recently aquired 170 Horizon

rjtrudeau · **Joined:** Fri Oct 28, 2011 5:57 am **Posts:** 6

I recently aquired a 170 Horizon with the inline 4 and a mercruiser outdrive. Does anyone have the same boat? If so how is it...what can I do to maximize my performance? I've yet to take it out. Just got it so it will be in the garage all winter getting ready for spring.

Cap'n Morgan · **Posted:** Fri Oct 28, 2011 7:52 am

You can maximize it's performance by keeping up with routine maintenance (oil changes, filter changes etc) and not gaining any weight over the winter months.

rjtrudeau · **Joined:** Fri Oct 28, 2011 5:57 am **Posts:** 6

HA HA the weight gain is no problem I stay pretty active. I maintain my vehicles and boat the same very routine. What about a prop? I'm looking to get a stainless for next spring....

zseese · **Joined:** Thu Oct 27, 2011 11:33 am **Posts:** 37

rjtrudeau wrote:

HA HA the weight gain is no problem I stay pretty active. I maintain my vehicles and boat the same very routine. What about a prop? I'm looking to get a stainless for next spring....

I'm in the same boat as you (pun intended), just got a 2001 170 and it will be in the garage until next year too, from the research I have seen the factory prop is about as good as you'll get for general performance in aluminum or SS, but the decision will be based on what you use the boat for, cruising, skiing, etc...other wise maintaining the boat, like Cap'n Morgan said, is the best way to maintain performance...at least that's what I have always done on my outboards...

ardy · **Posted:** Mon Oct 31, 2011 5:28 pm

Conundrum - Less people in boat equates to better performance, but the fun isn't shared so the experience isn't as enjoyable as with friends with you in the boat

TX H210SS · **Joined:** Thu May 27, 2010 9:10 am **Posts:** 1488

Personally - if the prop on the boat is not bad then buying another one before you run her around a while is kinda like eating soup with a fork. I would wait and run her to see how she does. I agree the factory setup will be the best all round performing prop, but if you are into watersports you may want to step up the hole shot a little.

If you have aluminum and you are happy with the performance then you can buy a stainless of same pitch/size. I'm guessing that your setup should have top end around 40 to 42ish. That's plenty fast....my usual cruising speed is 35 cuz it's just more comfortable, fuel efficient and I don't go to the lake to be in a hurry.

Remember this - nobody's boat is fastest and when it comes down to it, nobody really cares about top speed unless theyre running the Budweiser rig!

ric · **Posted:** Tue Nov 01, 2011 4:03 pm

I have a 2000 H180 with the 3.0 (VP).

Nobody cares about top speed. It's too windy and loud. I've found that the slowest cruising speed possible is actually the most preferred. You can hear the radio, hold conversations, womans hairs are not in their eyes, and you save gas

Bobaloo · **Posted:** Wed Nov 02, 2011 8:01 am

ric wrote:

I have a 2000 H180 with the 3.0 (VP).

Nobody cares about top speed. It's too windy and loud. I've found that the slowest cruising speed possible is actually the most preferred. You can hear the radio, hold conversations, womans hairs are not in their eyes, and you save gas

I agree.

pet575 · **Posted:** Wed Nov 02, 2011 11:07 am

What year is it?

Was it used in fresh or salt water (or brackish water)?

Slipped or trailer boat?

Answers could vary greatly depending on these answers when it comes to a way to "maximize performance."

Jafo4U · **Joined:** Wed Jun 22, 2011 2:33 am **Posts:** 1026

ric wrote:

I have a 2000 H180 with the 3.0 (VP).

Nobody cares about top speed. It's too windy and loud. I've found that the slowest cruising speed possible is actually the most preferred. You can hear the radio, hold conversations, womans hairs are not in their eyes, and you save gas

Definitely true I have a H220SS and although it can run in the 50+ range I rarely take it over 35 I also tend to stay near the slower on plane cruising speeds. +1 too windy and loud and you definitely lose the tunes.

rjtrudeau · **Joined:** Fri Oct 28, 2011 5:57 am **Posts:** 6

Oh I agree! Cruising is great, I want to hear the music and talk and yes saving gas is BIG! I'm never in a hurry on the water. Its time to relax out there. Funny question....She's in my garage and fixin to winterize but from always being in florida....fairly new to winterizing. I think I have located the strainer to add the antifreeze but...just want to be safe. Its a 140 horse in a 170 Horizon.

ric · **Posted:** Fri Nov 11, 2011 11:41 am

I typically relax in the bow area when cruising to enjoy the scenery (gotta love power steering!). Blah blah blah not safe nazi's I'm sure will chime in cause no one is behind the wheel....

But I've learned one thing. Doing 3100rpm (3.0VP/18p prop) seems slow behind the wheel. Sitting up front in the bow it's fasttt.

TX H210SS · **Joined:** Thu May 27, 2010 9:10 am **Posts:** 1488

Im no safe nazi, but i never have had a desire to leave the helm while underway. If i want wind i stand up or turn helm over to someone else. Over the years I have hit two submerged logs - one threw two of us into the water and swamped our Boston Whaler. The other slammed me into the windshield. Having that happen without someone at the controls could get ugly real fast.

Another time i had to take a large wake broadside because two idiots in Cigarette boats were racing and one cut in front of me and the other passed close on my starboard side. This knocked me to the deck and my boat went into a tight spin (wasn't power steering). This was a 20' Sea Ray.

Just saying there is a lot that can happen with little to no notice - your grown so you decide, but be careful.

Toddely · **Posted:** Sun Nov 20, 2011 8:35 am

It must be the year for fellow boaters to aquire Horizons. lol I just recieved a Horizon 180 RS as a gift from the ol father in law. its a 1997 Horizon RS , It has the 5.7 L GL Omc Cobra in it. Just like you i went down to Florida last weekend and picked it up and brought it back to Columbus Ohio. There it sits in the old garage. Just winterized it and getting ready to put it in storage for the winter. Nothing like getting a boat and having to put it to bed for 5 months. lol I have been asking the same questions as you have. Im curious to see how she runs. Does your boat have the trailer button under the throttle. I was wondering if anyone knew what that does?

Bobaloo · **Posted:** Sun Nov 20, 2011 8:47 am

Toddely wrote:

It must be the year for fellow boaters to aquire Horizons. lol I just recieved a Horizon 180 RS as a gift from the ol father in law. its a 1997 Horizon RS , It has the 5.7 L GL Omc Cobra in it. Just like you i went down to Florida last weekend and picked it up and brought it back to Columbus Ohio. There it sits in the old garage. Just winterized it and getting ready to put it in storage for the winter. Nothing like getting a boat and having to put it to bed for 5 months. lol I have been asking the same questions as you have. Im curious to see how she runs. Does your boat have the trailer button under the throttle. I was wondering if anyone knew what that does?

Pics or it's not true!

Trailer button? Do you mean the button you press to add throttle but remain in neutral?

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recently aquired 170 Horizon

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