www.iFourWinns.com

Hello,
I found a 2004 Horizon 230 that my family loves! It has 150 hours and seems perfect. I have 2 major concerns that I need help with. The engine is a V/P 5.0 dual prop 270hp, is this underpowered???? I have 4 small children so there will usually be 6 of us on the boat. Also, the boat was dry stacked (after being winterized) for 2 1/2 years and put in the water this year. It has only run in salt water here in Virginia, the dealer has changed the fuel pump, impeller, manifolds look good (from what I understand), tuned-up. The boat appears very clean and the perfect family boat. The kids will mainly tube and ski. Dealer provides a 60 day warranty. I have a sea trial this weekend after they tweaked a few things to get it running better (the first sea trial it seemed sluggish but they promise me that all the kinked have been worked out at it runs top notch now). Any help or advise is MUCH appreciated!!

The DP drive helps but I think the boat is underpowered a bit, but thats my personal opinion. When you drive it again with everyone in it, nail the throttle and see how long it takes to get on plane. Even with 5 or 6 people it should take no longer that 5 seconds or so for the nose to come down. If it takes much longer than that then chances are you will have a hard time waterskiing well with it.

_________________
Brian Borchik
The Winds of Cold Springs Harbor Marina
Baldwinsville, NY

Those are fabulous motors... however I agree it may just a bit on the light side for a H230. Take your test drive... ski behind it, take some buddies along to load it up, take someone who knows boats if you don't, AND don't be in to big of a hurry just because it looks pretty (if it does)! I think 99% of the guys here would agree that buying a boat even just slightly under powered is the biggest mistake they ever made. I did it with my first boat and will NEVER do it again. However the fuel injection certainly makes a big difference now...

Oh yeah... be sure to have fun too!!

_________________
Current: 2006 H200 5.0 GXI SX Blue/White
Previous: 2003 H220 VP 5.7 Gi DP
Black/White

I would also tend to agree that it is a bit underpowered--particularly if you will normally run with 6 people and if you have bring a guest or two. I think you are looking at a good size of boat for your needs (23 foot), but I would want the 5.7L or I think you might be frustrated with it. Let us know how the trial goes and what you decide.

_________________
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

I'd bet money that you'll be disappointed with the power in that boat in the long run. The 230 is getting into the heavy range. The 5.7Gi or GXi are far better choices.

_________________


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

Thank you for all the replies so far, please keep them coming! Any thoughts, good or bad, more than welcome.

Having the 240 horizon, I would say your borderline on HP. I have the 5.7 gsi DP which is 280, and certainly has more torque than the 5.0, and I think Im borderline. That being said, more engine, is more money. We have had 7 people total in our boat, with a full tank of gas, and have had no problems as far as EVERYONE ELSE was concerned. Being the captain, I was absolutely looking for more and it wasnt there. All things considered, I am very very happy with the boat, even though its slightly underpowered, since we saved money and it does everything we want it to. The next boat, well, that sucker is going to have twin 525's. (if I win the lotto of course)LOL.

On a side note here, and I may be wrong, but I dont think that 5.0 puts out 270, that may be an embelishment from the dealer, knowing its slightly underpowered. I looked at a 26 foot chaparral deck boat with a 5.0 DP, and the first thing the dealer said when I asked about it being underpowered was, but its a DP, and that makes up the difference. Im sorry, but there is no replacement for displacement.

Sooooooo, I say, if you like it, and your saving some money, go with you gut feelings, it will most likely do everything you ask it to. If you can afford a little more, then keep searching for the higher HP.
Good luck,
Gary

btw... Here are the specs on the 230 you're looking at....
http://assets1.fourwinnsmarketing.com/p ... %20(p34-39).pdf

or for other years http://www.fourwinns.com/past_product/specs

_________________
Current: 2006 H200 5.0 GXI SX Blue/White
Previous: 2003 H220 VP 5.7 Gi DP
Black/White

A correction from above, I checked into it, and the 5.0 GXI is rated at 270, if that is the motor your looking at.

Gary

Lots of seat time on the 220 and 240...and it is way underpowered especially if you plan on having that many people on board. Your kids are only going to get bigger and heavier. I actually passed on a 220 with the same engine/drive package. Keep looking.

Thank you again so far, what I don't understand is how the FW specs for the engines on that exact boat list the WOT to be almost identical? Is that just media hype with an empty boat, etc?

Also, what does anyone think about the boat sitting in shrink wrap for 2 1/2 years without use? That's my other concern. Again, the marina has changed to impeller, fuel pump, etc.

The WOT spec for most GM 5.0L and 5.7L engines is roughly the same. But if, for example, specified WOT on all of them is 5,000 RPM, each of them will generate different amounts of horsepower and torque at 5,000 RPM. That's what more displacement does for you.

Then, within a given displacement family (5.7Gi vs. 5.7GXi), additional features are used to increase the HP even more, such as roller rockers and slight changes to the ECM programming. And for some, thru-hull exhaust and Mr. Gasket stickers.

_________________


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

Apart from the obvious marketing ploy to allow VP and Mercruiser to charge their customers more for more torque for basically no extra cost to VP/MC, I don't understand why GM build both 5.0 and 5.7 motors for marine use. If there were only 5.7's built, the cost per engine would come down, as there would be fewer unique parts required ! There should be no reason for a 5.7 to cost more than a 5.0, apart from possibly a little bit more aluminium for the slightly larger diameter pistons !

Graham

It's all about marketing Graham! Get them in on price with the 5.0 and upsell to the 5.7. You are absolutely correct - there is not real component differences other than piston and crank dimensions, so the actual manufacture cost would be within a few pennies of each other.

In London on business next week, so planning to go to the boat show in Southampton maybe Friday... might see something I like..

_________________


Alec

2006 Horizon 190
VP 4.3GL/SX, Sunsport

OK, I'm hearing the underpowered general consensus, I'll let everyone know after Saturday.
What about the boat sitting for so long? Knowing FW, in what area would you price this boat? My other choice is a 2008 Chaparral that has the 5.7 320, low hours and drives like a dream, but 10k more!! Thanks to all!!