www.iFourWinns.com

Hey everyone! I am currently looking around to purchase my first boat, and I just stumbled across this site. It looks like there are lots of knowledgeable members on this forum and I could really use some help. After doing some research, I have narrowed my search down to a few different boats that I would like to keep my eye open for, and I think that a Four Winns Horizon is probably my number one choice. I want something that I can get a group of people together and head out on the lakes, and use it for occasional towing (tubers, wakeboarders) I am looking for something in the mid 90’s to early 2000’s. I have come across several listings, but before I start looking at any of them seriously, I just would like to hear some of your opinions about these boats, like anything specific I should look out for with these models, motor combinations (3.0L, 4.3L, 5.0L) etc. Any help would be greatly appreciated!! Thanks!

Welcome! For the type of boating you describe I don't think you could choose a better brand. There are four incontrovertible rules:

1) No one ever said, "I wish I hadn't gotten such a big engine." Boats are not like cars in this way. When everything else is equal, or even close to equal, go with the biggest engine you can afford. 80% of the used boats on the market are for sale primarily because the current owner is unhappy with the power (well, in this economy that's no longer true, but you get the idea). Dealers sell a lot of boats at boat shows and casual buyers by selling them an "affordable" package that is underpowered. Many of those boats end up on the used market within a couple of years. Don't buy someone else's problem.

2) You're looking at boats that are nearing 10 years of age. Inspect them very carefully, and if you aren't 100% sure of what you're looking for, make any deal contingent upon a full mechanical inspection with engine compression test, to be done by a good marine mechanic. In the age range of boats you're considering, you'll find everything from worn out warhorses to garage queens whose biggest problem is that they haven't been run enough. You're in the best used boat buyer's market in history, so don't necessarily fall madly in love with the first one you find.

3) If you'll be towing the boat, don't overlook the condition of the trailer. Does it appear to have been maintained? Wheels & tires in decent condition? If a candidate has been used in salt water, checking the trailer over carefully is 10 times as important.

4) Once you buy a boat, you have to post pics of it here. If you don't you'll get a visit from our people.

Where will you boat? There's a good chance that someone here is familiar with the area and can give you some more specific advice. If you haven't already, take a boating education course. There's a good chance it's required where you live, but even if it isn't you're guaranteed to learn things you didn't know. Even the online courses at http://www.boat-ed.com/ are pretty good.

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

Mike offers some great advice. But I would possibly not follow #4, if the boat you choose is a Bayliner. Sometimes that is like opening a can of worms around here.

Good Luck in your search !

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

Current Boat: 2004 Chaparral 235 ssi cuddy

Mike gave excellent advice and to this I'd add try to get the newest one you can...FW was owned by OMC from 1986 till OMC went bankrupt in 2000 so many FWs had OMC power from 87 or so up to 98 or so when the last of the OMC Cobras were made. The Cobras made from 86 to 93 were a purely OMC design which had some shifting problems in the beginning but that was worked out. They are not bad but parts are getting hard to find for certain items. The Cobras from 94-98 were identical to a Volvo SX of that era so those are OK to buy but I'd avoid ones with Ford engines or EFI not because they were bad but some of the parts specific to them might be hard to find...best bet is to go 99 and newer and get one with a Volvo or Merc...and check it for rot VERY carefully especially if the deck is carpeted...often the deck underneath (plywood) will rot because the carpet holds moisture and the holes were not sealed...

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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

Depending on where you boat...My Horizon 260 is ideal for what you described especially if you're on big water. Just remember that boat's of that era will require maintenance and may not be in the best of shape. You can get them looking beautiful but it will take up alot of time and cash. Buy one that's acceptable to your tastes and use 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

Firstly Welcome to the board.
Mike seems to have it covered especially with the "you never hear of anyone complaining about too much power"
Having said that I am quite happy with the performance of the 3.0 litre H180 combination, which is used for watersports 99% of the time.
Anyway compare the brands talk to people and most likely you will end up back here. Four Winns make a good boat
Hope this helps

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Ardy
Adelaide South Australia
Red H180 3.0 Merc

I have to agree with Mike and Ardy. The H180 3.0L combo has more than enough power for doing most things. Neighbor has a 2008. With that said though he does wish he had more top speed when going from one place to the other. And since he is usually following me he can't keep up! If I was looking at a H180 i would go with the V6 for sure. My first FW had the OMC 4.3L and had plenty of power. It was a 1991 and would still out run my buddies 08 H180 3.0L.

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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)

The 4.3 especially if it has the 4 bbl carb has good power for a smaller bowrider...our 88 200 has one and even though this boat is bigger than the later model 200s (about a foot longer at 20'9") it has more than enough power...now if I ever repowered and also needed a new drive I'd be tempted to drop in a 383 small block with a Volvo DP...

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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 info guys, it is greatly appreciated! What are some good boat classified sites that you would recommend? I have been searching craigslist and a few others, and I am just wondering if there are some better ones? I am looking in the area of Michigan/Ontario, Canada. Thanks again!!

I don't think anyone meant to ignore your question... it's just that used boats are EVERYWHERE right now.

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

18' to 20' Horizon are great boats to start with… There are many of them on market now. Just fellow anyone here`s advice…. Then you can decide you really like boating or not… Once you get hooked.. be aware that there is a things called “2 feet itch” You will know what it mean once you own the boat…. We originally owned a 20 foot boat then, 21’, 23’, 24’ and now 26’ boat…. Have a nice season and please do not forget to post Pictures.

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

I grew up on boats (my dad has always had one) but never owned my own until 4 years ago. Due to travel baseball, etc. I was always afraid to spend a lot of money on a boat I would never use. Then my friend bought a new Cobalt and put his 89 Sea Ray (16 ft bow rider OB) on the market. It was pristine and had a 100 horse Mercury outboard. Since he sold it to me for only $3800 it was a great starter boat. After 3 years of boating (and one of those I only took it out 4 times) we decided we were indeed boaters and had by now figurerd out what we wanted: More space and an I/O engine. We fell on a great deal last August for our low hours 2003 H240. The great part is that I sold the Sea Ray on Craigslist for $3500 so it ended up only "costing" me $100 per year!!! I can only say that I know a ton of folks who have bought a 50K boat and then found out that they never used it and then it sat in a storage facility while they kept making payments because they were so upside down they could not sell it...

For us going from a 16 ft boat to a 24 ft boat has been a revelation

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2003 Horizon 240 With 5.7 Volvo Penta

[quote="230 Mike"]Welcome! For the type of boating you describe I don't think you could choose a better brand. There are four incontrovertible rules:

4) Once you buy a boat, you have to post pics of it here. If you don't you'll get a visit from our people.




Well guys I ended up buying a boat! I went down and picked it up yesterday. Its an 03 Horizon 180 with the 4.3L. All my neighbors think that I am crazy, as we just got a snow storm on thursday. Now I cannot wait for summer! I have a few questions about cleaning. What do you guys find is the best product to remove some minor scratches/dock rash? And also, what do you guys use to clean the interior? Soap and water then armoral or what? I have heard not to use armoral, but I also know some guys who use it.

Pics will follow, just having problems signing up for Photobucket.

OK Mike put the "people" on standby!

The people have been busy lately!

NEVER use Armorall on a boat interior (well, actually, never use it on anything but tires, but that's a different story). Armorall, used enough times over a long enough period, will ruin your upholstery. IMO the best product for upholstery is 303. It's what is recommended by many of the boat builders. The cheapest way I've found to buy it is by the gallon on eBay.

As to the hull rash, it really depends on how bad it is. If it's deep scratches and gouges, it'll need to be repaired by someone who knows how to repair fiberglass & gel coat.

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