www.iFourWinns.com

Hello all. I am new to power boating and recently picked up a 2008 H180 with the Volvo 3.0 engine. I have had it out twice so far and have a few questions...

Is there a way to lock the padded engine hatch down? When trailering without a cover, the engine hatch seems to bounce a little. Maybe I'm just being paranoid, but I'm afraid of it opening up and ripping off going down the road. What would you suggest.

The boat does not have an hour meter on it but I would like to add one. Is this a simple thing to do? Any recommendations?

The boat takes about 3400rpm to stay on plane. Is that normal for the 3.0? The engine & boat look brand new and the guy I bought it from says it had less than 20 hours on it by his estimation.

Is it easy to add a bimini top? It did not come with one, only the bow & cockpit covers and a convertible top.

Thanks!!!
Bob

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2008 Horizon 180 Volvo Penta 3.0

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

Current Boat: 2004 Chaparral 235 ssi cuddy

Thanks. The local boat launch is only a 10 minute drive away... too much of a pain to put covers on & off each trip. I was thinking of putting some sort of latch on it to gaurantee it won't open up.

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2008 Horizon 180 Volvo Penta 3.0

The sun pad is pretty heavy, I can't imagine it ever popping up in a 10 minute drive. Maybe if you were heading to the lake into a 80 mph wind going 75 mph.

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

Current Boat: 2004 Chaparral 235 ssi cuddy

I never use the covers when I go to the local lakes, by the time I'd have the covers on, I'd be at the lake. I only use them when going longer distances when we take vacations. I don't know how different your engine hatch is than mine, but I've never had an issue.

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-Rob.


Current boat: 2011 Yamaha AR210
Previous boat: 1998 Horizon RX 4.3GL SX

I had a boat were the engine cover was spring loaded. So every time I hit a good size wave it would open. I used something like this http://www.jamestowndistributors.com/us ... eld+Keeper

As to staying on plane at 3200RPM, I am not sure!! Maybe someone with that boat could chime in. I would conceder Smart Tabs. You will plane out quicker and stay on plane at a lower RPMs setting.

http://www.nauticusinc.com/

Read the last 5 or 6 postings on this. viewtopic.php?f=11&t=8291

on my H180 I don't drive above 60 when towing the boat so as to prevent the engine cover from lifting - that and I keep the windshield closed. I added an hour meter, had the shop do it. The meter itself cost about $75, another $75 to install it. Its located in the stern, under engine cover. They wired it directly to the spark plugs which didn't work all that well, they rewired and now it works fine.

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2010 H180
VP 4.3 190

Engine cover - if yours is like mine you have a center post latch. It is adjustable so you can make it a tighter close. Mine had the same issue and is fine after the adjustment.

My dealer said not to trailer with the bow and cockpit covers....they are made for keeping dust out basically while parked. I have trailered with them before though but do have to replace snaps on a regular basis....it will eventially trash those covers.....really need a trailering cover, which are very pricey. I tow 1.5 hours at around 70 so your too close to the water - move farther away:)

As far as the RPM at plane - check the pitch/size of the prop you have. The prior owner may have stepped down the pitch to get better hole shot for water sports. If that's the case - go back with the standard recommended pitch for that engine/drive setup. You can find that by calling a dealer or researching the boat specs. If this is the case - keep the prop you have as a backup.

Hour Meter - it's personal preference where and what kind to get. Personally i like the mechanical meter and prefer it mounted at the helm (or on bottom side of helm)...it will not lose memory like the digital ones-you can see it working-can look at it without having to turn on ignition or raise the engine cover-cost about 25 dollas at auto parts store....hooking up to ignition will give you ignition on time though as compared to actual engine run time. If like me - it will be the same thing. I don't leave ignition turned on to run any accessories anyway. if key is on then so is motor.

You can hook it up yourself and no need to pay anybody. The one i installed was two wires - one to ground and other to positive when ignition is turned on (on ignition switch).....if not sure hook up the ground, turn ignition to on position and touch wire to post until meter activates.

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http://i1339.photobucket.com/albums/o71 ... wqm355.jpg


08' H210SS
VP 5.7Gi

Bob,

Wholesale Marine is having a sale on bimini tops. http://boats.wholesalemarine.com/index/ ... N-xk/Ne-rs

I have a 14.5x18 on my boat (2000 h180 3.0) and with 4 people in the boat it planes at around 3400. With just me in it on a glassy lake... I can get away with 3100.

I'm moving to a 21 pitch prop and smart tabs in the next few weeks. Aluminum props are cheap. I'm just going to trade at the local boat shop from their used bin. I care more about GPH then anything else.

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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

Bob

Congrats on the boat!

When I trailer my boat, I lay my bimini down over the engine cover to keep it down (I know you do not have one yet). If I leave the bimini up, I see the cushion on the engine cover sort of fill up with air which concerns me more than with the engine cover opening. Not sure if you have the same set up as I do. I have two seats on either side of the engine cover. It rotates towards the bow of the boat to open so it would not open when underway that I could see.

The Bimini would be an easy DIY. Just be careful on the window frames to not break the glass.

The only time I used my cover was to trailer it to the Florida Keys (full boat cover not the snap on covers). I never use the snap on covers. I usually trailer it anywhere from 10 minutes to an hour from the house and never use the top for those trips. I do tie the bimini down so it does not bounce up.

Also, if you have those two seats on either side of the engine, pull them out (battery is under the starboard side) when trailing as the wind can get under them and lift them up.

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2010 Sea Hunt Triton 220 "Big Whiskey"
2003 FW Freedom 180 Volvo Penta 4.3GL/SX-M "It'll Do Four Now" (Sold)
2012 Avalanche LTZ 4X4

Thanks for all the answers everyone.

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2008 Horizon 180 Volvo Penta 3.0

Welcome to the Forum
Mine planes around 2800 to 3000 rev mark. A lot depends on where people are seated and how many are on board.If you have a couple of heavy weights in the rear seats, it will take a few more revs/power to get on the plane. I like the bimini because I can stand under it as well as look over the screen (handy if driving into the sun) and it keeps the sun off.
I am running a 19 inch vengence stainless steel prop
hope this helps

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Ardy
Adelaide South Australia
Red H180 3.0 Merc

Is there a way to siphon the gas out? I can't get a siphon hose all the way to the tank (then heard there is an anti-siphon check valve). I have about a half tank remaining of almost 1 year old gas in the boat and would rather put all new fresh fuel in before winter. Don't have the time to run her in the lake before winter.

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2008 Horizon 180 Volvo Penta 3.0

Just add fuel stabilizer to the tank and store the boat. The fuel in there will be fine over the winter.

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

Current Boat: 2004 Chaparral 235 ssi cuddy