www.iFourWinns.com

It was rough out there and I figured out pretty quickly the H220SS is not really made to tackle any amount of waves without being on plane with the bowcover installed properly. You might ask WTH are you doing lobstering from a fricken SS in the first place LOL I know. Well my buddies boat was grounded since it was too little to go out. Ok the start of the day, 4 friends of mine and I try to go out of the Dania Beach inlet in Ft Lauderdale the winds were pretty wild and the waves from a distance were in the 3-5 foot range not the 2 to 3 foot that the weather channel reported. I called an end to the trip and I heard a bunch of gasps on the boat since the excitement for the two day lobster mini season was in full overdrive. While I was trying to turn around and head back to the marina I take a wave right over the bow. No cover installed in the front so needless to say the damn ski locker area below was pretty much full of water so I look to the right hand side and was happy to see my bilge pump doing it's job thinking there was a bilge in the ski locker area. NOT there is not one in there, it just sends the water SLOWLY I might add to the engine compartment so it can exit with the bilge pump from the engine. Bam another wave says hello we are all soaked and the ski locker gets more water we are all honestly a bit scared! I was off plane trying to manuever and that definitely was not a good idea in these conditions so I hit the gas and she launches up like a champ and we are all high and dry and everyone is happy and safe so we think. I glance to take a reassuring look at the bilge pump doing it's job again and there is no water coming out of the side of the boat anymore and to say the least it was a very horrible feeling it felt like I got punched right in the stomach.

We are finally getting close to the marina when I hear what sounds like splashing water and the engine is running a bit rough at 1200 rpms so I open the engine compartment and low and behold what do I find water splashing around in the engine compartment and the serpentine belt. The ski locker was emptying out the water it had into the bilge pump area but the bilge pump had stopped working for some reason. We finally tie up at the marina while being watched by our escort the coast guard which loved the boat and after being shown the ski locker full of water did not leave our side (that was extremely embarassing considering it was the second time on the boat since I purchased it but it was much appreciated) While we are getting the truck to get it out of the water he says have you tried to see if the bilge pump is just blocked. NO WE DIDN"T TRY THAT! I run my fingers around the bilge pump and it fires up and starts emptying the engine compartment again. Coast Guard guy says it was not a big deal since I was close to the marina but if I was out farther and didn't think of doing that easy fix I might have lost the boat. Needless to say I have signed up for my boater safety course and the boat ran fine afterwards all we did was clear the water, spray her down with fresh water and ran her for a while to warm the engine and get it dried off. We got our full limit of lobster and now I am awaiting the bill for replacing all those clamps on the hoses and going over the engine by the mechanic to make sure nothing serious went wrong. Update no serious issues just the clamps I wanted new and I am now awaiting installation of a second 1000Gph bilge pump in the ski locker to help the one in the engine compartment in case this situation ever should arise again. For six stupid legal lobster I almost sank my pride and joy. Joe in Miami

Glad it worked out. The sea is unforgiving, good thing it didn't make an example of you and your friends.

I'm guessing they don't put different bilge setups into a boat that size and kind because it's not intended for water conditions like that. Boats intended for rougher water and fishing tend to have features better suited for it. Bow riders don't.

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-Bill Kearney, 2005 348 Vista

Please tell me you had taken the carpet out...

Glad to hear everyone's ok. Looking forward to your next adventure.

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

2 bilge pumps is a must on an ocean going boat. Heck, I have two bilge pumps on my boat and it never leaves a 500+/- acre lake (one automatic 500gph, one switched 500gph). The water you described up to the ski locker is easily obtainable in a 30 minute florida rainstorm in my boat even with the cover on that's why I went auto. I HIGHLY suggest you convert that rear bilge to an automatic setup.

If the water is draining slow from the ski locker to the rear, take a hose and blow out the pipe, probably has junk in it.

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1981 Columbia 8.7
2015 Yamaha FZR - 87mph - sold
2006 Yamaha GP1300R - sold
2003 Chaparral 215 SSI - sold
2009 Stingray 195CS - sold
2000 Four Winns H180 - sold
1976 O'day Daysailer II - sold
Rick's Four Winns H180 Mods/Upgrade Thread

Wash down everything in the engine compartment except electrical connectors with fresh water, salt water is bad for any metal...
Bowriders, that are not self bailing, do not belong out if the waves are predicted to be more than 1-2 feet, because all it takes is one big wave over the bow.
I have used my boat in similar conditions in LI Sound and when I see it get like that, it's time to GET OUT OF DODGE....

Keep the bow cover on, run the boat in bow up mode, that's about all you can do.

My next boat is going to be a closed bow boat, with high freeboard and most likely outboard power, that way at least if the weather conditions get worse you don't have as much of a risk of something bad happening...

_________________
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

The factory bilge pump in the engine bay is automatic.

Hard to imagine even considering an SS in any water but the Bay or an inland lake. It reminds me of some people around here that think their pontoon boat will handle some rough stuff on lake Michigan. They quickly find out that it will not.

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

Current Boat: 2004 Chaparral 235 ssi cuddy

Oh cool, glad to see 4winns has stepped it up from the older models. 1000gph too compared to the older boats with underpowered 500s

_________________
1981 Columbia 8.7
2015 Yamaha FZR - 87mph - sold
2006 Yamaha GP1300R - sold
2003 Chaparral 215 SSI - sold
2009 Stingray 195CS - sold
2000 Four Winns H180 - sold
1976 O'day Daysailer II - sold
Rick's Four Winns H180 Mods/Upgrade Thread

I have always added a extra pump and I would wire it to the 2nd battery if you have one. The smaller the boat, the faster it will be overwhelmed. The important thing about this, you made it back and know you know what can happen. I know I have been there and its not a good feeling!

Yup. I've been told my 18ft should really have an auto 1000gph for what you said (smaller boat faster overwhelmed). Sure, we all have insurance but a $100 pump is cheaper then a $500 deductible, swimming to shore, and trying to find a new boat to purchase.

_________________
1981 Columbia 8.7
2015 Yamaha FZR - 87mph - sold
2006 Yamaha GP1300R - sold
2003 Chaparral 215 SSI - sold
2009 Stingray 195CS - sold
2000 Four Winns H180 - sold
1976 O'day Daysailer II - sold
Rick's Four Winns H180 Mods/Upgrade Thread

My old 88 has a Rule 1100 and a Sure Bail auto switch, I am considering adding another one higher up, not too much room down there....

_________________
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

Joe,

I took the course offered by the Coast Guard Auxiliary in Coral Gables Recreation Center and highly recommend it. Its a great course and I honestly believe it should be mandatory to be taken and refreshed periodically by all boaters.

One more thing, here in Miami we boat 12 months a year. While a lot of our friends here will begin the yearly ritual of winterizing you are going to have tons of time to continue the use of your pride and joy. Don't take on risk that are threats to you or your crew. For us there is always tomorrow.

Glad you are safe!

_________________
Walter

2003 248 Vista - VP 5.0 GXi
2009 Toyota Tundra SR5 5.7L 4x4

I'm glad to hear you guys are all safe. My first power boat was a 26' bowrider and I had a couple days like you had. Just a few years ago, a 22' bowrider sank on our lake, just as you descibe. Everyone was rescued, but in the ocean this could have been tragic.

As you learned, the big issue with bowriders in heavy seas is taking water over the bow. Most fishing style open boats are self bailing, the deck is above the water line. Any water that come over can easily leave by scuppers.

With your boat, you really have to keep the water out. That means putting on the bow cover, if you have one. This will let you take a few small waves, but a big one will still come in. The real solution is as you did, drive the boat. You need to keep the bow up and steer around the big waves. You may need to go at an angle to the waves.

You really have to be diligent, this can snowball real fast. Once you have one wave onboard, now the boat is heavier and sits lower, making the next wave even worse. More and better bilges pumps can help but you can still put more water in than they can pump out.

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2008 V358 Two-tone Blue V/P Dual Prop 320 HP
Lake Winnipesaukee, NH

Another great thing is join BoatUS.com for less than $200 a year you can get towed or rescued free plus $14 for trailering cover check them out. I joined just this month and although I only boat inland lakes and river my cost was about $60 for the rest of the year.

Glad your all safe

Ray

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[url][/url]

This is a little worse than I expected it to be. I figured we were going to read another "I forgot to put the plug in" stories.

I am glad everybody is ok.

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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