www.iFourWinns.com

Hey all, just wanted to stop by and say hi! I was looking for a Four Winns boat forum and came across this one.

A little about myself and my boat. My name is Andy and I live in Des Moines, Iowa. My parents have owned a boat for some time now. Started with an 18' Rinker with a 4 cyl and in 98 they bought our current 18' Horizon RS with the 5.0L in it brand new. It has been a great boat with not many issues at all. It only has around 260 hours on it but that will start to climb more quickly. The GF and I recently purchased a 04 TrailBlazer to be able to use the boat when we want without having to borrow the parents tow rig. My parents just don't seem to have the time any more so the boat will probably be mine in the next couple of years.

My other passion is my 2000 SS Camaro. I started with a completely stock Camaro three years ago with 10k miles on it. It is now Cam'd, spray'd, and fairly fast. That is where the username comes from and it is the one I use on other forums.

I do have a couple of questions as well. I am an active forum user for my 2000 SS Camaro so I know how forums work and how valueable the search function is. I did search a little but came up short for my particular model. I was wondering if there is a rear deck extension for my boat. The current platform is so small and the ladder is pretty difficult to use for some people. Anyone point me in the right direction or know what platform extension, if any, is available for my boat? Second question is about thru-hull exhaust. I like the sound of an open exhaust V8 (the camaro is cam'd with full bolt ons and is loud) and was wondering if anyone had thru-hull exhaust on thier 18' Horizon? Also, is this even possible on my boat with them motor being pushed back so far? This is something I could probably tackle myself as I am fairly mechanically inclined. I have done all the motor work and mods on my Camaro. Anyone have any idea how much it may cost? I like the idea of the captains call but I assume that would be even more expensive. I have a cutout on my Camaro and it is nice to be quieter when needed.

Any help is greatly appreciated and I look forward to learning more about my boat and the general boating experience. I have been boating for quite a few years but there is always something new to learn.

Sorry for the long post as well! I will try to get some pics of the boat this weekend when we take it out.

-Andy

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1998 Four Winns Horizon RS - 5.0GL
2002 Avalanche - Tow vehicle

Welcome to the board

You can purchase an extended swim platform. Several companies make them. One is http://www.swimplatforms.com From what I have heard they run about $1500

Good luck

Welcome Andy,

Should be somebody here that can address the potential thru-hull conversion. I would certainly think that it can be done.

As with you, my user name comes from past forum attendance, and my day job (I sell BMW parts). I'm an old Detroit hot rodder (grew up cruising & racing on Woodward Ave in Detroit). We recently sold our 2000 WS6 T/A which was running just a couple HP shy of 400 at the wheels (no spray).

Got any photos of your rig?

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Gordon Arnold
New Hampshire

2003 268 Vista ..................................................................Prior: 97 245 Sundowner

Welcome!
It's been discussed and usually concluded the cost doesn't outweigh the benefit. You may want to study your engine bay to see what could be done. Most likely will need manifolds that can be fitted with the large hoses & exit strait out the back.

BTW, Had an '87 GTA I swapped the tuned port for a '93 LT1 back in '99. 398HP @ flywheel with cam, head work, & tune. (username)
Just picked up a C5 Z06 yesterday. Still a little giddy...

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H210SS 6.2
F150 Platinum

Welcome Andy! Swim platform should be an easy add on. Not sure the captains call will be worth the while. Might be easier to include that one on the wish list for your next boat. Looking forward to posting some pics. Welcome again!

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Norris Lake, Stardust Marina, Andersonville, TN
2005 Four Winns 230 Horizon 5.7L Volvo Gi/DP
2001 Maxum 1900SR 5.0L V8 (Sold)
2011 Nissan Armada Platnum

Thanks for the welcome guys.

I assume you would like pictures of my boat? I do not currently have any good ones.

Brent, that sounds like a nice car. I would love to own a C5 Z06. In stock form they are quick. My car now puts down 390 to the wheels on motor. Over the winter I plan to throw on a set of aftermarket heads and maybe switch the cam up to something that is more friendly to the valve train and likes spray. We will see.

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1998 Four Winns Horizon RS - 5.0GL
2002 Avalanche - Tow vehicle

I've got a 2001 Horizon 180LE and I just purchased and installed a top mount swim platform from swimplatforms.com this spring. It cost me $1400 including shipping to Indiana. Installation took about 3 hours with two people. I checked on a factory platform from Four Winns, and the dealer was going to charge me $1800 plus I had to buy all the hardware to mount it.

I would say it was a good investment as it added a lot of usable space and reduced the risk of someone slipping and hurting themselves on the small integrated platform that was on the boat.

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2001 Four Winns Horizon 180LE, VP 4.3GL/SX
2006 Ford F-150 Extended Cab 4x4, 5.4L

It's nice to have someone join the board with a real intro post.

I had a '75 Camaro and an '84 T/A. Gotta love F bodies.

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

I smell a thread drift!

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H210SS 6.2
F150 Platinum

I agree the swim platform will be a nice addition to your boat - they are pricey, but is something you will get a lot of use out of. As far as the thru hull - i think your money could be better served elsewhere.....for the price of a good system you could throw on a tower if it doesn't have one already. You need and think about how long you intend to keep/use the boat before adding anything. Keep in mind that you will not get any of your money out of the additions in the event it should be sold.

However, if you plan on keeping that boat for years and years have at it and enjoy....a thru hull system is much cheaper than buying a new boat.

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


08' H210SS
VP 5.7Gi

You suck!

OK, to the issue of thru-hull... the first thing you MUST be aware of is that boats are not cars. If you like the sound of thru-hull enough to spend the coin on it, JUST for the sound, then power to you. But don't think for a second that it'll do anything at ALL for performance, because it won't. Just friendly advice... we've had a few "car guys" register here who just refuse to believe that thru-hulls and Mr. Gasket stickers won't make their boats go faster.

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

Mr.Gasket stickers ! Awesome Mike!!

BTW, TapOut stickers on your car make you tougher though........

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H210SS 6.2
F150 Platinum

Welcome Andy! I'm in Urbandale myself. Where you planning on boating? Saylorville? I think the ramps are back open again but the debris I hear is quite thick.

Check out that swimplatforms.com place. You'll want that platform low and close to the water line. It sucks to sit on a platform and barely have your toes reach the water.

Also there is a fiberglass guy just south of DSM that I just had some work done by. He actually advertises aftermarket platform installs so I'd check who he buys them from.

http://www.iowaboatrepair.com/

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2005 Horizon 210, 5.7L Volvo

Brent, that is a sick 3rd Gen. My Dad had a 91 Z28 that I wish I would have bought before he sold it. He now has a 98 SS that is basically stock. I wanted to do a LS1/T56 swap in his 3rd Gen. I am on my third 4th Gen now. Had a 95 Z28 that had 31k on it when I bought it. Sold that three summers ago to buy a 99 Z28 from Colorado. Wanted the LS1. Sold that a month later and bought my current 2000 SS with 10k miles on it. Right now she is currently down though . Grinding 4th gear pretty bad. Pulling the tranny Friday to get it rebuilt and will install a clutch that can handle the power. Here are some pic of the SS. They aren't the best but I am at work and that is all I have to work with at this time.



I like the ass end


Video of walk around for anyone interested


Mike, we do go to Saylorville. We used to keep our boat out at Lake Panorama but that gets fairly expensive and no one was really using the boat much out there. I live in Ankeny and the drive to Saylorville is quite easy. I will check out the guy you mentioned also. I do have some things that need fixed on the boat. 12 years of boating takes a toll on the Fiberglass for sure.

230Mike, I know that boats are not like cars. I am not looking for anymore perforance out of my boat. The 5.0L in an 18' boat is quite adequate. I just like the sound of a V8. I do plan on eventually getting a bigger boat so I probably wont throw too much money into the current one. No stickers here for me either. I am not one of those "car guys", ha.

Thanks all for the welcome. Look forward to meeting any of the local guys too!

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1998 Four Winns Horizon RS - 5.0GL
2002 Avalanche - Tow vehicle

Lets see some pics of the boat and the SS. I had a 1999 Camaro SS red as well with t-tops. Boy I miss that car but it was an auto and I wanted a 6-speed so I traded it in on a red 04 GTO 6-speed which I heavily modified, but then had kids and had to sell that one to.

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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)