Looking at a 2005 230 (240) Anything I need to know?

formulax · **Posted:** Mon Dec 28, 2015 10:07 am

Hey guys, first post here. I am looking at a 2005 230 Horizon
http://www.boattrader.com/listing/2005-FOUR-WINNS-230-Horizon-102563086

I really like the styling of this boat and like the fact that they did not change much over the years. This will be my first boat purchase, growing up we always had a boat (bass) and spent many summers at the lake. I'm looking forward to making new memories with my own family now.

Is there anything about these boats I should look out for when I go look at it? Anything notorious for going wrong with them? The boat is about 2 hours away but I have a brother near by and he went and did a first pass on it just to make sure I was not headed down to look at a junker. He said it was pretty clean for an '05.

I noticed it does not have the Four Winns trailer, it appears to be a Sea Ray trailer. Is that an issue or is it fine as long as it fits the boat?

The only thing it appears to be missing is the from bow cushion, the dealer said it did not come with the boat. Anyone know how much a replacement would cost? I found the cushion on http://parts.fwdealer.com but I have to submit a form to get a quote on it. Anywhere else to look for parts like this?

The dealer seems reputable and said they will let me do a lake test before purchase. They sent me compression numbers on the motor and it seems tight, if they are honest numbers.

Riva Mike · **Posted:** Mon Dec 28, 2015 10:37 am

It does look clean for an 05. It also has, in some people's eyes, an advantage over the new Horizon's in that the new ones do not have a head. If the bow cushion is part number 135-22653, the msrp looks to be $147.22, your local dealer should be able to order one for you. I'm not sure how long it will take because it is listed as a manufactured produced part -- i.e. not sure if it is in stock.

formulax · **Posted:** Mon Dec 28, 2015 11:16 am

Thanks. I had been looking at 21ft boats but the wife really liked the head on the bigger boats. When I first started looking I thought they stopped the 230 in 2005 but realized they just changed it to the 240, which makes a lot more sense since it is a 24footer. $147 does not seem too bad. Closest Four Winns dealer is 3+ hours away though. Is parts.fwdealer for dealers only or can the public order from there?

Riva Mike · **Posted:** Tue Dec 29, 2015 12:37 pm

I believe you have to order parts through a dealer. Your local (or closest) dealer should be able to order the part and have it shipped directly to you.

GottWhat · **Posted:** Tue Dec 29, 2015 3:51 pm

Looks really clean. Low hours. Good price. Dual-prop outdrive. The head compartment is a great feature, especially if you have a wife and kids. The only thing is the 280 hp is right around the minimum you would want for this boat. It will do fine with an average load and cruising but you may want more HP if you are using it for water sports and/or the main use will include hauling around a lot of people.

Very nice find!

formulax · **Posted:** Tue Dec 29, 2015 4:04 pm

Thanks, all the ones I am seeing around the 2005-2006 are the 5.7 280HP. I think I even saw a few with a 5.0 in it

We do plan to pull kids on tubes and I will probably ski occasionally behind it. Seems like from other owners they don't have any issues with towing. We do plan to take friends out quite a but, but I don't see more than 6 adults at one time.

240 Joe · **Posted:** Tue Dec 29, 2015 10:46 pm

I have really enjoyed my 2006 240 Horizon, essentially the same boat. some of the stitching on the vinyl has had to be redone this season. I had to replace parts on the Captain Call but that is not on your boat. i have over 300 hours on it. I would buy it again, great boat.

GottWhat · **Posted:** Wed Dec 30, 2015 9:49 am

FYI, you can download the retro catalogs and the informative "Fast Facts" here: http://www.fourwinns.com/customer-service-catalogs.aspx

Owners manuals: http://www.fourwinns.com/customer-servi ... nuals.aspx

The "Fast Facts" are great because it includes detailed specifications including weight, fuel use, etc. For example, it says the 2005 H230 w/5.7Gi DP is 24' long, weighs 4290 lbs, top speed range of 47-50 mph and burns 9 gph at 3000 RPM (28 mph).

230 Mike · **Posted:** Wed Dec 30, 2015 9:44 pm

It's a great choice. Of course I'm biased.

I see one battery on the starboard side. If it has dual batteries you'll probably want to move them to the port side.

french829 · **Posted:** Mon Jan 04, 2016 2:06 pm

I also have this same boat and same year. Love it. As Mike said, I moved both of my batteries to the port side. You will notice a slight list otherwise. In addition, the shift cable on FW boats seems like it is a common problem. Our first season (we are second owner and bought in 2010), the boat was very difficult to shift into reverse. Once we replaced the cable in the off-season, it has been fine. Good luck with your search/purchase.

formulax · **Posted:** Mon Jan 04, 2016 2:54 pm

Thank for the input everyone! I go to look at the boat this Saturday. I've got the price dropped down to 21k. There are a few items missing that were original with the boat, front bow cushion, transom shower and igloo cooler. Those are easy items to replace though. It does have the add-on dining table and dual batteries. I'm not sure where the other battery is located as I can't spot it in the photo.

For those that have the same boat with the 5.7, do you ever feel that it is under-powered? Any problems pulling a skier or hauling around 6 adults?

Thanks again,
Steve

formulax · **Posted:** Mon Jan 04, 2016 2:56 pm

Oh, and do you guys tow your boat back and forth? I assume it is a fairly easy boat to tow? I'll be keeping mine in my garage so it will be towed each trip to the lake. I have a 2014 Tundra 4x4.

rpengr · **Posted:** Mon Jan 04, 2016 4:19 pm

formulax wrote:

Oh, and do you guys tow your boat back and forth? I assume it is a fairly easy boat to tow? I'll be keeping mine in my garage so it will be towed each trip to the lake. I have a 2014 Tundra 4x4.

Well you must have a big garage! My 240 is too tall and too long to fit in mine.

Your 4x4 Tundra will do a great job towing it. And your 5.7 will do a good job of everything except out-running jet skis. With 6 people you should get a top speed of about 46 mph, or tow most anything.
(but don't try to race GottWhat's boat that has 385HP :lol:

)

french829 · **Posted:** Mon Jan 04, 2016 4:22 pm

I have the same power package and have never had any problems pulling a tube, skier, or wakeboard. I think the largest factory engine you could get on this boat was 320 hp--which is not a huge difference IMO. With gear, fuel, trailing, etc--you will be towing every bit of 6000 lbs (maybe even closer to 7000 lbs), but you will have no problem pulling with the Tundra. Feel free to ask other questions.

formulax · **Posted:** Mon Jan 04, 2016 4:26 pm

rpengr wrote:

formulax wrote:

Oh, and do you guys tow your boat back and forth? I assume it is a fairly easy boat to tow? I'll be keeping mine in my garage so it will be towed each trip to the lake. I have a 2014 Tundra 4x4.

Well you must have a big garage! My 240 is too tall and too long to fit in mine.

I'm almost 40ft deep with an 8ft tall door. If the sales lady gave me correct ground-to-tallest-point measurements the boat should fit with 3in to spare. Fingers crossed.

www.iFourWinns.com

Looking at a 2005 230 (240) Anything I need to know?

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