www.iFourWinns.com

Yes, some different thoughts from different people regarding the trailer couplings and brake actuator. Mine works fine and I cannot see a reason that they need to be replaced at all. Go figure how many are on the road in the US and you'll understand there's not an issue with the Tiedown coupling at all. It may be because it does not meet the Oz standards - probably because nobody has bothered to ever submit it!

Sounds like you've got a painted trailer Daz if it has rusted out at the back. If you are using it in salt water, it will have a limited life... they usually rust from the inside out. I ordered mine with a galvanized and gatorhyde coating - in theory should last for ever!

Yep treated pine (probably get something like F5 structural grade and make sure it's got no knots in it) and marine carpet for the bunks is fine. Make sure you use stainless bolts and nylocs and you're done. Have a search on the threads here as quite a few have replaced them over the years.

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Alec

2006 Horizon 190
VP 4.3GL/SX, Sunsport

Early morning skiers are a very serious and dedicated lot. This pic was taken about 730 am at Murray Bridge, just before yours truly had his first ski.

And the standard boat shot in ideal conditions

As usual a great time was had by all, sorry I haven't got any action shots of us skiing and boarding

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Ardy
Adelaide South Australia
Red H180 3.0 Merc

Ardy,

What a motley crew. Water was cold I bet........ Weather in Sydney is teasing us at the moment. Cold days then you get one day which is warm as. You get excited hoping for another and 'BANG' cold again. Bring on summer!!!

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2006 Four Winns, Horizon 180. Alpha 1 Gen2 leg with Solas SS 4 Blade Prop
135 HP Mercruiser. Clarion Stereo System. Swim Platform made in Colorado and Imported to Sydney.

Hi Graham,

Sorry for the late reply. I only went as far as the Jamieson Brewery. There is no "mooring" as such. You just pull your boat up to the river bank, hop off and we tied up against a big tree stump. All very easy and quite deep on the river bank which you can see with the depth sounder.

Just went for a cruise again this weekend. Launched in Bonnie Doon and cruised to Eildon and around the dam wall. Great day for it! Taking the boat down to Pt Lonsdale this weekend though which is where it will be permanently based from now on. Sad to leave the fresh water but excited for some bay adventures. Hoping to trip from Queenscliff to Portsea Pub on the Sunday if the weather is alright. If anyone knows any other fun things to do around Port Phillip Bay let me know!

Matt

Hi Matt.

We did the trip on the 20th Oct. from Bonnie Doon to the Jamieson arm but turned around when the trees became numerous.
The boat is still too new to replace the prop.
Eildon is fantastic when it's full. Taught the wife how to do high speed turns and practice getting the handle back to the skier.

We spent the long weekend at Paynesvile (with a private jettty) Way to go. Only got stuck on one sand bar-- didn't see the port marker in time. Very shallow in spots.

We were just talking about going over to Queenscliff for a lunch trip from Safety Beach soon.
Good spot for lunch at Sorrento is the old baths. Great meals. Just a few hundred metres further on from where the ferry docks. You can pull up just in front.
There's many more. Will fill you in when I have time.

Graham

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2012 H180 ss
1976 Swiftcraft

Hi Graham, it's been running at 99% for a while now. Are you talking floating trees or the taller ones sticking out as you get closer to the edges? We were there in January but didn't own a boat then. We are there for new year and will be taking our Horizon up.

One thing I often do on the bay is launch at Newport and take visitors around St Kilda, Port Melb. then up the Yarra as far as Herring Island. Melbourne looks absolutely beautiful from the water as you go up through the city. You can tie up at Docklands or opposite the Casino and go have a coffee. You can also tie up at the inshore end of Station Pier in Port Melbourne.

This is fun to do if the bay gets a little too choppy to be comfortable.

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Alec

2006 Horizon 190
VP 4.3GL/SX, Sunsport

Hi Alec,

Yell out the next time you do this trip, as we'd love to tag along in convoy!

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2011 Four Winns H180 SS.
Aussie built Mustang 2800.
SOLD - 1997 Four Winns Horizon RS

Hi Mike.

It was only the trees sticking out of the water. Have spoken to others and they all say it's fine. My wife wasn't keen
on the trees. Haven't taken her to the Murray yet.

To anyone who is interested in boating up the Yarra, there was an article in Trade a boat (issue 426) talking abou the free 4 hour berths at South Warf promenade. Plenty of good restaurants in the area.

Cheers

Graham.

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2012 H180 ss
1976 Swiftcraft

Cheers Graham. I've spoken to others and they say the trip to the brewery is fine. Will report back after our new year trip!

Sounds like some great trips. The Yarra cruise sounds like a lot of fun. I might try that. Launch at Docklands?

Since moving down to Pt Lonsdale I've done a few cruises in the bay. Went from Queenscliff to Portsea Pub for lunch whilst also out to Sth Channel Fort and around the seals at Chinaman's Hut. Couldn't believe how quick it is too get across that part of the bay. Much quicker (and cheaper!) than the ferry. The boat handles beautifully even in a bit of chop. So stable.

Re trees at Eildon. We've never had an issue. I've done several more trips. I can see they do look intimidating but we just go slowly slowly around them. It's 5knots that last section to Jamieson Brewery anyways. Best thing is to follow a local if they are going along but otherwise you should be fine. That said. New boat only do what you feel comfortable doing.

There's a place called The Moorings at Metung. Anyone been there? Looks nice. What was the Paynseville accommodation?

Hi Matt
We stayed at the Moorings last March and I don't think you could get a better place. All different types of accommodation from around $180 per night and great boat access and mooring.
Metung very quaint with a few good restaurants and pub.

I'll get back to you on the Paynesville accomm.

You can't launch at Docklands. Use St Kilda or Newport.

Graham

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2012 H180 ss
1976 Swiftcraft

For the Yarra cruise, you can launch at St Kilda or at the Warmies boat ramp near the Newport power station depending on which is easier for you to access.

At Paynesville, we usually rent a house on the canals with a mooring for a week or two, or if it's just a weekend, we stay at Mariners Cove http://www.marinerscoveresort.com/ and get a mooring as well. Kevin who owns it is a good guy and looks after everyone. https://plus.google.com/107611442645410603734/about?gl=au&hl=en A good boat ramp and launch facilities at Paynesville in Slip rd.

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Alec

2006 Horizon 190
VP 4.3GL/SX, Sunsport

Took the boat out on Wednesday for the first time since April! Was a little choppy probably 0.75M waves but was 30oC. We launched at Patterson Lakes, headed South to Daveys Bay, anchored up and had a beer and lunch. We then headed further south to do a spot of squid fishing. I caught 4 but let 2 go as they were small. Prepped the other 2 and had them with dinner last night, delicious! Wish we had been out yesterday as it was 41oC but had other stuff on. Can't wait for summer to really kick in!

Nice work, Mike!
I headed out Thursday evening (40+ degrees), only to be confronted by a nasty rain & wind gust storm!
We got soaked & had to wait 40 min at the Mordialloc Ramp to retreive the boat...

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2011 Four Winns H180 SS.
Aussie built Mustang 2800.
SOLD - 1997 Four Winns Horizon RS