www.iFourWinns.com

I posted a couple of months back that I am looking at getting a settlement from a car accident and looking to buy a boat. Well, that settlement is finally reaching me this week, and obviously the boats I was looking at 2 months ago are gone.

My budget is up to and maybe a little over $20k, depending on what the wife has to say. I know the quality of Four Winns, but I don't know much about other manufactures. For the price range I am looking at, I have seen everything from Cobalts, Chaparrals, Chris-Crafts, Four Winns, and many other brands, mostly in the 2000-2004 range, although there is some variation in there.

I live in Florida, and most days will be spent in freshwater, but the occasional dip in salt, and I understand the additional maintenance with an I/O over an outboard, especially when saltwater is added in, but I keep going back to the bigger boats with the I/O. We are a family of 5, and I would like to be able to easily take up to around 8-10 comfortably, so I was thinking in the neighborhood of 20'-24'.

I can easily post links to some of the boats I have found, but my biggest question at this time is the quality of manufactures out there. I know there are going to be opinions for and against just about any brand, but I need all the advice I can get before dropping this kind of money. Thanks

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2001 Horizon 260
VP 7.4 / DP-SM

I'd say if you want a boat comfortable for 8-10 then I'd get the biggest bowrider (like at least 24 feet, a 20 footer you will be tripping over each other) you can with the max power option....if you are mostly in freshwater, with some salt water use, but not mooring it in salt, then the I/O won't be that much trouble...
You can get a more salt water suited boat with an outboard (dual console fishing boats) but they tend to be more expensive and more spartan. That's OK if you want the more corrosion resistant materials and less fancy seating because that also means less maintenance. The outboard has its advantages, less weight, less maintenance, but more expensive if something goes wrong....

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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

Any of the specific brands you listed are all pretty good names. I think if you find the right boat in good condition in your price range you probably can't go wrong with any of those. I think the best thing for you to do is to think about how you will use the boat and what features might be most important to you (ie: seating, storage, watersports, fishing, short trips, long trips, towing, etc.). Once you think about those things you can start to imagine how the boat will work for your family. Good luck! Boat shopping can be fun (maybe too fun). It is easy to get caught up in the moment so take a deep breath. There is (and will be in the spring) a lot out there, so look around and find the best boat for you.

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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 responses so far. The boat will mainly be used for watersports. It's definitely amazing the price difference for some boats, but like others have said, look long enough and I should find the boat I want at the price I want. Can't wait to get a boat, but I know I will have to have patience through this process.

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2001 Horizon 260
VP 7.4 / DP-SM

To echo the poster above - I think you want the biggest BR or Deckboat you can handle (ie, towing, storing, etc). In Four Winns that's probably a H240/260 or an F224/244. There are some 274 DB's out there but these are HUGE and probably more than you want/need. If you're looking at older FWs, the model numbers go down 240/260 = 230/250 and 224/244 become 214/234.

I have a '99 234 with a 5.7L Gsi/SX. We routinely do 8+ on board with no issues at all...that's a combination of adults and kids. Obvioulsy, there's big difference between 10 large adults vs 4 Adults and 6 kids..ha ha.

We're also in FL, so we do about 70% freshwater and 30% salt. We LOVE saltwater boating, just haven't had as much time lately. I wouldn't worry at all about using an I/O in the salt - but you do have to be proactive and vigilant with the maintenance (ie, use anti-corrosion sprays, flush motor everytime, wash EVERYTHING including trailer EVERYTIME, etc, etc).

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'99 234 Candia Funship, 5.7Gsi SX

If you are doing anything around salt water, it is a good idea to have a closed cooling system. Salt water is a real problem having to flush everything each time you use it and you can never get it flushed good enough so that there will not be rust in the engine. The closed cooling system will keep salt water out of the engine. Good luck in your search.

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Ed in Jeffersonville, Indiana
Journeyman Machinist
Certified Welder
MSF RiderCoach
Aircraft Machinist USAF (Ret)
Viet Nam Vet (U.S. Army)
Streetrod Builder/enthusiaist
Patriot Guard Rider, Disabled Veteran.

Have I mentioned that my boat is for sale....

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

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