www.iFourWinns.com

My first boat was a 1993 Fourwinns Horizon 190. It always treated us well so when it was time for a new one the 2005 Fourwinns 200 Horizon was the boat for us. We loved this boat, the fit and finish was great and we had no problems except it was just alittle to small for our family and our needs. So last we we upgraded to the 2007 Horizon 240 with the 5.7VP 280hp DP. We thought this was going to be our next 10 year boat. Well we have had nothing but problems since the day we took delivery and I'm not sure what to do at this point. This is the list of things that I can remember.
-fuel gauge not reading correctly (not repaired yet)
-trim gauge not reading correctly (had to replace sending unit)
-rattling bimini (repaired but not completely)
-rust spots on the fiberglass coming from the ends of the stainless grab bars for the bow passengers on both sides of the bow area (not addressed yet)
-dash nuts came loose so the dash lifts right off (not fixed yet)
-head compartment headliner falling down (not fixed yet)
-constant bad odor from the potable water (cant figure it out)
-fuse box for the trim pump was bad (had to be replaced)
-decal above the rub rail on the sides is peeling off just from simple cleaning (not sure if its covered under warranty or not)
-the captains chair had to be replaced, it was broken on delivery
-the windshield is not aligned correctly (not fixed yet)
and the 2 major things
-It has been taking on water from the the anchor drain on the bow. The dealer told me that the anchor locker was supposed to be sealed from the factory and it wasn't so when water comes up the bow at slow speeds its been going into the drain and then running down the bilge to the back. It was coming in so fast my pump was going off every 1/2 hour or so for while before I noticed. They sealed it but the bilge is still wet so I think its still leaking and has been since I've had it.
-The newest thing is the last weekend I was out when my alarm went off. I looked down and say no oil pressure. I nursed into the local marina and pulled the dipstick to see nothing on it. 4 quarts later I went home and its been there since. I don't know if it has been leaking out and going out the bilge pump with the leaking water or if its burning it. I haven't gone back to the dealer yet. There is a slight oil residue in the engine compartment but I can't tell because there is always water in the bilge.

I really like the dealer alot and they have been most helpful, to a point where I feel like I'm being a pain in the neck every time I go in for these issues but I've just had enough. I'm sick, I hate this boat and don't know what do. I'm even more affraid to own this boat next year without a warranty. Has anyone else had issues like these or have any advice?

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Steve
2007 Fourwinns Horizon 240
VolvoPenta 5.7L DP GL 280 hp

It sounds like you need to sit down with your selling dealer and have a heart to heart conversation. This is where a nonconfrontational discussion can really work in your favor. Be organized, professional, and be dilligent. Set an appointment with the owner/manager and see what you can work out. Remember you will get MUCH more action and support if you are decent to work with. Fortunately, you have the winter (depending on where you are located) to get your boat ready for next spring.

Keep us posted on how it goes. Good luck


BTW, Welcome!

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2001 Horizon 260 - 7.4 Volvo GSI DP

I'll try to give a little more input than I did over at TBM.

-rust spots on the fiberglass coming from the ends of the stainless grab bars for the bow passengers on both sides of the bow area (not addressed yet)

->> This is speculation, but owners (and not just on new boats) have found a disturbing amount of non-stainless steel fasteners used some boats. I can only speculate that this might be your problem with the rail mounts. Without looking at the boat, I'd worry that the deck may have to be separated from the hull to fix this. Not acceptable IMO on a brand-new boat, but then again I may be wrong about having to do that.

-dash nuts came loose so the dash lifts right off (not fixed yet)

->> Missing locknuts? Something like this, the dealer ought to be able to fix easily, quickly, and once.

-head compartment headliner falling down (not fixed yet)

->> Sounds like they didn't get enough glue on it at the factory. Something like this, the dealer ought to be able to fix easily, quickly, and once.

-constant bad odor from the potable water (cant figure it out)

->> Try flushing it a few times, then filling it completely with clean water and about 2 cups of bleach. Let it sit in there for a day, then flush it a few more times. See if that helps. Do keep in mind this is a 12 gallon plastic tank, and may never smell exactly like your kitchen tap.

-fuse box for the trim pump was bad (had to be replaced)

->> The fuse BOX was bad? Very strange.

-decal above the rub rail on the sides is peeling off just from simple cleaning (not sure if its covered under warranty or not)

->> On a brand-new boat you bet it's covered, and the dealer ought to be able to fix it easily, quickly, and once. What are you cleaning it with?

-the windshield is not aligned correctly (not fixed yet)

->> Not good. That could possibly be a more difficult fix, but there's no excuse for it being wrong. The dealer should be held accountable to fix it.

-It has been taking on water from the the anchor drain on the bow.

->> This is common, but not nearly to the degree you described. The anchor locker drain hole sits very close to the water line on the 240 - about 8" when at rest. We get anywhere from zero to maybe 2 cups of water through ours in a day of boating. Funny, our last outing was on the roughest waters we've ever had the boat on, yet for the first time we had no water come in. I was expecting more.

Those are just my immediate thoughts. I think your dealer needs to get serious about fixing this stuff. Don't let them tell you it's supposed to be that way or there's nothing that can be done about it. I'd get FW involved directly, so that they're involved from the get-go.

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

Mike, How many forums do you monitor? How do you manage to get a days work in? What is this TBM anyways? Just kidding, I am glad to see that you spread your knowledge far and wide; I hope you are pumping the Four Winns brand everywhere you go....

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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

He's a "knowitall" over there too!

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2001 Horizon 260 - 7.4 Volvo GSI DP

Man. I hope I don't come across that way. People here like Walt, and people over there like the other Walt, have forgotten more than I'll ever know about boats.

If I ever come across like a know it all, somebody bitch slap me.

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

Wow - I am stunned by the sheer number of problems. I've got to admit that this is very unusual for a FW boat.

I agree with Dave, you need to take a deep breath and sit down with your dealer with a list of the problems and clinically work through them one by one. I know my dealer has been great to date on a couple of extremely minor problems I found. Like Dave says, work with your dealer - remember, you always get a lot more bees with honey than crap!

Just hang in there - once the problems are all fixed you will get the pleasure and fun that FW boats are reknowned around the world for. ... But keep us all posted.

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Alec

2006 Horizon 190
VP 4.3GL/SX, Sunsport

I've been lurking a bunch and I never got the vibe that you were trying to come across as a know-it-all or get credit or something. I've read many of the TB forums and they have a bit of a different feel. More cutthroat, shall we say? I know I've learned a lot from the group's posts including yours. Keep it up!

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Brian
2007 Four Winns H200 - VP 5.0L GL/SX
2003 Chevy Avalanche Z66
Canyon Lake, TX

Sorry to hear you are having these problems. I too have a 2007 Horizon but mine is a 220. Similar problems are almost every interior nut and bolt have come loose and fallen out on the floor. I've put them back myself. The cleats for my bimini were loose from day one (this was not noticed when I took delivery). To save a trip back to the dealer I "jack-legged" repaired it myself to make it to the 20 hour service. My accessory plug has never worked (I've checked the wiring and fuses and everything appears OK). My carpeted "wall" in the storage bin on the starboard bow behind the dash has fallen down (I could screw it back but leaving this for the dealer to do). My main hose that pumps water into the engine came loose and luckily I noticed it just when we were taking off for a full day at the lake and was able to reconnect and tighten back up. I understand that it is the owners responsibility to check for loose screws, bolts, hoses, etc. but this is the 5th new boat I've taken delivery on and none of the others had issues like this. Also, this the best "name" boat I've owned and for $50,000+ I expect more. If I paid $50,000+ for a car I would have applied for "lemon law" status in my state. Does it sound like I hate my boat? No, I love it! It's by far the most comfortable, powerful, beautiful boat I've every owned. It screams quality fit and finish and these little nagging things should not have happened if a true quality checklist was in place at the plant. The water leak and oil issues you are having are serious. I don't blame you for being sick and think the prior advice regarding a heart to heart with your dealer is the thing to do. Almost everything I've heard about Four Winns customer service is positive and I would encourage you to give them the chance to make things right. Good luck and keep us updated.

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'07 Horizon 220

I see that you made over to this Forum. I hope you would get better feedback from real FW owners from this forum. Mike explained pretty much everything but I am still convinced that your dealer did not prep your boat right and you have an engine problem…. Did you order your new boat from FW or you picked up a boat which was displayed on their showroom/lot? Some of your issue sounds like your boat was abused on boat shows and dealer did a quick fix.
Either way I hope you can work the things out with a dealer. Calling direct to FW and explain how unsatisfied with your new boat is a effective step as well. I know the fact FW would listen and put pressure to your dealer…. Do you keep your boat in Marina/Slip in NH or bring it back to your home on trailer? Please PM me if you like to get together and take a look. I happened to live in next town over in Middleton.

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

Mike I was truely being funny. I'd like to have half your knowledge! This is a great forum where we can ALL learn from eachother. I was just poking you. No issues, honest!

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2001 Horizon 260 - 7.4 Volvo GSI DP

And I knew that, Dave. I do at times seem to post a lot on this board and have been a little concerned about that. I think it's because it wasn't very long ago I was the newbie who had a million questions and so now I feel compelled to try to help out the new newbies. It's all good .

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

Yep FW owners with knowledge and willing to share always welcome IMHO
Ardy
South Oz

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Ardy
Adelaide South Australia
Red H180 3.0 Merc

Hello everyone, just wanted to update since my last post. The Marina took care of all the minor issues under warranty. The water leaking in through my anchor locker was the result of poor sealing from the factory so that was resealed. The low oil seems to be the result of internal leaking, most likely past the valves. At first Volvo stated to the marina that this is normal oil consumtion. I put 80 hours on this season. If my 2 year old car was down 4 quarts of oil within a scheduled oil change I would not consider that normal so why do they? crazy or what? I guess the engine in shipped with mineral oil from the factory and at the 20 hour service they switch over to synthetic and your supposed to run synthetic for the rest of its life and never, ever switch back to mineral. Volvo is recommending that they switch back to the mineral oil in the spring and that should solve the issue. They also stated that they use a 30w mineral oil and that is what they are going to be recommending from now on. Only excessively used boats and commercial boats are they going to recommend synthetic. Has anyone heard of this? Obviously I was not pleased with this answer so I wrote a long letter to Volve Penta Consumer Affairs. 3 days after I sent the letter my marina called and told me that they want me to do the oil change in the spring back to mineral oil and then monitor the level throughout the summer and if I see a drop in the level then they will replace the enging in the fall. They will also extend the warranty that runs out in July to the fall. So I'm not sure were this leaves me but at least it seems like its going in the right direction. Let me know what you guys think.

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Steve
2007 Fourwinns Horizon 240
VolvoPenta 5.7L DP GL 280 hp

Glad to hear the dealer is taking care of you on this... And I'm really glad to hear they are going to take care of you on the engine situation.

I would try to get those instructions in writing... follow them to the 'T' - and if you don't feel that solves the problem to your complete satisfaction, then push for a new engine.

The 240 is a rock solid boat. I will agree that I ran into the headliner issue in the head, and the loose bolt holding the dash down. Both were super easy fixes.

As for the stinky potable water --- bleach is your friend.

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