www.iFourWinns.com

First crack at posting pictures....

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1988 18' Horizon, 4.3L V6 OMC Cobra
2006 Chevy Suburban to pull it

This is part of the reason [not all] why I bought it.

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1988 18' Horizon, 4.3L V6 OMC Cobra
2006 Chevy Suburban to pull it

Great looking boat Hobie... we do all kinds of things for the little people. Looks like they're having fun!

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

Wow...looks like it's in awesome condition. Congrats to you and the kiddos!

Have Fun!

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

For me, this endeavor started with a trip to Lake Powell this summer. My wife's family graciously splashed out for a week's trip at the lake. Two houseboats and an 18' Boston Whaler for fun. It was awesome, and served to remind me that my own family used to go boating all the time while I was growing up, time that I loved dearly. I had so much fun and learned so much growing up that way that I couldn't pass up the opportunity to expose my own kids to that type of recreation and experience.

Hence, boat purchase within a month of returning from Powell.

Sappy, but true.

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1988 18' Horizon, 4.3L V6 OMC Cobra
2006 Chevy Suburban to pull it

Nice boat. I like the colors. That would make a great Hawkeye boat here in Iowa. I suppose it will work pretty good as a Buffalo boat too.

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2005 FW Horizon 250
8.1L VP DP

Very nice boat, looks to be in great condition for 22 years old...I have an 88 200 Horizon and the gelcoat is really oxidized...the interior I completely re-did and the boat has a new deck but the outside is the next project. They are a good running hull with a true deep V...the 4.3 Cobra will push it along quite nicely...I may try wet sanding and buffing it this time or else it's time to get it painted....

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88 Four Winns 200 Horizon
4.3 OMC Cobra-4bbl
2002 Walker Bay 10/2012 Suzuki 2.5
2008 Walker Bay 8

1998 Jeep Grand Cherokee 4.0/Selectrac
2007 Jeep Grand Cherokee 5.7 Hemi/Quadradrive II

I was completely surprised by this boat. It was in covered storage for over 10 years, and then sat out covered for another 3, after the owner passed away. 172 hours on the original OMC. Checked out fine at local boatshop, no issues with the engine or lower unit [knock on wood]. I'm planning on waxing it this weekend, there is a bit of oxidation on the hull, but nothing to gripe about.

I didn't even think of the Hawkeye theme, that's great.

I am in the market for a tall bimini, this one came with the full navy cover, which has a bimini that is basically a little higher than the windshield height. I need one that we can stand under. Is Overton's the logical place to find one, short of going to a local boatshop?

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1988 18' Horizon, 4.3L V6 OMC Cobra
2006 Chevy Suburban to pull it

LouC,
Out of curiousity, what prop are you running on yours?

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1988 18' Horizon, 4.3L V6 OMC Cobra
2006 Chevy Suburban to pull it

15 x 17 aluminum prop...it wouldn't pull the specified max RPMs with the 14 1/2 x 19 that it came with....

as far as bimini tops I just put one on my old 88, I actually bought it a few years back but never got around to putting it on. I tried one from Overtons and did not like it because the frame did not fit together right so I sent it back. I wound up with a Taylor made one (frame fit together better) and since I wanted to have an enclosure made (side windows and aft curtain) I mounted it inside the windshield frame using slider mounts on the gunnels. Its a 6' long top that is 46" tall, I can stand under it but I am only 5'9" tall. These boats are a little tricky to mount a bimini on because of the shape of the gunnels...this way it worked out well and the top does not sway at all...

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88 Four Winns 200 Horizon
4.3 OMC Cobra-4bbl
2002 Walker Bay 10/2012 Suzuki 2.5
2008 Walker Bay 8

1998 Jeep Grand Cherokee 4.0/Selectrac
2007 Jeep Grand Cherokee 5.7 Hemi/Quadradrive II

Thanks Lou for the insight on the bimini mounting. I'm gonna have to take a close look at the gunnels to make sure I understand how to get this done right. I was hoping for an easy solution!

As for the prop, at purchase mine had a 15x16, and I haven't changed it yet. The prop/V6 combo pulled me out of the water with three adults in the boat, and I'm a big boy, so I am happy so far with the hole shot. Top end speed is not a real desire for me; this boat is so light and I think will take a beating in any kind of wake, so I don't really feel the need to go excessively fast.

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1988 18' Horizon, 4.3L V6 OMC Cobra
2006 Chevy Suburban to pull it

IF you need information on the Cobra drive system just ask away...I've owned one for 8 years and have accumulated a fair bit of knowledge about them...there are some important differences from Merc drives to know about if you would do your own maintenance...it's a good drive but it's not that easy to find mechanics that know them well...I have a good one in the next town who had gone to the OMC schools back when they were being sold so if I run into a problem I can't solve myself I take it to them...but I have not had to put it in the shop for about 5 years...

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88 Four Winns 200 Horizon
4.3 OMC Cobra-4bbl
2002 Walker Bay 10/2012 Suzuki 2.5
2008 Walker Bay 8

1998 Jeep Grand Cherokee 4.0/Selectrac
2007 Jeep Grand Cherokee 5.7 Hemi/Quadradrive II

Nice find!

I dig the teak deck insert! I wish I could find one to add to our boat.


Looks like a nice find.

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Rob

Present: 1999 Formula 280SS
Past: 1989 180 Horizon

http://www.robcamerondesign.com

Had it out last weekend on a local lake.

Engine is having stall troubles. At idle, will stall after +/- 2-3 minutes.

During throttle up, there are at least two points in the curve where the engine bogs down and almost stalls. The weird part is that once it is up and planing, or towing a tube, it will run fine and without interruption.

Is this a fuel supply issue?

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1988 18' Horizon, 4.3L V6 OMC Cobra
2006 Chevy Suburban to pull it

It could be dirt in the carb primary circuit...
You could try replacing the fuel filters but if it runs good at high speeds it's not likely to be a fuel delivery problem but more specifically a carb problem...
I've had to get my Rochester 4bbl Quadrajet rebuilt 2x in the time I've owned this boat (8 years)....

But first I'd check the ignition system...spark plugs, points, condenser, cap and rotor. Then move on to the carb, check idle speed first, you may have to adjust the mixture needles to get a steady idle. Mine in good tune will idle at 550 rpm without stalling...

One thing that can cause fuel problems but is often missed is the anti siphon valve. It is a spring loaded valve that is mounted on the gas tank and is a saftey device. If the fuel line from the tank to the pump were to leak, this valve will keep gas from siphoning into the bilge. When the engine starts the suction created by the fuel pump overcomes the spring pressure and pulls a ball off its seat so fuel flows...if the ball gets corroded it can disrupt fuel flow. I had this problem on mine and the boat would start and idle fine but would not plane the boat....after a carb rebuild and a new anti siphon valve it ran much better....

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88 Four Winns 200 Horizon
4.3 OMC Cobra-4bbl
2002 Walker Bay 10/2012 Suzuki 2.5
2008 Walker Bay 8

1998 Jeep Grand Cherokee 4.0/Selectrac
2007 Jeep Grand Cherokee 5.7 Hemi/Quadradrive II