www.iFourWinns.com

Hey guys it's been a mess of the summer and have been reading but not posting.

Thought I'd let you know that I went to the Boat House in Topeka this morning to arrange my winterization and learned that tommorrow is their last day in business.

Hey Mike............where the hell do we go now?

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2008 Four Winns 224 Funship 5.0 GXI/DP Black w/ Tower
2007 GMC Crew Cab Short Bed / Bose Ed.
2007 Fourwinns H180 (SOLD)

"There are no stupid questions, only stupid people"

Well, at least your boat isn't there. Mine is.

As I was walking into work this morning I was thinking, "I bet BH doesn't make it through the fall." And when I updated this forum and saw the latest post was from you, I thought, "I bet this is Marc reporting BH is out of business." Weird.

I'm only speculating, but I would think I dealer like them would be more heavily dependent on free-flowing credit than a good dealer in a coastal location, for example. I bet most of the boats they've sold have been in-stock boats, not orders.

As to where to go - we're either selling, or moving it to MO. The MO move has been contemplated for over a year.

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

Yeah, actually talked with the owner for about an hour about it. I have a few issues that needed attention this winter including a free winterization and other stuff they were waiting for the winter to fix.

I already called four winns and got approval to take it to a Volvo certified shop. Wouldn't bother me so much if the boat wasn't brand damn new.

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2008 Four Winns 224 Funship 5.0 GXI/DP Black w/ Tower
2007 GMC Crew Cab Short Bed / Bose Ed.
2007 Fourwinns H180 (SOLD)

"There are no stupid questions, only stupid people"

Have a shop in mind?

Matt & Max are good people. I hate to see this happen to them.

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

Yeah I talked to Matt today and asked him if he wanted to interview with me. He said he might call.

I think I'm going to Lake Perry Yacht & Marina, but only because thats where I've got a slip in the summer.

I talked with Mike Stefani at Four Winns about warranty work 231-779-2303 and he was really nice and told me he would work a deal with a certified Volvo Shop so it looks like FW will take care of me.

If I were you I might find a Volvo place up there so your not driving.

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2008 Four Winns 224 Funship 5.0 GXI/DP Black w/ Tower
2007 GMC Crew Cab Short Bed / Bose Ed.
2007 Fourwinns H180 (SOLD)

"There are no stupid questions, only stupid people"

"Work a deal?" There shouldn't be any deals that need to be made, as far as Volvo service goes. Just needs to be a Volvo "certified" shop (whatever that means).

I just spoke with my neighbor who bought his boat there new in '98 and has stored it there every off-season since then. He called them and was told he needs to pick his boat up tomorrow or it will be left out in the parking lot.

For us, as I said, the boat will either be sold or the whole show is moving to MO.

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

Yup, I'm in the same boat (hahahaha). I dropped mine off there last week to get some minor fixes done.... adding snaps to the carpet, cracks in the gelcoat, horn inop... you know, minor stuff that you don't want to take a nice weekend to get fixxed. Anyway, as I'm on my way to Neb forsome family thing, they call and tell me "pick up your boat by 4pm tommorrow, or we don't know what'll happen." Needless to say, I wasn't happy. They never even got started on anything. I finished my trip, and took back road from Omaha to Topeka (only 3 hours, actually) and just made it home. So, now what??? I guess I'll bend Sportsman's Outfitters ear for service beyond the Merc stuff. If not, it's a long 3 hour drive.... each way to Village at LOTO. Mike... I saw yours there when I left.... any comment???

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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.

What a PITA. Walt, I didn't know you were using them for anything. I got mine picked up a little after 11 today. They had it for two weeks and didn't get anything done but the gear lube changed . Normally they'd have everything done in 3-4 days tops. I got it from there over to Lakeside before they closed at noon. Lakeside has no room to store it inside, with t-storms predicted for Monday. I hate having to take it someplace else on no notice and no chance to make calls, etc. On the other hand, I've got a gel coat issue to be repaired and Lakeside's fiberglass guy may just be the best in this part of the country.

This all blows, but I have a feeling we may not have truly heard the last of the gang at Boathouse.

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

Fill me in.... Where's lakeside? Merc/FW svc? I've had good luck with Sportsmans, but didn't want them caught in the middle if the gelcoat were to get spidered again in 2 years. My ski locker also has some cracks in it, likely from air pockets in the resin. Again, just minor/small stuff, but I want my Brand New boat to be like new!

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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.

Lakeside is even farther away - I-470 & Auburn Rd. on the west side of Topeka. Gary Weakland is their fiberglass guy. My neighbor's '98 FW got hit by a new pontoon owner this summer. It broke open his swim platform, destroyed the rub rail, and forced the boat into a gas dock, gouging the red gel coat bow. His boat was still like new until this happened, so he was not happy and was as anal as me about getting it fixed. Boat House recommended he take it to Lakeside so he did and it came back just like new, including the color-matched gel coat.

They advertise themselves as a Merc shop but they're also listed as a certified Volvo shop. The way they talked, they have one guy who is Volvo-trained and everything else is Merc.

http://www.lakesidemarinetopeka.com

Also, I spoke with Four Winns and was specifically told that Lakeside would be the next best choice for everything, short of going all the way to Village.

I just don't understand why Kansas City doesn't have a full-line FW dealer.

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

Glad you guys where able to get yours out I just got home fro Table Rock today(Sunday)and got the message from Matt. I'm guessing mine is still inside here Chris said they would keep it. I had my brother in-law go buy and check the lot and he said the back lot was totally empty.I sent an e-mail to Chris through MWBP forum and will call Oklahoma tomorrow.Table Rock sure was nice, now I really wished I took the boat!!! I'll keep you guys filled in on getting the boat back.

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Mike
Smithville, MO
08' Hayabusa, 2011 Subaru Outback, 03' Infiniti G-35 S.C.

Wow Mike, do keep us posted. I drove all the way back with no boat in tow, if I'd known you had that going on I would've pulled it back for you.

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

I woulda called, but hadn't saved your number. I couldn't have done much myself with my own boat in tow anyhow. I'm hopefull they'll get you taken care of in a timely manner.... is your boat winterized?

_________________
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.

Yeah this whole situation sucks. My heart truly goes out to Matt.........he was completely in the dark on the whole deal.

I actually have quite an interesting issue going on with these guys and I'll wait a touch more before taking additional action.

When I bought my new 224 from them I traded in my 07 H180. I had purchased an extended warranty on the 180 so I cancelled it for a refund of $1408. The problem is they sent that money to the Boat House in Ponca City.

So I go in after a few weeks and tell Matt he owes me money. He said no problem he'd get me a check from Ponca. Then came back and said...........if I can work a deal for you would you like to get a new warranty on the bigger boat for that money. It saved me like $500 so I said yes and signed paperwork.

Didn't give it another thought until I got a call. Found my docs called the insurance company and no warranty. So I went down and chatted with Matt and Dewayne (owner) who assured me he would take care of it. So here I wait to see if it will be taken care of. I can assure you that if it's not he won't like the outcome. It's technically an insurance product and taking money for one and not getting the policy is big trouble so I hope he does.

_________________
2008 Four Winns 224 Funship 5.0 GXI/DP Black w/ Tower
2007 GMC Crew Cab Short Bed / Bose Ed.
2007 Fourwinns H180 (SOLD)

"There are no stupid questions, only stupid people"

So anyway on Saturday I went back in and sat down with Matt. He did hook me up with some fluids just to be nice but it about killed me. The guy almost broke down in tears twice. I don't know what he is going to do, I actually offered him a shot at working with me so we will see if he calls.

_________________
2008 Four Winns 224 Funship 5.0 GXI/DP Black w/ Tower
2007 GMC Crew Cab Short Bed / Bose Ed.
2007 Fourwinns H180 (SOLD)

"There are no stupid questions, only stupid people"