First Boat

jbschmoll · **Posted:** Thu Mar 22, 2012 7:56 pm

I just bought our first boat, it is a 2007 Four Winns Horizon 180 w/4.3L 190HP. Very excited! I bought it used from a dealer and I would like to do the maintenance on it myself. I was just curious if getting it ready for summer is as simple as I have been reading. I have four engine plugs and the main plug to put in plus the water intake hose to connect. If there are any other pointers I would appreciate it. The boat had one owner before me and all service records are up to date. Looking forward to the boating season! Thanks

Paul I. · **Posted:** Thu Mar 22, 2012 8:16 pm

I would get your self a manual from Seloc. (I think I spelled it right) Almost any dealer would have it, even on line.

Were are you boating? I started with a 19' cuddie & now up to a 26' cruiser and love it!

Good luck with it!

jbschmoll · **Posted:** Thu Mar 22, 2012 8:19 pm

I do have a manual, it came with all the original paperwork. The manual will definatly come in handy. We are boating on a small lake in minnesota so an 18' is a good size for us to start out with. Someday we would hope to upgrade to a 19' or 20'.

Flying Sushi · **Posted:** Thu Mar 22, 2012 9:05 pm

Welcome aboard!!! Someday you would upgrade to 24' or 26"

ric · **Posted:** Thu Mar 22, 2012 9:08 pm

Welcome to the club! I <3 my H180. Easy boats to work on, just take your time. I can't wait til I step into a 21-24ft with a cabin!

Paul I. · **Posted:** Thu Mar 22, 2012 9:38 pm

jbschmoll wrote:

I do have a manual, it came with all the original paperwork. The manual will definatly come in handy. We are boating on a small lake in minnesota so an 18' is a good size for us to start out with. Someday we would hope to upgrade to a 19' or 20'.

This is the service manual, not the owner's manual! Or some poeple call it a shop manual.

Giffo · **Posted:** Thu Mar 22, 2012 10:24 pm

Welcome to the money pit of owning a boat. You are on the right track if you plan to work on your own boat. I always have on ALL my boats. I bought a full workshop manual here in Oz and it was worth all the $$.(Mercruiser). I have had outboards too! Easy as.
Just be sure you are confident before you challenge the task. Can be a lonely place out on the water!!
Enjoy your new boat. I just bought a 2006 FW 180H. Beautiful boat. Better than my Bayliner 175 (2000) I had two boats ago.
I have had Quintrex aluminium boats (4.75), Haines Signature (4.79), Haines Hunter (6 metre cabin cruiser) all great boats. But this FW is a better finished boat. Mind you mine is newer that any boat I have had.
ONE DAY.......... I will step up to a larger vessel. I am 51 years young so maybe when I retire. Only problem will be, fuel prices will be waaay up there! LOTTO win maybe.

Anyway welcome to the club and "Bon Voyage'

Ccmblack · **Posted:** Thu Mar 22, 2012 10:46 pm

Welcome! I too started with a 97 180 RX. Loved the boat! So did the family. Tough to get rid of. Nothing better than leaving the dock on a smooth day. Enjoy.

aguyindallas · **Posted:** Thu Mar 22, 2012 11:23 pm

Welcome aboard!

jbschmoll · **Posted:** Fri Mar 23, 2012 6:11 am

Paul I. wrote:

jbschmoll wrote:

I do have a manual, it came with all the original paperwork. The manual will definatly come in handy. We are boating on a small lake in minnesota so an 18' is a good size for us to start out with. Someday we would hope to upgrade to a 19' or 20'.

This is the service manual, not the owner's manual! Or some poeple call it a shop manual.

Thanks! I will check this out and for surely pick this manual up. Appreciate the help!

Cap'n Morgan · **Posted:** Fri Mar 23, 2012 7:21 am

ric wrote:

I can't wait til I step into a 21-24ft with a cabin!

Why wait

2002 Crownline 230CCR @ $24K

blue dragon · **Joined:** Tue Jul 12, 2011 5:01 pm **Posts:** 792

LMAO at all the "encouragement" to get the crownline........

Paul I. · **Posted:** Fri Mar 23, 2012 7:38 am

Cap'n Morgan wrote:

ric wrote:

I can't wait til I step into a 21-24ft with a cabin!

Why wait

2002 Crownline 230CCR @ $24K

I had one, it really is a nice boat for what it is! Its bigger brother, the 25 footer has a "real" head in it.

230 Mike · **Posted:** Fri Mar 23, 2012 10:11 am

Maybe a collection is in order...

ric · **Posted:** Fri Mar 23, 2012 10:49 am

That crownline 230 is all around a nicer boat as far as owning and using a cuddy cabin might work out, but seating is very chunky with zero ergonomics on how people will "really" sit on a day to day basis. The random fiberglass cupholder in the middle destroying a place to stretch out, lay down or cuddle is a deal breaker. I wouldn't own one because of that. Not to mention the cushion styling is straight out of the early 90s. Some of the seasoned boaters might like that retro look, but it's not for me.

I understand some of the seasoned boaters on this forum might not like me because I don't conform, but what's wrong with that? I give solid advice that marine mechanics back me up as being correct, I work on my own boat successfully, I upgrade my boat with aftermarket parts to make it "better" and post pictures of how to accomplish those tasks for others that might want to do the same, and I'm the most active boater on this forum. I'll gladly take back that last statement if someone else is on their boat at least 5 days out of the week. So what if I'm under 30 years old and paid $1600 for my boat and not big $$ like everyone else. Does that make me lesser of a person? Should I not be taken serious because I'm half the average age and happened to stumble on a good deal? I don't put anyone down, I don't start drama. I post here to share knowledge and ideas.

www.iFourWinns.com

First Boat

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