 2003 Four Winns Freedom 170 w/115 OB and I'm now considering buying a 2005 Four Winns Horizon 190 with the Volvo Penta 5.0 GL engine. Never had a stern drive before. Does anyone have any feed back regarding this engine. Looked everywhere, can't find any reviews on it. Thanks

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2005 Four Winns Horizon 190
2010 Toyota Highlander

Not a big seller for FW, can't say why really. That's alot of motor for that little boat, and current owners know it, that is why you do not see many with this engine/drive for sale, people love them to much to get rid of them. That boat will hit just over 50mph at WOT and if it was an Fi engine, it will hit nearly 55 mph. That's sweet.

Depending on where you boat, salt or fresh water, the sterdrive will work just fine. A bit more maintenance hassles if you run it in salt water than an OB.

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

Current Boat: 2004 Chaparral 235 ssi cuddy

I have the 4.3 Volvo on my 180. This is my first boat and relied on some very experienced boaters. They wanted me to go center console with an OB, but the wife was wanting the bow rider. So he told me to seek the Volvo V6 over the other configurations. He also said do not even think of getting the 4 cyl.

I will say, mine runs at a nice clip with the 4.3 WOT is about 40-42 with a new stainless prop. I run in salt water in the Gulf of Mexico and intra coastal. I am very good about cleaning it off right after each use and running fresh water through it for about 5 -10 min.

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2010 Sea Hunt Triton 220 "Big Whiskey"
2003 FW Freedom 180 Volvo Penta 4.3GL/SX-M "It'll Do Four Now" (Sold)
2012 Avalanche LTZ 4X4

Thanks for your reply, the boat I'm looking at is the 2005 Horizon 190, 19'8'', that's now the Horizon 200. My concern was the 5.0 GL is carburated (older technology) and not MFI fuel injected. Is there much of a difference between the 2 except maybe a few miles per hour difference?Thanks

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2005 Four Winns Horizon 190
2010 Toyota Highlander

I had a 1998 H200 with the 5.o GL and SX drive. It was an excellent boat. It always started was easy on fuel (if you weren't hammering it). It had 350 hours when I bought it and 420 when I sold it. I had to change the water pump and the fuel pump just before I sold it but that was all the trouble it gave me. I would not hesitate to purchase another of the same setup. Actually there are many days when i ask myself why I sold it!

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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

I bought my 190 with 5.0 carb new in 2003. There's been no major problems (knock on wood) at all. I normally start the engine at the ramp and run for maybe 1 minute before pushing off the trailer. The RPM at idle is low so when the engine is stone cold it might run a little rough at the very beginning. One time this last year it died when I pushed off the trailer too soon and didn't I give it enough gas (operator error). No problem, it started right up and backed out of the launch area without issue. The rest of the day it's starts up and goes without any issues and has plenty of power. I have no regrets buying the boat with 5.0 carbed.

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2003 Horizon 190 5.0 Volvo
2003 Chevy Suburban Z71 5.3

Thanks for the great advice, We bought the boat, it only has 85 hours on it and look like new. We can't wait for spring now.

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2005 Four Winns Horizon 190
2010 Toyota Highlander

As far as carb vs FI goes...yes FI does have advantages such as smoother running when cold and the ability to idle the engine very smoothly at slow idle which is an advantage for sterndrive boats (smoother shifting with the lowest possible idle). And they are easier to start for boaters that have not grown up with carbs like us older folk...but as far as parts cost a carb motor can be cheaper to repair...an example is the cost of fuel pumps...the ones for FI are much more expensive (list can be as much as $700) than those for a carbed motor... (list about 180 and aftermarket is even less)...
With a carb motor you just need to get the cold start procedure down pat for your engine and then you'll be fine with it...mine needs 3 pumps then put the throttle control in the fast idle position (about 1/3 foward) and it usually starts on the first try unless it's been sitting more than 2 weeks...then it may take 2 or 3 attempts but it's always been a good starting boat over the years we had it..only needed a carb rebuild when it was 16 years old and still has the original fuel pump...

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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

Thanks for the great tips, my 2003 Freedom 170 had a carb 115 Johnson and basically the same once I had the cold start procedure down pat it started fine every time.

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2005 Four Winns Horizon 190
2010 Toyota Highlander