www.iFourWinns.com

May be a stupid question but I can't seem to find the answer anywhere.

I just bought a 94 Four Winns 215 Sundowner Cuddy Cabin and would like to know if it has flotation. It has a large area on either side of the of the boat, under the deck, that appears to be completely sealed. I would imagine that these areas are filled with foam but would like to know for sure.

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1994 Sundowner 5.0L OMC

I cant say for but my 88 Horizon 200 definitely has it under the deck. In fact I had to dig much of it out when I fixed the rotted deck and stringers. When I contacted 4winns they said that it was needed for both flotation and structural reinforcement. So I wound up replacing the foam when I did the new deck back in 07.

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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

All USA powerboats in this category have had flotation since [I think] the early 1970's. Here is a link to a US Coast Guard regulation requiring "Level Flotation" in the case of a swamped boat:
http://www.uscgboating.org/regulations/boatbuilder_s_handbook/flotation_part1_f.aspx

I know that the typical sailboat does not require flotation. They will sink like a rock if the cabin fills with water.

I do not know at what size a boat, yacht or ship no longer requires level flotation when swamped. Perhaps someone else has that answer?

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"Knot Easy" 2000 Horizon 240 Volvo 5.7GS /SX
tow: 2017 Honda PILOT EXL-AWD
prev. boats:
'87 Chaparral 198CXL 4.3 OMC Cobra
'69 Jetstar 16ft Ski Boat, 115hp Yamaha
'68 Aluminum Jon Boat, 3hp Sears
'64 Water Wings

Over 20' does not require it. But many do such as Boston Whalers, Key Wests, Grady White, and Everglades.

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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

LouC, you are correct. The regulation only covers powerboats 20' or less. Outboard boats must have "level" flotation, and Inboards and I/Os must have "basic" flotation, which is similar, but can be stern low. This is with engine and gear, and a portion of the people weight.

I had thought that my Horizon 240 would float if swamped...but it might not. The regulation does not require it.

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"Knot Easy" 2000 Horizon 240 Volvo 5.7GS /SX
tow: 2017 Honda PILOT EXL-AWD
prev. boats:
'87 Chaparral 198CXL 4.3 OMC Cobra
'69 Jetstar 16ft Ski Boat, 115hp Yamaha
'68 Aluminum Jon Boat, 3hp Sears
'64 Water Wings

when doing my AC project, there's no floatation in my chap. It will go down like unsinkable I

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1981 Columbia 8.7
2015 Yamaha FZR - 87mph - sold
2006 Yamaha GP1300R - sold
2003 Chaparral 215 SSI - sold
2009 Stingray 195CS - sold
2000 Four Winns H180 - sold
1976 O'day Daysailer II - sold
Rick's Four Winns H180 Mods/Upgrade Thread