www.iFourWinns.com

Just purchased last week. Clean engine, runs smooth, interior is in great shape. First boat I've ever owned. Love it so far. Just wanting some feedback on this type of boat. The only problem and it may be ignorance on my part but second day on the lake I started it and it wouldn't kick over. I pressed throttle forward then back to nuetral and it started right up. Is this normal? Oh, it's a 1996 195 sundowner, volvo penta 305 ford

As like all carbureted engines, when cold you might have to pump the gas once or twice to get it started. Remember back in the day on old cars? Carbureted boats are no different. They're just car engines modified to work in a boat using 1960's technology.

Just make it a habit of when cold, goose the gas once before starting. It will fire right up with zero effort. If it's hard to start when hot you're getting a vapor lock issue, which is VERYYY common on the 3.0 4 banger in my boat because the carb sits on the exhaust, but not so much on any V8 models.

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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

Appreciate it! I'll make a habit of it. Any other advice or certain things I should be looking out for? How do I fix/check the vapor lock if and when that comes up?

Mine does the same thing. I think it has more to do with the throttle/gear selector not being completely in neutral before starting. I've noticed that sometimes I have to move the throttle/gear selector from forward/reverse to get mine to start. I think eventually it will need to be replaced, but not going to pull the trigger till it gets much worst.

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1996 4 Winns Horizon 170 SOLD
1997 4 Winns Sundowner 205 SOLD
2000 4 Winns Horizon 230 CURRENT
Tow Vehicle: 2007 Toyota Tundra Limited SOLD
1999 Chevy Tahoe 4x4 SOLD
2003 GMC Yukon XL 2500 6.0

Good to hear! Doesn't seem too big of a problem as of now. Thanks for the feedback

There's a microswitch in the shifter assembly that blocks the starter circuit if it's not in neutral. I don't know if there's any adjustment, maybe it's getting a bit worn/ tired. Thety look like a pretty standard microswitch, so no need to pay silly marine prices.