www.iFourWinns.com

Firstly, where the hell are all the SS drivers here on this site! It seems like for a while there was a lot of banter back and fourth between SS drivers. Lately however it seems like most of what I see is from the larger boat folks.

Anyways, I wanted to hopefully hear from a lot of you on this question: How many of you have GPS (speed tested) your boat? what speed did you see? If you reply, list your engine, outdrive, and prop set up. Im looking for numbers with setups close to mine to compare. I have the 350 MAG MPFI-Bravo 1, factory issued prop. Also, it would be cool to see some photo's and video's of your boat if you have them..


Jim


PS. We need to have an SS club so to speak.

_________________
2011 H210 SS
MerCruiser 350 MPIC/Bravo I 300hp
"Crooked Wake"


Prior Boat
1999 Bayliner 1950 CL

The SS guys are quiet around here lately. Some are selling, or have sold there SS units and are looking to move into cruisers.

As far speed is concerned, I believe the Four Winns published speeds are attainable with the standard equipment. Change the prop you'll gain a lmph or two but that's about it.

_________________
Marc, Kathlin & Nathalie


'89 Chaparral Laser 32

'93 Vista 245, 5.8L w/ King Cobra

Former Boats
'01 H260, 7.4 VP Duoprop
'98 H200, 5.0 GL w/VP SX drive

Millhaven is right. The FW sight is just about spot on as far as what you can expect out of your boat. GPS data from the few SS owners on this board will be no different than what is published. (give or take .083 mph and 52.689 RPM)

You can try and start a club, but it will most likely be a small one. Probably before your time, but the club might be about the size
of this one.

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

Current Boat: 2004 Chaparral 235 ssi cuddy

Cap'n you find the best tidbits to post.

I have a gathering of the He-man club just about every Friday night in my garage September through April).... Neighbours, beer, woodstove, video entertainment from the two 32" TV's etc... Goodtimes.... Late nights and PO'd wives most Saturday mornings. Fortunately i'm smart enough to stay sober and head to work by 6 am before Momma wakes up

_________________
Marc, Kathlin & Nathalie


'89 Chaparral Laser 32

'93 Vista 245, 5.8L w/ King Cobra

Former Boats
'01 H260, 7.4 VP Duoprop
'98 H200, 5.0 GL w/VP SX drive

Sold my SS after hving is one full season. Love the look, fit and finish of the SS, but in the choppy water we have she just didn't ride nice enough for us. I have run into the new owners of her a few times and they love it though. Now if they made an SS with a cuddie and say about 23-25 ft. I would be game for another one.

_________________
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)

Well I have to at admit one thing, Ive been looking at pictures of cruisers and have been wondering what it would be like to have one. It would be very cool to travel the coast of Lake Michigan and hit all the really cool spots in Northern Michigan. I suppose later in life it may be an option. In fact I've already picked put my cruiser if there ever is a time later in life. For now, I guess Im still a speed demon of sorts (water sports and such). Not to mention it sure would be hard to justify a cruiser when we have a cottage ....... , it doesn't float and you cant go from place to place, but it sure is awesome for us and the kids.


Jim

PS, DONT TELL ME WIFE IVE BEEN LOOKING AT CRUISERS.

_________________
2011 H210 SS
MerCruiser 350 MPIC/Bravo I 300hp
"Crooked Wake"


Prior Boat
1999 Bayliner 1950 CL

Well....I am still here....although mine is for sale. I dont see it selling before the Spring season, and thats probably ok. I am working on a cruiser deal...who knows if it will pan out or not in the end...we will see. The boat I am looking at is a great boat...but for some reason, I am feeling like I "might" be settling a bit...we will see how things pan out.

At any rate...I have had mine on GPS and its all stock with the 5.0L Volvo setup. My boat is rated for 54 mph by Four Winns and I think thats about what it ran...maybe a mile or 2 each way. I honestly dont get caught up in that much to let it tweak me.

Our home is on the lake (no dock allowed) but we still want a cruiser.

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

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

Hey Verpoort!
If I had a cottage like that I would still be the owner of my H260... Bowriders are perfect cottage boats because you can do watersports, cruise around some and go back to the cottage when you need to get off the water (weather, pee breaks, kid boredom etc..)

But if you want to spend extended days, entertain guests and camp overnight on the water you need to move in to a cruiser. Most people (including myself) jump into boating with an economical purpose (ie. Bowrider) and get hooked on that "style" of boating but when they really analyze things out they long for some necessities to make the days more pleasureable. Some buy cuddies or sport cruisers (ie. Baja style) or they move into cruisers. The SS boats seem to be a high-end stepping stone that most people move away from within three years.

_________________
Marc, Kathlin & Nathalie


'89 Chaparral Laser 32

'93 Vista 245, 5.8L w/ King Cobra

Former Boats
'01 H260, 7.4 VP Duoprop
'98 H200, 5.0 GL w/VP SX drive

V,
Do a search on our prop threads... we've beat the subject of prop/slip and speed to death on this forum.

_________________
Walt B
"Debt-Charged"
Black '07 H210SS
6.2L Bravo One turning a 21P HIFive
Wakeboard Tower with Perfect Pass Stargazer version
Missouri River; Kansas City, Mo.

Well said. The SS boats are eye candy for go fast wanna be new boat buyers. They see the gleaming,decaled boat, with race car loud exhaust sitting in the show room, and get delusions of grandeur. Fast, cool looking, and new. All those things wear off in a short span of time, then you are left with a boat that is worth lots less than just a short time ago, and find that it does not really fit your needs any longer, so you sell it and move to something different. Not true for everyone that buys the SS boats, but I have seen the scenario repeat itself many times over the years.

I also agree that if I had a cottage like that, I would own some type of bowrider or CC that would handle Lake Michigan on occasion and still be trailerable to other lakes and rivers. I would not be a cruiser owner.

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

Current Boat: 2004 Chaparral 235 ssi cuddy

Steve dont settle you wont be happy, you have plenty of time for the right deal to come around.

A SS is by no means a go fast, made to look fast but thats it. I bought one of the first ones off the SS line in 06 and still have it. That lake property is a way better investment then any cruiser. Stick with the bow rider and sleep in a lake house, thats what I do and dont see a change anytime soon.

_________________

Joe....my house IS on the lake....




Now what?

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

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

Talk the corp into letting you build a boathouse and you are in heaven.

_________________

Interesting Cap'n! At first I wasn't sure how to take your negativity on the subject. I prefer and do much better with an objective approach, but in the end I respect your opinions. Thats kind of what we did. I think the SS offers us great boat for our lake as well as some boating on Lake Michigan as our other home is on the west side of Michigan. If I were overly concerned about the return value of my boat, then honestly I wouldn't be a boat owner period. All boats are money pits and you never get what you paid for it, weather its an SS or a 35 foot cruiser!


Txjole2, Im glad to hear you still have your SS. I agree with you, its not a "made to look" fast boat that offers nothing but glitz and glamor.

I do like the style of cruising from place to place and having said that I was kind of thinking out loud and for the future. Sell our home down state and buy a nice cruiser so to have that experience also one day. Just random thoughts.

_________________
2011 H210 SS
MerCruiser 350 MPIC/Bravo I 300hp
"Crooked Wake"


Prior Boat
1999 Bayliner 1950 CL

I think really the SS is a nice entry level go-fast boat for smaller lakes which is the intention of FW IMO. For bigger water no it is not a good boat as we found out and the only reason we sold ours. If I had a house on the lake I would probably have kept it, but for our all day excursions on rough water we wanted something that would handle the water and also provide not only a small part of shelter, but at least a porti-potti which our current boat does pretty well. Plus it still fits my need for speed! ON the other hand If we could afford a nice size cruiser that still did 50+ MPH I would be all over it! Perfect boat for us really would be a Baja .38 Special, but a little out of our league right now. Not sure how it gets much better than the .38 Special. They do 50-60 MPH and still provide all the same amentities of a cruiser. Here is a link to my dream boat!

http://milwaukee.craigslist.org/boa/1906181369.html

_________________
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)