www.iFourWinns.com

Yes, I keep mine on a trailer. I have had the 2" water hose split, rusted manifolds, and every other problem you can think of, but there is just something that appeals to me about not having an outboard hanging off the back of the boat on a 24 footer.

My most trouble free boat engine was a new 1991 Yamaha 115 2-stroke, that needed only a few repairs in 14 years, however my friends with modern 4-strokes are not having the same luck.

Oops, sorry to hijack the thread.
sjross17: your SD looks great. Even the red gelcoat looks great, which is one of the harder colors to keep up! Enjoy.

_________________

"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

Lou,

I didn't realise US bboats had the reputation of being "lake boats" in the US as well, I thought it was the UK sail boat snobs at the marinas that called them that ! I think the reputation is unfounded. There are some pretty scary lakes in North America as I'm sure you know ! In terms of capability I have no concerns about my Sundowner. OK, it won't be as good as the local 40 foot 14 tonne RNLI lifeboat that'll do 25 knots no matter what the sea conditions are, but really, I don't need that ! No more than I need the performance of the 1961 sea ferry from Wales to Ireland that I worked on as a barman for a summer job as a student when I was 20, some 38 years ago ! It wasn't that much fun ot 05:00; in a F11 gale, 20 knots, horrendous seas and a load of drunken Irishmen in the bar at the stern throwing up everywhere after solid drinking of Guiness since midnight ( and glasses falling on my head). The sould of the propellors coming out of the water just underneath me is still with me now ! Apologies to anyone here with Irish relatives of course, no offence intended !

When I say 'lake boats' I don't mean to say that they lack seaworthiness. In fact some older style outboard boats are less seaworthy that I/O boats if they have a low transom cut out. Those boats can be easily swamped by following seas if anchored improperly. I/Os can also have somewhat better balance because the weight of the engine is lower and more forward than an OB. It is the choice of materials (non tinned wire, cheap plated zamak fittings, carpet where all it does is hold moisture and stink) and the fact that an I/O propulsion system is just very high maintenance if kept in salt water. If you compare prices, a 20' Key West with a 150 hp OB is not more expensive than a 200 Horizon, it might actually cost less. The running costs over time will be several hundred less per year and you are not dealing with clogged water intakes and changing manifolds at about 7 years. If you dont pull the drive each season you risk having it corride in place. Seen it happen even in fresh water. Winterizing is about 1/4 the time. Been doing my own for 10+ years and it takes hrs to get it all done. Any commercial vessels used for work in salt are OBs or straight IB.....the reason is maintenance cost and down time.

Here is what you'd need for I/Os to work moored in salt:
Anti fouling paint for aluminum that WORKS!
Same, for rubber bellows and trim hoses so they don't get cut by barnacles (yes, had that happen)
Standard full closed cooling with stainless steel risers.
A starter that doesn't get trashed just from getting wet.

_________________
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

1. Yes, they are as much use as a chocolate fireguard . Apparently some of the anti mite/ tic treatments for pets are deadly for barnacles ! Domestic paint plus rabbit tic treatment is cheap !

2. Rubber, primitive . A thermoplastic pulyurethane (TPU) would sort that out, but it would be 50% more expensive and last forever, so why would an OEM make it ? But why not really?

3, Yes, I'm part way there, but don't those new fangled cat exhausts have closed cooling, anodes and are made of stainless steel ? ( take the platinum core out, sell it, buy a few nice beers and a load of fuel with the proceeds and there you go, perfect as boat emissions are not checked every year like for cars ! !)

4, Well, I don't know. Mine have never got wet; as I shield them when I drain the exhaust manifolds; but castrate the engine designers that design the exhaust manifold drains so they dump water on the starters, so we don't get any more of them. Almost like natural selection in operation !

Those saily boat snobs were very condescending when the marina first opened. We were the 3rd boat there, they said we'd be very irresponsible to go round the headlands with the tidal races in our 225 Sundowner; no problem in reality ( and a damn sight faster than in their yachts !) !!

Glad to know that I don't have to deal with that salt water....sounds like a pain in the a$$!

We are very lucky here in Michigan to have a choice between the great lakes and some very nice inland lakes. Definitely a tradeoff for the weather though. This past weekend was 70 degrees and sunny on Saturday and it's just gonna get colder from here....wish I could boat all year round!

_________________

1996 Sundowner 245 DLX
5.7L Volvo Penta SX

I only boat in salt and prefer it. I dont find it a pain at all.
Even my first boat at 16years old was a salty. I have been on rivers and lakes on boats but I do love the ocean

_________________
"Changes In Latitudes, Changes In Attitudes "

1996 238 Vista dlx "Casper's Toy Too"
2006 5.0GXI w/closed cooling, DP-sm 1.95 drive
Previous boat:
1998 Sundowner 205

Don't give up on fall boating! In my opinion, it's some of the best boating to be had. Sure, swimming is prob not gonna happen, but usually there is little to no other boats out, cigars taste better, and there is always a football game on the ol' AM dial.

_________________

1996 205 Sundowner DLX
5.0FL Volvo SX Cobra
Tow Veh: 2012 Nissan Frontier Pro-4X

absolutly, yesterday was a great day to be on the water and soon the leaves change color.

I boat till end of October

PS...... NC love the new sig pic. boat looks great

_________________
"Changes In Latitudes, Changes In Attitudes "

1996 238 Vista dlx "Casper's Toy Too"
2006 5.0GXI w/closed cooling, DP-sm 1.95 drive
Previous boat:
1998 Sundowner 205

Thanks! Would you believe me if I told ya that is last years wax?! I just didn't have time this year to give her the usual 2-3 coats. But, I chalk it up to washing/wiping her down after every outing. Or maybe our 96's had an extra layer of gelcoat, cause yours shines like brand new as well...

_________________

1996 205 Sundowner DLX
5.0FL Volvo SX Cobra
Tow Veh: 2012 Nissan Frontier Pro-4X

thank you, I only waxed mine one time since the start of the season, it does hold up well.

_________________
"Changes In Latitudes, Changes In Attitudes "

1996 238 Vista dlx "Casper's Toy Too"
2006 5.0GXI w/closed cooling, DP-sm 1.95 drive
Previous boat:
1998 Sundowner 205

It looks great!

I agree 100 Percent why don't they just make them like this from the beginning.
Here is what you'd need for I/Os to work moored in salt:
Anti fouling paint for aluminum that WORKS!
Same, for rubber bellows and trim hoses so they don't get cut by barnacles (yes, had that happen)
Standard full closed cooling with stainless steel risers.
A starter that doesn't get trashed just from getting wet.

New captains chair with a bolster seat is arriving in a few days! Hope the red color matches!

New springfield round table arrived last night too. Obviously late for this season, but I plan on spending this fall and early spring upgrading for next season!

Here's a pic of the seat....let me know whatcha think.

_________________

1996 Sundowner 245 DLX
5.7L Volvo Penta SX

I think your wood-working tools are really well organized.

The seat looks nice too.

_________________

"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

Wish that was my garage!!! That is actually the seller's picture of the boat seat in his garage. I am still waiting for it to arrive at my house.

So many projects....so little money!! Here is the next wish....

_________________

1996 Sundowner 245 DLX
5.7L Volvo Penta SX

Very nice, the inside will look like new when you are done...
And if you compare the new Sundowners to yours, I bet you will see the older boats have a lot more room inside and are more functional.

_________________
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