www.iFourWinns.com

Hello all,
I'm new to the forum, although I've been logging on for a few weeks to find some great information. I boat primarily in Lake Winnipesaukee in New Hampshire, although I'm looking to get into trailering the boat to some different locations... Boston Harbor/Charles River, and near where I live in Providence, RI, possibly Narragansett Bay down to Newport.

I've been boating in the freshwater lake my entire life, and have never boated in the ocean. Anyone have any inputs on what to watch out for? I know of the "flush out" after using in salt water method. Does anyone think this is a bad idea? I have a feeling boating in the lake and in the ocean are totally different experiences.

Here are some pics of the boat, I bought it last year from a Marina I used to work for as a summer dock hand.

Thanks!
Dan

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2008 Four Winns H210
Lake Winnipesaukee, NH

Welcome! Nice lookin boat....don't do the saltwater thing, so can't help ya there. LouC should be along soon, he will give ya the low down on ocean boating.

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1996 205 Sundowner DLX
5.0FL Volvo SX Cobra
Tow Veh: 2012 Nissan Frontier Pro-4X

LouC can help for sure, but my guess is you will get your "ocean info" from Paul i...............

Welcome !! sweet looking H210 too.

..

BPCS

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

Current Boat: 2004 Chaparral 235 ssi cuddy

Ah yes life in the salt pond...
well your painted trailer will suffer more than the boat...I don't know how many times you can dunk that in salt before it really starts to corrode...I have a galvanized one, I have replaced every fastener on it, (also the axle, springs, and drum brakes I replace the wheel cylinders every 4 years or so). Every year I spay every fastener/springs etc with Corrosion X 2-3 times. So if you want to do this, spray that whole trailer esp the springs, bunk supports, etc with Corrosion X before you dunk in salt.
The boat, will be fine. Be careful in the "ocean" to me the ocean is Long Island Sound, and local bays; it can be smooth or very rough. Summer mornings are usually better than the afternoon unless a front is still passing through.
I always check the marine weather forecast on the VHF radio and on the internet.


I'd keep the bow cover on at first till you can judge the conditions, if it says 1-2 waves, that boat can handle it, if its more than that I would not go out. My '88 can handle 1-2, maybe 3 but then with the open bow not self bailing it gets uncomfortable.
After you get home wash the trailer well and esp flush your disc brakes. They can and will seize up in salt water it just takes longer than for drum brakes. I have learned some tricks to make drum brakes last in salt.
Also run the engine on the water hose and flush it out well. Give the boat a good wash.

If there is anyway you can have marina take the boat off the trailer and launch it for you to save the painted trailer that would be the best thing.

Only the best quality trailer components will hold up in constant salt water use. Painted trailers get destroyed here....

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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

I boat in Nantucket sound mostly and Narragansett Bay a few times a year. We have a H210 which I believe is what you have. I definitely encourage you to get out on the ocean. There is so much to explore and many adventures to be had. We will often put our boat in East Greenwich and head down to Newport for the day for lunch and the shops. It is a great boat ride down past Prudence Island and Jamestown. The big concern in Narragansett Bay is the rocks but we mainly stick to the channels and also use a handheld GPS. Just flush out your engine every time you take it out and clean the boat inside and out and you will be fine. The painted trailer is a concern as Lou mentioned though so you may end up replacing it sooner then you are used to. As stated keep an eye on the marine forecast before heading out. I have been boating in these areas for 20 years and typically things don't get too rough where you feel in danger. As Lou stated, most mornings are great and by the afternoon you can expect 2-3 footers regularly but that isn't something you cant handle from time to time.


Have fun

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2007 Four Winns H210
Previous boat: 2008 Four Winns H180

Tow w/ 2011 Chevy Tahoe

Another thought is to sell the painted trailer while it is in good shape and buy a galvanized roller trailer. Galvanized trailers will last a long time and the roller will be much easier to load in areas with tidal water depth changes....here it's 6-7 feet every 6 hrs. A bunk would really limit us here....

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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

Welcome!!!! Nice looking boat.... If you need parts for the boat or eng/drive we are only 10 mins from Proivdence! Hopefully see you in the store some day!! Your boat will be great in the Bay!!

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Bryan Mutter

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