www.iFourWinns.com

Just brought my 230 Duo-prop with 50 hours (used) up from CT to Mass. My first day noob observations and some questions:

1. A dual axle trailer handles much, much better on the highway than the single axle of my last boat, far more stable. Seems like the turning radius at slow speeds suffers a bit though?

2. I used a a 2" dropped hitch bar and it was way too low on the the 2005 suburban with adjustable air suspension, the front of the trailer was 16" and the rear was 20" or so. I plan to flip it over to get a 1" hitch-rise to hopefully level out the trailer on the next trip. Even though the front of the trailer was a bit low I did not notice any poor handling characteristics up to 70 MPH.

3. Using a cheapie off-contact digital thermometer the temperature of the hubs was approx 95 deg. F on the left side and 105 on the right. I am not sure if it was tire pressure related as my gauge only went up to 60 lbs and they were all at at least 60lbs. It doesn't seem too hot, but it is funny that it differs side to side?

4. I was surprised to see that the water and VHF are not on the key and seem hard wired to the battery which is a problem if someone leaves them on they can kill the battery. Yes, the first thing I need to do is add a second battery and a perko switch , but I was still surprised.

5. The reservoir for the brake fluid on the trailer has a recessed plastic cap, but it looks like there was another cover that is missing over it on the tongue. Is there supposed to be one there? Where can I get parts for the trailer?

6. I read the manual and it specifically says not to use Armor-all to clean or protect the upholstery. What do you folks use?

7. Can you leave the boat uncovered in a downpour without any issues? What about the AM/FM/CD, what about the dash and gauges? What about the upholstery will it get waterlogged? Where does the water in the nterier go? I didn't see and scupps?

thanks!! Jeff

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2005 Horizon 230 5.7 GI/DP 280-HP
2005 Suburban "The Battlewagon"

Yeah - and whatever you do, don't look in your left outside mirror when making a tight left turn. The view of the tires will give you nightmares



Was the hot side in the sun during your trip? In my experience that's good for an extra 10-14F.



On one of our earliest trips, we had loaded up at the end of the day and were prepping the boat to go home. I kept hearing a whining sound and spent 1/2 an hour trying to locate it. I finally realized we'd left the fresh water pump on.



Yes there's a cheap plastic cap (that really is just cosmetic). You can probably get one from either Four Winns or from Tie Down Engineering. The recessed one is the actual master cylinder cap make sure it's tight enough to not come loose or let water in.



303 Aerospace Protectant exclusively. ArmorAll will RUIN your vinyl over time. The cheapest way to get 303 is in gallon jugs on eBay.



It should be OK, but I wouldn't do it if it can be avoided. Everything should drain to the bilge (be sure to leave the plug out). But be aware, many of these boats have manufacturing debris, shifted fuel tanks, etc., blocking the drainage routes. I highly recommend you get it covered.

I saw your PM and will respond as quick as I can...

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

Congrats on getting it home. Enjoy!
I'm still waiting to pick my new baby up from the dealership

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2009 SL262, Merc 8.1L HO 425 HP With
Bravo III "X" Drive and DTS Smart Tow

+1 to all of what 230Mike said. I use Meguiar's vinyl cleaner in addition to the 303. I put the 303 on everything after I get it cleaned. Avoid the water in the interior, but don't panic if it gets wet. The interior drains to the bilge and the upholstery repels water relatively well. I've gone uncovered in a rainstorm once so far, and there were no issues afterward that a good wipedown with a few towels couldn't fix.

Small additional advice: avoid waxing the non-skid swimdeck or cockpit floor. Difficult to remove the excess wax, and they aren't really areas you want slickness above and beyond what they have even WITH the nonskid treatment.

Definitely add a second battery and switch. There are too many bells & whistles on boats nowadays to chance dead batteries because something got left on.

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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)

Congrats. I found the same thing with my 04 230. A dual axle trailer tows much better than a single.

Check out the tri-ball mount they have at Wallmart. It's less than $40 and is a 0" rise. It's rated at 10K too.
It puts the trailer at the perfect height with my supercrew.

230Mike I agree I hate seeing those tires "bend" like that when turning!!!! Looks like they are going to break off.

I use 3m marine Vinyl cleaner. It's $15/bottle but I found it works and smells great.

My 04 has a drain right in the center at the base of the rear seat that drains via a hose to the transom.

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2004 230 Horizon
5.7GI/SX
Towed by a 2000 Expedition

I am grad you made home without any issue…. The first time is always the scary one. You would notice much of difference in turning while you are backing up with dual axel trailer than single….

You would not believe how much sun will do to your bearing temp and tire pressure if you are going on one direction for period of time. Assuming you took I-91, I-89, I-95 or I-90 (Mass Pike) from Connecticut to Massachusetts, you are going north so sun is shining to your left side much of the time. You would see about 5 to 10 degrees difference in bearing and 1.5 lb of tire pressure difference between left and right. Both my boat and Car hauling trailer would do the same thing……

I kind of like the idea of water pump directly connected to a battery since we can use sink and shower without turn the ignition on…..

303 products are great product and me too use for the most of cleaning for my boat.

You will have a great summer with it.

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

Get a good cover for the boat. Aslong as you leave the drain plug out water wont collect unless the hole gets plugged (leaves, plastic bags.) The sun will do more dammage.
http://www.acecanopy.com/car-canopy-wit ... 10x30.html
Heres what I went to years ago plus I use a cover to keep the dirt out.

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97 205 Sundowner

CONGRATS. on your boat!! I found that bio-kleen is in my mind the best out there. For cleaning and protectant . I had some grey spots (mildew) on my seats when i bought it, and nothing would remove the spots. Well bio-kleen did!!! Also there water repellent is amazing. They use a piece of toliet paper to cover a 20 oz. glass of water and turn it over and no water comes thru. this boat is 9 yrs old DREW!!

Yeah - and whatever you do, don't look in your left outside mirror when making a tight left turn. The view of the tires will give you nightmares

Why does it do this? The first day I pulled the boat home I stopped at my aunt and uncles to show them the boat and had to make a hard turn in the road. Hopped out and thought I had a broken axel. took it to the tire shop and pulled in and all was fine.

Oh and congrats on the boat. Lets see some pics.

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Todd
1988 Four Winns Horizon 200
AKA "Summer School"

They do that because it's impossible for two wheels, one ahead of the other, to be on the same turning radius - so at least two of the tires are literally being dragged sideways (well, diagonally actually).

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

The bio Kleen sounds good for cleaning, but you also use it as a protectant?? I looked on-line and didn't see anything like that except for what they call "H20 repel", is that what you use? I am thinking of ordering some 303 Aerospace Protectant to use after I clean the interior.

The interior fiberglass and swim deck is in need of a good cleaning as well. What do you guys use for that??

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2005 Horizon 230 5.7 GI/DP 280-HP
2005 Suburban "The Battlewagon"