www.iFourWinns.com

We just bought a new 2007 H210 at a boatshow.

The purchase price was good and options were good, however my one worry is
the 5.0 GL/SX 220hp. We do have a contigency on a water test as soon as the lakes thaw up here.

Being a car guy I always thought you can never have too much Hp, however if my wifes in the car i get the riot act if i ever try to access that hp, thus when shes in the car i may as well be driving a minivan. But when she is not it all gets used.

So the same will go with the boat. Would love to have a 350, 454, but that wouldnt fly. Since this is a near 100% family activity my questions is related to normal performance on this combination. Will the 220 HP be enough to hall around the wife and kid and maybe another couple and be able to pull a skier out of the water.

My first boats was a bayline 1950 w/ 3.0 if you launched perfect you could get a skier up on one ski if they ne what they were doing. I just dont want to spend 25K+ and be in the same boat, so to speak.

I know it will never be a rocket boat, just hoping its useable.

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2008 H210:
- Two tone Navy Blue, Silver and Yellow
- 5.0GXi/SX 270hp
2006 Dodge Ram 3500 4x4 5.9 Laramie

The 210 is a pretty big boat for a 220hp setup. With a full tank of gas, lots of extra stuff, and 4 adults and a kid or two... pulling up a skiier won't be impossible, but it won't be as good as if you had the 5.0 GXI package.

If you're running a half tank and just the adults... you'll pull a skiier no problem.

You were right with your "you can never have too much horsepower". I think there's guys on the board with 210's that are running 300hp or so...

If it were me, I would at least try to upgrade to the GXI setup. It looks like the GXi price difference at MSRP is about 2300 bucks... I would think you could squeak it in the deal to run you 1500-1800 bucks... And you would keep that investment in your resale value for having over 250hp on the boat... And 270hp would pull those skiiers AND keep your wife happy!

But I totally think the 5.0 GL is better than the 4.3 GXI... just those 2 added cylinders will make a great difference on the low end grunt.

Good luck! Don't forget more details on your boat! Where do you boat?

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2008 318 Vista -SOLD, but I am still around!
All Night Long, Seattle WA

Thanks for reply so far, I am getting concerned now about the carbed version of 5.0. The probab is that there are now 07s left with anything larger then 5.0 Carb, and we got a really smoking deal on the 07, I think we would need to bump up to an 08 and it looks like another 6-7K to get to 5.0 mpi which is 270. They had some 21ft searays with 5.0 mpi for about 5k more but that boat weighs in at +700Lbs more which I think would almost negate the extra HP.

Supposed to sign final paper end of this week, So my choice is really pulling the plug and not buying one, or livign with it.

Last boat was about 10 years ago, going from boating with the guys to boating with the family. Up in SE Wisconsin, and we have a camper on the WI River in stevens point WI.

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2008 H210:
- Two tone Navy Blue, Silver and Yellow
- 5.0GXi/SX 270hp
2006 Dodge Ram 3500 4x4 5.9 Laramie

Understanding the situation.... then get it with the carb and drive it like you stole it.

Remember, with the SX drive, it's ALWAYS an easy option to get a lower pitch prop which would give you more low end grunt.

Just watch the rpm's on the motor.

Heck for that kind of savings, you could use your "every day" prop for average use. If you know you'll be skiing, you can put on a nice stainless power prop in about 8 minutes before you launch.

You are getting a great deal!

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2008 318 Vista -SOLD, but I am still around!
All Night Long, Seattle WA

Thanks again, does the SS prop make that noticeable a difference or would we need to go with an alternate pitch as well?

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2008 H210:
- Two tone Navy Blue, Silver and Yellow
- 5.0GXi/SX 270hp
2006 Dodge Ram 3500 4x4 5.9 Laramie

During my shopping, I test drove a very similar boat to the 210 with a 5.0. I was disapointed with the performance, and decided 350 mag is the ideal power for that size. You can never "overpower" a boat, as long as you don't drive it like that. However, many posts in this forum deal with boats oversized for thier power plant. Just think about that.

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Walt B
"Debt-Charged"
Black '07 H210SS
6.2L Bravo One turning a 21P HIFive
Wakeboard Tower with Perfect Pass Stargazer version
Missouri River; Kansas City, Mo.

I am with Cougarcruiser on this one. I think you will be ok but it will not be great on 220HP engine with 4 adults and 3 kids for watersports. Almost certain that you will become an expert in props.
I understand price is a attractive and factor of purchasing, However, if you are planning to keep this boat for long time you should seriously consider to get exactly what you want. $6000-$7000 difference might not be too much difference if you finance it effectively over years to come. I feel carburetor engine for a “brand new” boat is no longer good move other than initial low capital cost. Good Luck in shopping.... I was there not too long ago..

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08 H260 VP 8.1Gi DP.....Previous
2013 Crownline E6 Merc 8.2MAG BIIIX, DTS/SC

I have been thinking maybe I have to downsize to a 20 ft, but the 20ft fourwinns is only about 110 lbs less.

I may have to either pull the plug on this idea for this year or move to a cheaper boat. We looked at a larson senza 206 with a 5.0 mpi 270hp which was the same price. The FW just really seemed to be a much nicer boar all round for the price.

I am the type that would rather have nothing then somthing I am at least tolerant of.

Although I thought i was suffering when i sold by c5 convertible and replaced it with a car with a backseat - a cadillac CTS-V. Although I am missing the convertible part the car is an absolute blast to drive, and i find myself really liking it in the end.

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2008 H210:
- Two tone Navy Blue, Silver and Yellow
- 5.0GXi/SX 270hp
2006 Dodge Ram 3500 4x4 5.9 Laramie

Why don't you look at a slightly used boat? Here is a 210 with the big motor... it's a 2007 and looks to be in great shape... and it's 30k...

http://www.winnisquammarine.com/Used%20boats.htm

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2008 318 Vista -SOLD, but I am still around!
All Night Long, Seattle WA

In my search for the ideal boat, I found the FW tended to be a lighter boat than the other manufacturers. Especially when compared to a Crownline, for example.

Keep in mind, those kids are only going to get bigger, and want to do more stuff, faster. Right now it may just be 1 tube, soon 2, then 3. Then ski's and Wakeboarding. You don't need to go with the biggest engine available, but my rule of thumb is about 100 Hp for evey 1000 lbs. Not real scientific, but works well. As I said, I test drove a 21ft Ebbtide with the 5.0 EFI (250 hp I think?). That was quite the pooch with just myself, the mechanic, and 1/2 gas! I couldn't imagine chopping off another 30hp from that!

Now, I think the 6.2/320hp is a little overkill for the 210 (ok, not really). Certainly wouldn't be worth the extra $3k, but at least take a good look at the 350 mag, and maybe settle for the lesser 5.7, or even the 5.0 EFI if that's what the wife decides. Just don't make the mistake of getting way too little and regret it too much later.

Just remember, you don't have to drive WOT all the time. But, it's nice to know you've got the extra umph if you have a full boat, or just by yourself with nothing but glass in front of you.

As far as propping the boat right, try this link.....
http://www.go-fast.com/Prop_Slip_Calculator.htm

I hope that helps.

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Walt B
"Debt-Charged"
Black '07 H210SS
6.2L Bravo One turning a 21P HIFive
Wakeboard Tower with Perfect Pass Stargazer version
Missouri River; Kansas City, Mo.

While everyone who has responded so far has been correct about the power issue, it isn't like that boat is going to be the biggest POS you've ever been in. The stainless steel 5-star type props can make a HUGE difference when it comes to giving you increased holeshot power for watersports. Will it affect your top end? Absolutely, but it isn't going to cost you 15MPH or anything like that.

If the option were to buy that boat or have nothing, I'd do it in a second. No matter what type it is, the smallest amount of time on the water in a boat beats spending all day on the banks wishing you had a boat.

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Paul
2007 Four Winns Horizon 220
Mercruiser 350 Mag MPI w/ Bravo III Drive
2004 Ford Explorer Limited (V8-AWD)
Pomme de Terre Lake (Southwest Missouri)

Buy the boat! BUT make sure you are happy with the seating arrangements, storage space etc.. the money you save now could be used to change the cam, intake and carb later. this would give you an easy 270 HP with extra low end grunt. Change the heads and you could have 300 HP!!! Change the prop and you'll be popping right out of the water. My H200 did about 52 mph on the speedo with a 21 pitch prop and about 48 with a 19 and pulled tubers no problem at all.

You want to make sure you are 100% happy with everything because depreciation is a bitch. Especially if you are financing a boat, you don't want to realize at the end of the season that maybe you should have opted for something bigger or smaller and decide to sell or trade and be in a negative situation. Make sure and budget the payments, insurance, maintenance and fuel to make sure you can afford a boat. I used $1500 in fuel last year in my H200 that I only ran from July 7 to October (about 75 hours). And seemed that every weekend we were spending an extra 75-100 bucks on food and beverages to take with us!

I don't mean to be negative but I know of a couple of friends buddies that got in over their heads and had to practically give away their boats to get rid of the payment and they still had to kick in some bucks. If you are fortunate enough to have some cash you could always wait and look for a deal like this.

Let us know what your decision is. There is nothing better than coming home from a hectic day and cruising to your favorite bay, having a sandwich or burger with a couple of beverages then slowly cruising back to the launch as the sun sets. You don't need to go far...just far enough to leave reality behind!

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Marc, Kathlin & Nathalie


'89 Chaparral Laser 32

'93 Vista 245, 5.8L w/ King Cobra

Former Boats
'01 H260, 7.4 VP Duoprop
'98 H200, 5.0 GL w/VP SX drive

While I and (I think) most of the people on this particular message forum bought our boats new (at least in the Horizon forum), I think just about anyone, if they were completely honest, would say buying a year or two old is the smartest way to buy a boat. You've still got time this winter to shop around from people who are looking to get out or upgrade by spring. With some effort, you could very well end up with more boat and more power for less money than what you were planning on. Boats depreciate (especially in the first 1-2 years) at a rate that makes cars look like great investments.

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Mike
2005 Four Winns 230/240
VP 5.7GXi/DP
1998 F-150 XLT
Boat Pic

The part that makes this tough is the price on this new boat is cheaper then the same configuation of the few used boats around. And the prices are all on upward swing right now through about mid july when the start dropping again.

I started to escalate this with the dealer today, to see what they could do, to find one out of state as a dealer trade. I also talked to a larsen dealer as that is our 2nd favorite boat, and they will honor the boat show prices if we choose them, and they have a 5.0 mpi and 350 available. Its slightly more money but they are 08's instead of 07's.

Hoping the FW dealer can find us another option as we just really like the layout, material quality of this H210.

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2008 H210:
- Two tone Navy Blue, Silver and Yellow
- 5.0GXi/SX 270hp
2006 Dodge Ram 3500 4x4 5.9 Laramie

Not to make this harder, but do be aware that FW prices (as well as everyone else's, I assume) have gone up just about every year, so you may not do yourself any good to wait a year.

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Mike
2005 Four Winns 230/240
VP 5.7GXi/DP
1998 F-150 XLT
Boat Pic