www.iFourWinns.com

Thanks for sharing the footage of your boat Simon

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Ardy
Adelaide South Australia
Red H180 3.0 Merc

Well guys, the boating season is in full swing in Oz right now.

Went out yesterday into Port Phillip Bay in Melbourne - was a little bit misty to start with, but turned into a beautiful 30C day in the end. Launched at the Warmies (Newport) and the ramp was pretty busy - saw the first of the ramp arguments for the season - some bogan trying to push in and not wait his turn. Decided he was more important than everyone else so shouldn't have to wait.

Some pics:

On the way out off Altona


View of Melbourne from the water

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Alec

2006 Horizon 190
VP 4.3GL/SX, Sunsport

Cool Alec - we've been out once this year so far, launched at St Kilda and went round to Altona and back, it was a bit lumpy.

Next weekend we'll be out again, either on the bay or Hazlewood.

JB

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2010 Crownline 180BR
3.0 litre Mercruiser
Onyx black Narrow hull and middle deck band
Bimini/Targa, Bow and Cockpit canvas
2000kg tandem Dunbier trailer

Tow vehicle - Nissan Pathfinder Ti

Far out this thread still runing?? The only pic I have to share was taken in April this year at Murray Bridge. We all braved the early morning (First Ski at 7am) this was taken at around 830 am.

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Ardy
Adelaide South Australia
Red H180 3.0 Merc

Hey guys. Yup I'm another FW owner from Aus. About a month ago I very joyfully took ownership of a Horizon H230 Mercruiser 320hp Bravo. There's always something that seems to need doing at the mo.. but it's a labour of love!

I'm based on the northern beaches of Sydney, and just put the boat onto a mooring in the harbour for the summer.

So the one major prob I'm hoping some fellow aussies may relate to is that she's leaking water Have fixed the auto bilge and now have been told it's likely down to the bellows. Has anyone had these replaced? Or even tackled it themselves? How much coin am I about to drop? I was told about $270 in Aus for the bellow kit, plus 3 days on slip doing the work.
Man these boat things are hitting me where it hurts!

Also, any good sites for ordering parts from the US?

cheers
Chris

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2005 Four Winns Horizon 230 - Mercruiser 320hp 6.2L V8 Bravo

Hi Chris - welcome aboard!

Yep, the bellows need replacing regularly. $270 is a bit high, but still cheaper than a Volvo Penta! I buy all my parts from
http://www.marinepartsexpress.com/ I have always found them great to deal with, excellent prices, and quick delivery. They have Merc stuff as well. I would definitely recommend them to all Oz boaters.

How often to replace the bellows? I guess if it is always in the water, every 2 years. If it's trailered and carefully stored out of the water like mine, every 5 years max. Can you replace them yourself? Yes, but you need a trolly / stand arrangement to remove the outdrive as they are quite heavy. There are also a few 'gotchas' for the unwary - for example on mercs the 'o' rings are a big thing. Get them wrong and it will overheat and you have to do the job again! I suspect yours may be original, so definitely due for replacement.

I would think it would take about 4 hours for an experienced operator to do the job, so get a couple of quotes. I have to take mine in and get it done this winter. Bought the bellows (plus lots of other bits like oil and fuel filters) from Marine Parts Express at about 30% of the local VP price. I'll just take mine in to the local boat dealer one day and get the bellows replaced locally and get the gimbal bearing checked, engine alignment checked and unis checked while they are at it.

As they say Chris - you know what BOAT stands for?? Break Open Another Thousand...!

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Alec

2006 Horizon 190
VP 4.3GL/SX, Sunsport

Anyone know where I can get a starter motor relay from? Ive had a look at repco and autobarn but they dont sell these kind of relays.

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Peter

2005 four winns sundowner
8.1L VP 375hp
http://s254.photobucket.com/albums/hh117/4winns/

Hmmm Repco would have been my first choice Peter. Maybe try a local autoelectrician? Otherwise order a new one from the US... I use Marine parts Express - delivery is usually 5-7 days to Melbourne.

If you're desperate, call J.J. Marine Craft (used to be in S. Melbourne - now in Fotscray or something I thing, JV Marine in Springvale, or Fleet Marine in Seaford...

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Alec

2006 Horizon 190
VP 4.3GL/SX, Sunsport

Well I gave jv marine a call ( laverton store ) and they told me they don't deal with Volvo penta engines so I then rang the other store but got no answer. Ended up googling it and found aqua marine in Seaford. They had one left for $30 odd dollars. Going down on Thursday to pick it up. I wasn't aware that fleet marine was still around Alec. I thought they closed down

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Peter

2005 four winns sundowner
8.1L VP 375hp
http://s254.photobucket.com/albums/hh117/4winns/

Yep - just had a search - Fleet Marine went into voluntary administration (liquidation) in April this year... a shame how they got it so wrong... they had the right products and the right prices but never followed up with their customers. Service used to be good until their service manager quit a couple of years ago, so I never went back.

I forgot all about Aqua Marine - I have bought from them before as well - real good to deal with, but killer local VP prices! $30 for your solenoid sounds like a bargain. Not many things from VP that cheap!!

Surprised about JV - I was under the impression that they serviced VP... I was going to drop my boat off there this winter to get the bellow replaced at Springvale as it's real close to where I work. I'll have to give them a call.

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Alec

2006 Horizon 190
VP 4.3GL/SX, Sunsport

Yeh I was surprised at how cheap it was. Usually VP part prices are through the roof. Springvale do VP as I took my boat there to get serviced last year. The only reason I didn't get tue solenoid off them was because they wouldn't pick up their phones.

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Peter

2005 four winns sundowner
8.1L VP 375hp
http://s254.photobucket.com/albums/hh117/4winns/

Yep - I reckon JV would be flat-out at the moment with the Xmas break coming up and everyone wanting their boats prepped. Aqua marine also do boat servicing apparently... check it out when you are there and let me know what you think Peter - maybe an alternative to JV...

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Alec

2006 Horizon 190
VP 4.3GL/SX, Sunsport

Went down yesterday to pick up the relay. Its a smallish place but they had quite a few boats in there getting serviced. Outside was this all black regal bow rider waiting to get picked up. never realized how nice regals were till I saw that one.

Going down to the boat sometime next week to see if the boat will start. Hoping its ready by new years eve so we can go down the yarra and watch the fire works. Anyone else going to be down there?

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Peter

2005 four winns sundowner
8.1L VP 375hp
http://s254.photobucket.com/albums/hh117/4winns/

Another one from Melbourne. New to boating. Mainly been around jetski's. Purchased a H180 mid 2011 and enjoying it.

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2008 Four Winns H180
VP 3.0GL / SX

It will do for now.....

Hi Pete - welcome aboard. Happy to help with any FW questions you have as are most others.

Where abouts do you go out from? I use either Patto River or the Warmies in Newport depending on the weather. I also spend a bit of time on the Gippsland Lakes and tow as far up as Batemans Bay.

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Alec

2006 Horizon 190
VP 4.3GL/SX, Sunsport