www.iFourWinns.com

Dream boat

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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

Thats it!!! Thank you to all!!!

I really did get a GREAT deal! It was so GOOD that the bank used the equily/value in the boat as down payment. I other words, they felt that the boat was worth more than I paid for it. Also, having good credit helped. I only have to come to the table with 12.5K & I owe the bank 10K after trade-in! I almost fell on the floor!!!

It has no electronics, so I took what I had off the od boat. No getset, it has heat & AC which for me is no big deal. But we just needed a little more room & with the 9.5' beam. We hope its more stable in rough water. This is New England & we keep finding ourselfs going to more and farther places.

I feel that the FW is more of a lake boat than a saltwater boat. Heance the use of non-marine wire and connections turning green on me. It is a good boat in general and I ONLY owned my old ("07" V258) boat to work from.

Well I have a lot of work ahead of me. I need to install all my electronics and then some.

Congrats Paul!

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"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

Congrats Paul, it's a beautiful boat, and I really love the color banding. Ironic, when we were looking to move up to a 30 footer, this boat was on our short list too, the Chaps are definitely very nice boats.

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2004 Four Winns 298 Vista
"Last Minute"

The funny thing is, or at least for me. The Bank wants the boat Federal Documented. So no # on the side of the boat. It cost more upfront, but no renewal cost. So if your planning to keep your boat for some time, it could be cheper.

Is that in case its stolen and shipped to another country, they can track it?

BTW everybody is dying to see more pics...your killing us!

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"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

That too!! And It makes it easyer to go to another country, NOT THAT I WOULD. It also gets put into the U.S.C.G. date base just like a state R.M.V. to show there is a lien on it. So even if the boats was stolen & stayed here.

SORRY on the no pics!! But we close in about 2 weeks and the boat is stiil at the show. I must say that the engine room is very big with plenty of room. But the 2 engines all about 10" apart, so that should be fun!

10 inches between them is a mile cpmpared to most I have worked on, A few with ford motors had just enough to get my arm by with no sleeves. and it was to change a starter on the Starbord engine......it sucked
at least you have sixes and they are not as deep as a v8

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"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

I guess your right. It should not be that bad to work on.

Right know I have a hot pepper up my ass. I am trying to buy things and research things for the new boat. As in, I will need a new VHF ant & mount.

I pulled my fusion deck out of my old boat. So now I have that to install. I took my GPS too. but the dealer wanted me to leave the fish-finder. Another thing I have to do. Do I go with a transom mount that he must do? (I can not work on the boat in his yard and it will be delivered to me at my club) Or do I go with a in-the-hull mount?

Iggy, errrr I mean Paul. I would go with a thru hull if you can. Also, since you are having closed cooling installed by the dealer, how much does that cost? I'm curious as I had a debate with someone on what dealers charge for this installation . Also, are your engines equipped with catalysts' ?

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One of 4 Previous (Sold) Boats:
2000 Four Winns 268 Vista

Current Boat: 2004 Chaparral 235 ssi cuddy

Are there any advantages to a closed cooling system on a fresh water boat? If I find a used one with that installed, should I automatically assume that it has been in salt?

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2006 Vista 278
First Boat:
2005 Sundowner 205
Columbus, OH

Also, are your engines equipped with catalysts' ? I am not sure? It just never came to mind!

As to advantages to a closed system, there are many!

1. The engine will run it a more constant temp.
2. No air will get into your system. No air means no rust. Have to taken out your Tstat and looked in?
3. Winterizing is much easier. You don't have to wait for the Tstat to open. AF is already in there!
4. They come in 2 ways, a half or full system. I full system means that AF is also running though the E. manifoilds too. So only the risers need to be changed out from time to time.

There could be more, but lake or ocean, I think its worth having.

As to cost, the kits are about $600 each and the dealer general charges 5 to 600.00 to install Total about $2000.00 Since the boat is new, I am having him do it! I have installed them on 2 of my past boats & there not hard to do.