www.iFourWinns.com

Hello again - you guys have been so helpful in my trawl round North American boating manufacturers I just thought I'd give you an update -

So far I have looked at the following boats -

Will fit in my garage with no modification to the boat -

- Four Winns H180LE
- Crownline 185
- SeaRay 175
- Rae Line 180
- Bayliner 185

Will fit with swim platform removed -

- Four Winns H180
- SeaRay 185 (probably)

So I'm not short of boats that will fit in the garage... just need to decide on which one. Right now the Crownline 185 and the Four Winns H180 with swim platform removed are in the lead.

Narrowing it down now......

JB

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2010 Crownline 180BR
3.0 litre Mercruiser
Onyx black Narrow hull and middle deck band
Bimini/Targa, Bow and Cockpit canvas
2000kg tandem Dunbier trailer

Tow vehicle - Nissan Pathfinder Ti

While it is nice to be able to fit the boat in your garage I would not limit yourself to a smaller boat for just that reason. My first two boats fit in my garage and that was really nice and handy, but you can never go wrong going bigger for more room, better ride, and an all around more enjoyable day on the water. But it also depends on what you intend on doing with it. I would stay away from the Bayliner IMO. Fout Winns and Sea Ray both make a much nicer boat for the money.

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1998 Baja Boss 252 7.4L MPI Bravo 1 (SOLD)
2007 FW H200SS 5.0GXI (Sold)
2004 Chevy Silverado 2500 Crew 6.0L (tow vehicle)
1991 FW 170 Freedom 4.3L (SOLD)

This was a huge concern for me. I was (am) to cheap to pay for storage in my area (and its not cheap here like many of you have indicated). Luckily, when I had my house built, I had the garage made 5 feet deeper than normal. The only way I would not have a boat that didnt fit in the garage is if it was big enough to not ride on a trailer and be kept in a slip...in time, I will be there.

As much as we are all Four Winns fans around here...a swim platform is very nice to have....I am not sure I would sacrifice not having a platform...very tough call.

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Current Boat:
2004 Sea Ray 320 Sundancer "Nauti Luvin'"

Previous Boats:
1999 298 Vista "Seas The Day"
2008 H200SS "Nauti Luv"
2006 Tahoe Q4

Like you, I narrowed it down to Crownline and Four Winns when I was deciding 4 years ago and looked closely at both at the Boat Show. The clincher for me was the Crownline dealer was not located anywhere near the water, a pretty small operation, not open on weekends etc. where as the FW dealer ticked all these boxes plus had stock.

I must admit I did like the Crownline fit and finish though, but absolutely no regrets on choosing FW. I don't have a swim platform and it has never been an issue at all.

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Alec

2006 Horizon 190
VP 4.3GL/SX, Sunsport

I have to ask why the garage is so important. Neighborhood covenants? Theft?
Being down under, I wouldn't expect it to be weather related like some of our northern friends deal with in the winter.

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H210SS 6.2
F150 Platinum

Not really sure how big the swim platform on the H190 is, but the H180 IMO is very small and sits kinda high in the water for my taste. Love the built in platform on the H200. It is plenty big enough for a few people to hang out on and sits very close to the water when anchored at the sand bar. This was another reason we went with an older Baja rather than a newer one that doesn't have a very nice swim platform.

_________________
1998 Baja Boss 252 7.4L MPI Bravo 1 (SOLD)
2007 FW H200SS 5.0GXI (Sold)
2004 Chevy Silverado 2500 Crew 6.0L (tow vehicle)
1991 FW 170 Freedom 4.3L (SOLD)

Hi Alec, the Crownline dealer is probably the same one I've been to - the one way up in Preston. I'm not sure how much of an issue the distance from the water would be, as to keep the Crownline 5-year warranty, the engine has to be serviced by any Mercruiser approved service place, there's one here in Mordialloc.

They're very comparable boats indeed, so this may come down to a sea trial......

Thanks again for the advice!

JB

_________________
2010 Crownline 180BR
3.0 litre Mercruiser
Onyx black Narrow hull and middle deck band
Bimini/Targa, Bow and Cockpit canvas
2000kg tandem Dunbier trailer

Tow vehicle - Nissan Pathfinder Ti

JB, the 5 year Crownline warranty is pretty compelling - I never got this offered, it may have been a deal maker at the time! Yep, same dealer in Preston, so I think a sea trial may be out of the question for them, JV Marine may be a bit more accomodating. Maybe ask JV about a 5 year warranty and see if they'll match it. On the minus side of Crownline, not so common in Melbourne compared to FW therefore resale may not be as good in the future, and did not like the idea of a Dunbier roller trailer with a fibreglass hull as they can create pressure points and dent the hull over time. FW trailer has bunks specifically made for the boat so there are no pressure points and a folding tongue so it fits in the garage even easier. So just check if the trailer they are offering with the Crownline has a folding tongue - this is a real plus in my books. Take a tape measure with you!!

I must say though, I also prefer the VP drive rather than the Merc Alpha - the cone clutch is pretty smooth compared to the clunk/thud from the Merc leg. I guess there are plus and minuses for both types, but found no probs gettting VP parts at all either from JV Marine or JJ Marine in Port Melbourne, although Merc parts are probably more common. Lots of VP experience on this web site to help out if it's ever needed!

Anyway, just my thoughts and experience. Ultimately the decision will be yours, and I know I took a few months to decide myself. One big advantage is that unlike me you have found this site before you bought, so lots of support and advice.

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Alec

2006 Horizon 190
VP 4.3GL/SX, Sunsport

Hi Alec, the 5 year warranty is available from both BL in Preston and JV, however the one on the Crownline is a manufacturers 5 year warranty, the JV one is one of these extended insurance warranties which has a maximum payout of $2000. The trailers are both Dunbier, they both can have foldaways, the difference I can see is that the Crownline is on wheels as you say, however the trailer they provide is a 4-wheel 2 ton rated trailer. I'm going up to JV again today to check what the trailer is rated for at JV.

The other difference appears to be with the carpet - in the Crownline it is stuck down and I reckon the floor might be marine ply, whereas the 4Winns has a snap-in and I think it's on fibreglass.

Getting close to a decision!

JB

_________________
2010 Crownline 180BR
3.0 litre Mercruiser
Onyx black Narrow hull and middle deck band
Bimini/Targa, Bow and Cockpit canvas
2000kg tandem Dunbier trailer

Tow vehicle - Nissan Pathfinder Ti

This is exciting... I love watching other people spend their money..

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2010 H190 4.3VP
Tow Vehicle:
2007 F150
Previous boats:
2009 H180 3.0VP
1996 Horizon QX 3.0VP

Not half as exciting as it is for us.....

JB

_________________
2010 Crownline 180BR
3.0 litre Mercruiser
Onyx black Narrow hull and middle deck band
Bimini/Targa, Bow and Cockpit canvas
2000kg tandem Dunbier trailer

Tow vehicle - Nissan Pathfinder Ti

This would be a deal breaker for me. Glued down carpet on Marine ply will eventually = rot and you will be getting soft spots in the floor and will have to replace it. Snap down on fiberglass is the way to go. Snap down carpet is also obviously much easier to clean and replace as well.

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2008 FW F204 - 5.0 VP "Stand On It"
Former Boat: Larson 186 LXI - 4.3 VP

+1

If you have kids, dogs, or hang out at a beach / sand bar, spill a drink, ect....

I really like snap in carpet, can leave the carpet at home if the dogs are going.


As for storage, our 1st two boats were kept in the backyard. Kept storage covers on them. A PITA, but worked. Current house we had 3rd bay on garage built 5' longer and a 10' high door. Then bought a small vista that will not fit. I have shrunk wrapped it one winter and have also found cheap indoor heated storage the last couple years.
What I am getting at, you may buy a boat today that fits in the garage, but if you fall in love with boating, next year you will want a 20' or 22' boat.

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2000 248 5.7L DP
'92, '94 SXI 750, '08 STX 15F, '12 Ultra LX 300
Videos

Thanks for all your advice everybody. I'm weighing up between the Four Winns H180 and the Crownline 180BR. The Crownline is definitely a nicer finished boat, the package I want is AU$1000 more than the Four Winns - not a major difference.

I like the Crownlines 5 year manufacturers warranty. I don't like the glued down carpet - I prefer the Four Winns snap-in. The Four Winns also has a lot more people-space in the boat but a lot less storage space.

This may come down to a sea trial!!!

JB

_________________
2010 Crownline 180BR
3.0 litre Mercruiser
Onyx black Narrow hull and middle deck band
Bimini/Targa, Bow and Cockpit canvas
2000kg tandem Dunbier trailer

Tow vehicle - Nissan Pathfinder Ti

And to confirm - I have rung the Crownline dealer this morning and it is a glued down carpet on marine ply. That is definitely a negative.

Looking good for the FourWinns....

JB

_________________
2010 Crownline 180BR
3.0 litre Mercruiser
Onyx black Narrow hull and middle deck band
Bimini/Targa, Bow and Cockpit canvas
2000kg tandem Dunbier trailer

Tow vehicle - Nissan Pathfinder Ti