www.iFourWinns.com

In this thread, you share ONE thing that you do when you commission your boat for the summer every year. This could be something you learned from personal experience, or something you do every year that you just heard should be done and you wonder whether it is correct or necessary.

Please pass on your knowledge and keep it short!

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Paul
2007 Four Winns Horizon 220
Mercruiser 350 Mag MPI w/ Bravo III Drive
2004 Ford Explorer Limited (V8-AWD)
Pomme de Terre Lake (Southwest Missouri)

One year, our pump hose somehow loosened and dripped hydraulic fluid into the bilge. The fluid drained out and then dried over the winter on the gravel storage unit floor. Somehow, we didn't notice it and there was just enough fluid to get the drive up at the beginning of the next summer. Once we got it in the water, and dropped it down, that was it. We didn't retrieve the boat until sunset and the lower unit wouldn't go up. No fluid with us, so we had to manually raise it.

Now, I always check the hyrdraulic fluid to start the year.

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Paul
2007 Four Winns Horizon 220
Mercruiser 350 Mag MPI w/ Bravo III Drive
2004 Ford Explorer Limited (V8-AWD)
Pomme de Terre Lake (Southwest Missouri)

Check all fluids, even if the dealer last had anything to do with them. Pull props to make sure the shafts are greased well, since they have to be removed by the dealer to change the drive fluid.

BTW, I keep a bottle of Volvo trim/PS fluid in the boat, as well as a bottle of Volvo drive lube (probably don't need that though).

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

ALWAYS check fluids then start in the driveway on the hose, and let it run for 15+ minutes. Run trim up and down a few times, listen for cavitation. Test all gauges. Test steering. Inspect steering (before every run actually). Test trailer tire pressures and adjust. Grease bearings. Throw in the life jackets and ropes and stereo head, then off to the boat landing!!

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Previous Four Winns: 2003 Freedom 180, 150 Johnson XL, purchased new July 2005, sold Sept. 07
Current Four Winns: 2002 Horizon 170, 115 Yamaha V4, purchased May 2010 from family friend.

Leakdown test among many other things.

Pull it to the dealer. And check supply of Mardi Gras beads.

Put the drain plug in with some fresh pipe stick....

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Guns kill people like spoons make people fat.
2007 Horizon 190 Gxi
97 Pathfinder SE 4x4
73 International Scout II

Check ALL hose clamps. Especially before starting the 1st 3 seasons on a new boat. After that they probably won't loosen much.

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