www.iFourWinns.com

ok im a noob
I have a 2002 Horizon 180 OB. I wanted to get some tips from other Four Winns owners of similar size.

How do you minimize the bow drift at low speeds ? I have trouble keeping it pointed at the center of trailer when loading. The bow wanders and then I overcorrect (feels to me like I have no steering).

Smart tabs will take care off

You must have the same problem when at "no-wake speed"...you just notice it more when pointing at the trailer?

Try making sure that you are not trimmed all the way down. From the down position, trim up about for about a 3 second count for "idle speed" or "no-wake speed" This helps reduce (but not eliminate) bow wander. (trim back down again before accelerating to get on plane)

When approaching your trailer, you can get more steering control by using short surges of power, returning to neutral and coasting in-between. (continue to steer while coasting)

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"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

Yes I have it at no wake speeds and headway. It gets worse as I go slower like when trailering. Since im in a river I have to navigate unmarked channels and sandbars using landmarks as waypoints. On plane, I do notice left and right drift (because of paying close attention to my reference points) but I don't have to correct it much. It just kinda slowly sways and weaves but stays on course.

To me it feels like when I hit neutral I loose steering. It doesn't drift in a nice strait line for long (It doesn't favor either direction BTW) it will eventually turn hard. I get no feel that my steering correction is having an impact then wham I turn hard off course. If I hit reverse the correction dramatic (and usually in the wrong direction LOL)

I just wanted to see if this is normal for this boat design. I know a lot of my issue is me being new to piloting a powerboat (probably 85% me ). I'm going to try the trim up trick and pulse the power.

Thanks

For the most part what you describe is normal. In neutral you have very little response to steering. You need to have water passing by the lower unit for the steering to respond. As suggested short bursts of power, in and out of gear quickly helps a lot. This is why keeping the gearshift cable in adjustment is so important. Do you have side guides for the trailer? If not you should get them, they really help a lot. Also try not putting the trailer in too deep to recover the boat, that can keep it from self-centering sometimes. Before you approach the trailer, look at where the wind is coming from, and see if you can tell where the current is coming from (if any) that can help you compensate for what the wind or current will do to your boat while approaching the trailer.

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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

practice and experience? other than that, try and sense the water current flow, wind, and don't overcorrect.

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Is it possible that current is doing this? You may want to consider where the ramp that you are using is located. You should probably try using ramps located inside a cove while you're learning to minimize the current/wind.

I have an OB on my small fishing boat and have noticed the OB are a little more temperamental at low speeds than the IO. I assumed it was the weight of the motor being so far back.

May try making sure the pssgrs are evenly distributed in boat....also remember there is a lag time in the turning. This usually causes making a harder turn than needed...aka over steer.

You also may check to make sure the motor is hung at proper level. Can't imagine it being set high on that model boat being its not a fishing rig. Just worth looking to make sure you got enough prop beneath the hull.

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http://i1339.photobucket.com/albums/o71 ... wqm355.jpg


08' H210SS
VP 5.7Gi

What engine and type of steering do you have on your boat?

Many of the 180 OB models came with hydraulic steering this is far better than the cable type. Is yours hydraulic?

I think that you really do just need practice. It sounds as if you are expecting the boat to respond like a car. ie, you turn the wheel a little bit and you instantly change direction. NO boat responds as instantly as a car. There is no direct connection to the ground like there is in the car....this is even more evident at low speeds.

ALSO, a boat steers from the rear. So in reality you need to consider what the stern is doing just as much if not more than what the bow is doing. When you steer to the left, for example, in reality you are directing the stern to the right.

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Current Operational Boats:
'04-Four Winns 180 Freedom 150 HP Evinrude
'72-Chris Craft Commander 31 Sedan Twin-350Qs

looking at your top picture I think you and I have similar boats . (well at least the OB and rear seating)

I have the seastar hydraulic steering. I think you are right it is me

Yeah, our boats are exactly the same hull. The only difference is the name and potentially the seating layout. Mine has two buckets and the rear bench with no sun deck.

I suggest spending time just "playing" with the boat and learning how it moves and steers. Honestly, I think practice makes "perfect" in this case....but then again no one is ever perfect every time.

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Current Operational Boats:
'04-Four Winns 180 Freedom 150 HP Evinrude
'72-Chris Craft Commander 31 Sedan Twin-350Qs