www.iFourWinns.com

Probably one of the most frustrating situation I have ever had with our new boat. We have a new 2009 V358, ordered directly from the factory last year. The problem is the Merc Axius system. Let me explain what happened to us. When we ordered the boat we were considering adding some sort of joystick system because we felt that it would significantly increase the sellability down the line.
After a whole lot of discussion we decided to go with the Merc Axius instead of the Volvo IPS system because we were told that the Merc system has a feature called Skyhook (basically keeps your boat in position with the help of satellite when it is engaged). Thought this would be great especially in wind and current......and while waiting to fuel up when the gas dock is busy.
I bought the option at a cost of approximately $24,000 CDN$ (Skyhook was the main reason we went with Merc) and now they won't install the software so it can be operational. Not to mention other features like Yaw control (which doesn't work either).
Anyone out there thinking about buying a Four Winns boat or a Merc Axius system do yourself a favor and go for Volvo and another boat brand (how about Sea Ray).
I am personally making it my mission to spread my strong message on as many chatrooms as possible. Would like to know if anyone else out there got caught up in this scam and whether you were able to do anything about it.

Would appreciate any feedback.

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Denfor
Oakville, Ontario
Bronte Outer Harbour Marina
2009 V358 (Deb's Den)

Are you saying that you were told that skyhook was operational only to find out after you closed on the purchase that it was not? Do you have anything in writing stating that it was operational? I find it hard to believe that the dealer would represent that it was installed when it was not. This is not a four Winns issue. I think some quick research would show that that feature is not being implemented as of now. At least that's what I've read.

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Former owner of:
1996 Four Winns Horizon 200 5.8L VP
2006 Four Winns Horizon 260 8.1L VP
2007 Sea Ray 290 Sundancer

Current boat
2004 Sea Ray 290 Sun Sport Twin 350 Mags

There is no question that the Four Winns dealership sold me that option with an understanding that it included Skyhook. It is more a Four Winns issue than Merc because the feature is operational but I am being told by Merc that Four Winns have decided to not allow the installation of the software on their boats.
I feel very much ripped off.

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Denfor
Oakville, Ontario
Bronte Outer Harbour Marina
2009 V358 (Deb's Den)

Check into Sea Rays...I know there has been issues with Skyhook...can't remember if its operational or not.

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

I've read that Sea Ray owners also don't have it installed. What has your dealers response been to this issue? Are they denying they represented this information to you? Seems to me that you would have a cause of action if you ordered and purchased a feature that they are not providing you. What am I missing? Why did you accept delivery of the boat if you paid for something that you weren't getting?

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Former owner of:
1996 Four Winns Horizon 200 5.8L VP
2006 Four Winns Horizon 260 8.1L VP
2007 Sea Ray 290 Sundancer

Current boat
2004 Sea Ray 290 Sun Sport Twin 350 Mags

It's more of an issues with Mercury rushing a product into production before it is ready, a typical business practice of Merc for many years.
When the boat was delivered, Skyhook was NOT ready, And the software is still not completely available, or bug free. You will get it instaled on your boat, when Merc gets it completely figured out. Who knows when that will be.
The Axius software is riddled with bugs. Merc techs are in short supply due to the amount of problems with the system in the field.

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One of 4 Previous (Sold) Boats:
2000 Four Winns 268 Vista

Current Boat: 2004 Chaparral 235 ssi cuddy

I have a friend that just bought an 2009 310 and it has the Sky Hook.
It works great, so don't believe anyone if they say it is not available on other boats, his is last years model and he has it.. I love my Four Winns but the support has to get better, I needed a part for my port hatch and they told me they no longer could get the parts due to the vintage of the boat. ( it is a 2005 ) give me a break, they actually said I would have to cut a bigger hole in the bow and install a newer hatch. I had the parts made, just two weeks ago the fitting on my transom locker drain broke I called two dealers one said they would look it up and call me back, They never did. The other called me back only to say there boss said he could not spend anymore time looking it up and for me to just glue it, I cobbled one up from West Marine
I operate a large parts business and can't believe how hard it is to work with these people, either the Four Winns parts system is very inadequate or the dealers are.
Not sure what I will do when or if my boat gets a little older.

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Terry
2005 Vista 348
5.7 Volvo I/O

I dont have anything to say about skyhook because we refuse to order Mercury product unless we have to... but as far as the Hatch comment... they are not bull sh*ting you. Vendors come and go very quickly in the marine world. We have to do the hatch repair here and YES it involves cutting the deck opening bigger. It's part of boating life... supercede parts and do what you have to do to get it fixed.

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Bryan Mutter

http://www.twincitymarine.com
http://www.facebook.com/twincitymarineinc
http://www.youtube.com/user/twincitymarine
http://www.twitter.com/twincitymarine

Thx everyone for your replies, appreciate all the information.
Bottom line is I will never purchase another Four Winns boat or any of the Mercury products.
They both seem to wash their hands of any problems customers may have.

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Denfor
Oakville, Ontario
Bronte Outer Harbour Marina
2009 V358 (Deb's Den)

That sucks. Sorry to hear it. Makes me glad I didn't order a boat because it was definitely a tempting add-on. There was only one other Axius owner here who posted delivery pics and then vaporized, so we never got to read a review of the setup. I'd be curious to hear his feedback. This was on an 08 V338.

WOW - I've been reading some reviews from others with the Axius system and they are not good at all.....Sea Ray, Four Winns and Formula to name a few........some have said they were motoring along and the system decided to make a hard turn to starboard for no reason. They also have said they have been reprogramming almost all of them.............hang on and they will have to take care of you since their liability on this thing is HUGE.

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


08' H210SS
VP 5.7Gi