www.iFourWinns.com

New Member here, and thank you for the add! I recently acquired a new to me 94 Four Winns Horizon 180se. Loving the boat so far, my grandfather had a very, very similar boat back in the day that we spent soooo much time on. I've been looking for one as close to what he had for a while now. It currently has a Johnson GT150 outboard on it, that needs a tune up. It needs some other cosmetic love as just about any boat in this era needs, but nothing I haven't come across before. My question is to anyone that has a similar year boat what size shaft does your outboard have. I know for certain the boat has been repowered, as the motor is an 88. I am thinking it may have the wrong size shaft on it. Currently has a 20in, and I saw a similar boat this past weekend, not 100% if it was the same year but looked to have a longer shafted outboard on it, I've been scouring the internet trying to find any info I can, and there is not a lot out there. Any help is greatly appreciated! I will post some pics as soon as I can! TIA

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1994 Four Winns Horizon 180se
W/A Johnson GT150 Outboard

As with any outboard, the top of the cavitation plate should be even or slightly below the bottom of the hull. If that is aligned you should be good to go.

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2007 358 T-5.7GXi IB
Previous Boats
'08 H240, '08 V318, '04 268, '04 225

Yes, that was the first thing I checked. On my boat there is a sort of step if you will below the bottom of the transom to where the drain plug is at the bottom of the hull. My cavitation plate is at the bottom of the transom, but the boat I saw it looked to be at the bottom where the drain plug was. That's why I am trying to find out what others may have on their boats. I will try and get a picture of the "step" to give a better idea of what I am talking about

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1994 Four Winns Horizon 180se
W/A Johnson GT150 Outboard

The drain plug is the lowest point of the transom, so you'll most likely need to be under that point. Share some pics on here (or the facebook page) and I'll give my two cents...for what it's worth!

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2007 358 T-5.7GXi IB
Previous Boats
'08 H240, '08 V318, '04 268, '04 225

https://imagizer.imageshack.com/img922/708/dCexaD.jpg

https://imagizer.imageshack.com/img924/9485/4MNBj6.jpg

Here are some images to help describe what I was talking about. The cavitation plate is even with the bottom of the transom, but the lower unit is maybe 1/3 - 1/2 under where the drain plug is under that sort of step down from the transom to where the plug is.

Sorry It took so long to get the images up, had a little health scare and ended up at the hospital

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1994 Four Winns Horizon 180se
W/A Johnson GT150 Outboard

https://photos.app.goo.gl/565afQF4nZrg88Nq6
https://photos.app.goo.gl/sXzQXRhHVh8TAZKv5
https://photos.app.goo.gl/wttCdwjHZTfrqWeK6

Above are links to some pictures of the outboard placement on our '99 model H180. My hull is different than yours as I don't have the "step" you have. But my cavitation plate is dead-even with the drain plug. The bottom of my mounting plate for the motor is exactly 12" above the bottom of the hull. I also have a 25" shaft on my Johnson 130.

This is a link to video of me flushing out the motor. You might be able to see a little more clearly how everything lines up.
https://photos.app.goo.gl/33zi5aGkznx3Mni96

Hope this helps.

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1999 180 Horizon OB Fisherman Pkg
2013 Grand Cherokee 4x4 w/ 5.7 Hemi
San Antonio, TX

Interesting! I've never seen one like that. Maybe look at some used ads and even new outboard powered boats to see what they did.

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2007 358 T-5.7GXi IB
Previous Boats
'08 H240, '08 V318, '04 268, '04 225

Yeah like I said, I have never come across something like that.

So I reached out directly to Four Winns yesterday, and just got an email response this morning. I will update with any new info

I did take it out yesterday after doing a tune up this weekend, it did run A LOT better. Did notice some cavitation at higher RPM's and speeds

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1994 Four Winns Horizon 180se
W/A Johnson GT150 Outboard

Looks like I'm about 3 months late on this thread. What did you find out?

Your engine does look too high to me. However, when engines are mounted way back from the transom (the lower one with the plug). The rule of thumb is 1/2" to 1" higher for each 12" back. Here is a similar discussion with outboards mounted back on brackets: https://www.thehulltruth.com/boating-forum/245448-engine-height-bracketed-boat.html

You were getting ventilation when going fast even in a straight line? Is it even worse going around fast corners?

Ray P

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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