www.iFourWinns.com

Just a random rant........My new to me 93 Horizon, I would have to say, after owning at least 20 boats in my 50 years, is the hardest I/O to work on I've ever owned. I spent 2-hours changing a ( expletive ) bilge-pump yesterday with my face in the carpet, feet almost straight-up, feeling around with a stubby-phillips in a bilge that I could not see....... Can't do it this year as the seasons on us, but next year I WILL get out the Sawzall and make a little room...............

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Jimbo
Na. Ga.

2000 170 Horizon LS
4.3GL

LOL. I thought this was going to be another 298 Vista oil change thread.

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Current Boat: 2000 Four Winns 298 Vista
Previous Boat: 2000 Carver 406MY

I just bought a new bilge for my Sundowner 205, I'm hoping that it doesn't take 2 hours.

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1996 4 Winns Horizon 170 SOLD
1997 4 Winns Sundowner 205 SOLD
2000 4 Winns Horizon 230 CURRENT
Tow Vehicle: 2007 Toyota Tundra Limited SOLD
1999 Chevy Tahoe 4x4 SOLD
2003 GMC Yukon XL 2500 6.0

I hear ya! I replaced the bilge pump on my last boat - a 19' Maxum, and it was a PITA for the same reasons. Luckily it seems like like my current 230 is much easier mainly because there is more room to get in places.

Still, working on a boat is rough. I spent yesterday working on upgrading my stereo and today my hands and arms are all scraped up, I have several fiberglass slivers, and my shoulders and back are all bruised up from contorting myself to fit in behind and around stuff.

Oh well, it will all be worth it when we're on the water.

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2005 Horizon 230 5.7 GXi/DP "Nauti Addiction"
Towed with a 2003 Suburban Z71

There can be tough spots on any of the I/O engines, actually the older ones can be easier because they don't have the confounded molded in fiberglass all round the rear of the engine, in the way of accessing the exhaust manifolds, starter and oil filter if it's not a remote unit. My old 88 is actually not too bad, I can change the starter in about a half hr, oil filter is easy to get at after I remove the port side rear seat, the bilge pump is at least not under the engine!

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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

Mine has the said "Molded-Glass" .............. I can see the top starter-bolt.........That's all. And I thought the "Optional" SS seating (bench) was cool....Like Ron White says...." I was wrong"...........

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Jimbo
Na. Ga.

2000 170 Horizon LS
4.3GL

I changed the impeller on the 248 yesterday. Not too bad, took about 45 minutes except for sitting in the engine compartment, right leg on the fuel tank, right arm under my right leg and had to "feel" for bracket bolts. Looked like a circus act! My wife was making fun of me the whole time!

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-Tony
2016 Robalo R200 w/Yahama 200!

Previous boats:
2003 Four Winns 248 Vista - sold
1994 Sunbird Corsair 200 - sold
1980 Checkmate Predictor - sold

I hear ya Jimbo!

Couple years ago I did the bilge pump on my 19' Cobia cuddy--same thing! Couldn't see/feel the screws, etc.....I finally managed to yank the old one out and installed a new one... only later to realize the former was a Johnson Pump, and I could have easily just unsnapped it from the mounting base and snapped a new one in there!! Oh well, the new owner should have no trouble at least! Now I got to do it again on my 238 Vista----looks a bit more accessible though, that's coming up in a couple weeks........hey, it's a boat.

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"For My 50th"
1996 238 Vista
5.7VolvoGL DP
Previous boats; 91 Cobia 19' Cuddy, 87 Starcraft 16' BR,
67 Winner BR, 65 Arrow 14'

I must too admit, my '92 Maxum was easier to get into for these things... spark plugs, bilge pump, etc.... But it not once ever got me laid!

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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.

Those bilge pumps are in a bad spot. I helped a buddy fix his on his 2001 H260 and it was a pain! I'm 6'8", so I have pretty long arms, and I was stretching them as far as I could. After that, I took a good look at mine, and it looks even worse to get at. I've heard of people just mounting a new bilge in a more accessible spot after theirs failed. I may try to head this issue off at the pass and install a secondary bilge where I can get at it. Like everything else, it just takes time and money.

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2005 FW Horizon 250
8.1L VP DP