www.iFourWinns.com

Hi all, novice boater and new york resident here.

I am looking at a 98 Horizon 240 i/o. Looking to stick to the Hudson until I've built up some experience and then venture a bit further. Hoping to get to Long Island Sound and maybe the south shores of Long Island.

Just wondering if anyone has thoughts that the Horizon is/isn't enough boat for these activities. I believe that a self bailer was standard on this model. Will know for sure this weekend. Thanks so much.

Your boat should be fine for slightly larger water -- near shore activities.
We use our 240H in the ocean off the coast of Florida and often go offshore five to ten miles. You will need to develope some boat handling skills before taking on rougher water. The boat will be capable of handling rougher water than the occupants will be comfortable with. If you have not have much boating experience look up one of the coast guard auxiliary boating courses. I am pretty sure your insurance company should also offer a discount for completing the course, most do.

We occassionally went onto the long island sound when we lived in Massachusetts, but farther North near the Connecticut river. It can get rough as most larger bodies of water can. Watch the weather --- get a VHF radio (and learn to monitor the Weather channels when the weather seems to be turning) and also get a GPS / Chartplotter and depthsounder. (you can use the Four Winns depthsounder, but a real one is better.) I consider those essential for larger water --near shore boating --

There are cell phone and iphone type apps nowadays that have some similar functions -- consider them as backups only and get the real equipment.

Also --- become a member of either Sea-Tow -- or Boat US -- whichever seems to have the most coverage where you boat. you will not regret it.

good boating. Dale

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DaleG -- West Palm Beach FL
2003 240Horizon -- 5.7Gi -Duoprop

Thanks so much for the help. Sounds like I'm on the right track. Definitely looking into cg aux and sea tow/towboat. Appreciate the equipment recommendations as well.

I realize that I'm a novice so I'll be taking it easy for a while, but I'm curious to know what size seas (1-2 ft, 3-4 ft etc) people are comfortable taking their 24s (or smaller) out in.

Any other comments people can add on the hull characteristics as they relate to handling in rougher water? I'm far from an expert on hulls but my impression is that 20 deg deadrise is an improvement over a more lake focused boat and the intent seems to be a compromise between a flattish lake boat and a deep vee. However, curious to hear peoples' thoughts on how 36" (stern) free board compares to other options (I see hydrasports dc quoted as great freeboard everywhere but can't find a number) and anything else on hull shape (plank shape, strakes, chines etc).

Thanks so much.

I think you will find that estimating a wave height is a very ROUGH science by the actual boater. Go by what the Marine forecast is saying. You will be OK when they say 1-2 feet, at 3-4 the boat is OK, but you may have some seasick people if there is more rollers, versus simple waves. At anything more and it is just too uncomfortable.

A 20 degree deadrise is certainly better than a more "small lake" boat. One of the reasons I bought the Four Winns was the added freeboard compared to some bowriders. (and the newer FW tend to have lower freeboard which is why I bought one before a recent model change) We wanted a bowrider to take more people out and often have 6 or 8 onboard. My previous cuddy cabin would not do that as well. I looked at nice boats like Cobalts but most models are very low lake boats, only a few are larger water boats, and I could not afford those. We have taken solid water over the bow when going out of the type of inlets we have here in Florida. The drains in the back of the Four Winns 240H (at least my year) do go overboard, but they are smaller and not really a "self bailing scupper" like a salt water center console.
The boat will handle six inches of water inside and eight people on board, but it is NOT something for the faint of heart and NOT something you really want to do at all.

The general hull shape is OK, but the wide lifting strakes on the outer edges can pound under certain sea conditions. If you go out into bigger water a lot you will want 100% REAL Hydraulic trim tabs. (I have Bennetts) They will allow you to adjust from the helm and move one side of the boat up or down to minimize spray, and also make it so you are planing at only 16-18 MPH when the waves are bigger. Without them you will just be at hull speed idling along fighting the waves. When the waves are larger I can guarantee that you will NOT be doing 25-30 MPH or you will find the bow of any boat this length underwater.

If I were to buy a boat now I might go with a 26 considering how often we go into the ocean when down in the Florida Keys, but that is not a huge difference. Anything bigger, like a 28 bowrider, requires dual engines, and a much bigger tow vehicle. We go all over and have no desire to have a boat at a fixed place like a slip. A 24 ft boat is still a tandem axle trailer and a pickup or SUV, but it does not have to be a really big one.

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DaleG -- West Palm Beach FL
2003 240Horizon -- 5.7Gi -Duoprop

In all my years in boating, this is the first that I have read anything about a boating course.

For the ocean, yes, take the course. I highly suggest a GPS & VHF on board.

Join a yacht club, there cheaper than a mariner & more helpful too! Plus, they exchange privileges.

Welcome Statistic!

How far up the Hudson will you be looking to do your primary boating? As you may know, the conditions can vary greatly depending on where you'll be. The wide open waters of Haverstraw Bay can be manageable but uncomfortable in a 24 footer on the same day that you would be just fine further north. You shouldn't shy away from the size, but before you make a decision based on what seems like what will be a comfortable first step, also figure out what the biggest boat is you can comfortably purchase and own.

I brought my 21 foot Sea Ray Sundeck down to New York City from around 90 miles away in upstate New York when I was much less experienced. While it handled the trip well, it got very uncomfortable as I got into the bigger water and was even a bit scary below the GWB when the swells started to pick up and the harbor traffic confused the seas even further. That trip was the reason I bought my first cabin cruiser.

I would absolutely consider a Power Squadron course or, even better or in addition, a day on the water with a captain. Buy a copy of Chapman's. Now is the time to be learning all of the good habits that will stay with you through your boating life. The size of the boat and where you boat doesn't matter when it comes to good seamanship and safety.

Best of luck with your decision

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Previously:
2008 V358/Volvo 5.7 GXi Inboards

Wow thanks for the additional responses. i've confirmed that a bilge pump comes standard on the boat. Dale - you refer also to stern drain holes. Are these holes that would be normally plugged or are always open to let water run out? We have the same issue as you, which is we want an open bow to carry people, and are trying to balance that with something seaworthy and something reasonable pricewise.

Sierra - thanks for the welcome. I live in new york city and want to keep the boat close to home (will be in the water somewhere in the lower hudson). My plan for the forseeable future is just to be traveling up the hudson and then coming back home, but that unfortunately requires me to be right where the giant ships etc. are. At least for starters I'll be trying to go out early morning before things get too crazy but I agree it's not ideal. My thought is that if I hug the shore (to the extent possible) below the GWB I can mitigate some of the rough water, and the majority of my boat time will be in calmer waters up North. Just looked up Chapmans and it looks like good stuff. Also was planning on doing an onwater session with a captain so I'm glad to hear that's worthwhile.

I'll search the forum too but if anyone has any other publications that they think are great i'd love to hear about them as well. Thanks again and I'll keep you all posted on whether this thing actually happens!

First I am not 100% sure your year boat is exactly like mine. If you open the cover over the batteries and look behind them, you should see a grating for a drain. That is the starboard side drain -- it goes to a hose which drains above the waterline in the the side are just above the sterndrive. On the port side you lift the seat over the cooler/fresh water shower tank, and there you will also see a grating for a drain. That goes to a hose that drains the port side.
They are not as effective as a scupper in a Center Console, but they do drain the cockpit overboard, any water that got into the bilge would be pumped out by the bilge pump. The drains are always open.




looking at the left side of this picture -- the upper drain (in white) is for a small compartment on the stern on top. The lower larger dain (also white) is for the cockpit drains. (I believe mine are higher -- this is a similar boat --not mine)

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DaleG -- West Palm Beach FL
2003 240Horizon -- 5.7Gi -Duoprop