1996 Four Winns Horizon 200 Question

[RVguy99]

I'm new to the forum (and boating for the most part) and have been looking for a bowrider for my family of four. We would like to be able to take a couple extra people along also. I've had my sights set on a used Four Winns Horizon 170, 180, or 190. My research has told me that I should be looking for a unit with the 4.3L Volvo/Penta since I plan to slalom ski behind it. No 3.0 Mercs in my future.

I ran across a 1996 FW Horizon 200 yesterday with a 5.0L V8. This is certainly more power than I need, but it's a great deal and seems to be an immaculate boat from the pictures.

Other than the common things to look for on any used boat, are there any problem areas on these particular boats? I've googled that model to death and can't find too much information on any of the 90's models.

Any advice or insight you can offer is much appreciated. I'm going to look at it tomorrow (Wed) afternoon.

 

[Ob1415]

Re: 1996 Four Winns Horizon 200 Question

I have no info or experience with that specific model, but Four Winns are AWESOME boats. Super clean lines and details. The Horizon line is Four Winns "entry level" boat, but are still nicer than most mfg's "premier level" boats. The 5.0 will push that boat nicely. It may be more than what you need, but you don't have to go WOT, if you don't want to (even though I suspect you will want to). If the price is right, i say go for it!!!

 

[infideltarget]

Re: 1996 Four Winns Horizon 200 Question

Welcome!

I had a '98 220H that was bought as a project, and I never actually got it to the water, BUT I did crawl all over it and can tell you this...you will be well served to pay for a survey on it, due to the fact that they have a fibeglass liner over top of a wood deck. This is good for many things, but it makes it very hard to actually check the wood below for rot. Also, if yours has the automotive style gauges rather than a bunch of separate gauges in the dash, double check that they ALL work properly. If one goes bad, you may end up replacing the whole unit instead of just the offending gauge, and that can get pricey. Depending on which seating option you are looking at, it can be quite difficult to reach into the engine compartment to service without having to take a lot of seating etc out. If you have a family of four, and want guests, you do not want anything smaller than 19'...at the VERY least, ans the v-8 would be much preferred if any of those people want to tube or ski while the boat is at capacity.

I personally found the Volvo to be expensive to repair, but if it is in good condition to start with, it should not be too bad to maintain.(mine was crap to start with and was going to cost a fortune to replace). Beyond that, they are great hulls, and should be a good solid boat...if the wood below is good. The 5.0 v-8 is definitely the way to go. That is a heavy hull, and the v-6 I rode in felt weak to me. But I like v-8s anyway, so take bias into account. The 5.7 would be better, and will actually do a little better on fuel under load. Is yours the carb or EFI version? They made both.

I have a couple of things left from mine, if you get this one and are interested. I have a factory cockpit cover in green and in near perfect shape, and a very nice stainless prop. PM me if you want to know more.

One more thing...the 200H is NOT the entry level boat. There is a Horizon that is entry level, but in '96 it would have been only 15-16' long, and would have been the stripped model. The length is what makes an entry level sportboat...at least for Four Winns. The Horizon name simply means it is a bowrider, whereas the Sundowner is the same hull with a cuddy cabin. Four Winns makes a 31' Horizon that sells for over $100k...HARDLY entry level. Just sayin.

 

[Ob1415]

Re: 1996 Four Winns Horizon 200 Question

Bow Riders, in general, are entry level boats when you are talking about mfg's who have Cuddies and Cruisers in their lineups. The H series, when comparing by length, vs. The F series and SL series, are the cheapest boats in their lineup. That's why I said they are "entry level" for Four Winns, solely based off price point for their boats.

 

[LippCJ7]

Re: 1996 Four Winns Horizon 200 Question

Being new to boats makes you a somewhat easy target for someone trying to hide a problem from you the inexperienced boater so having a survey done on your boat is sound advice, the alternative is to have someone who knows what to look for with you. The 5.0 is nothing you can't handle in fact give it a couple years and you will be ready to move up. Four Winns build fine boats but what is more important is the care the boat has been given for the last 15 years so if this looks like a boat you would like to purchase go over every inch of the sole/deck, open the ski locker and use a flashlight to look for signs of rot, take a look at the restoration section of the forums but don't let it scare you, you have not bought anything yet so learn from the mistakes of others that's why this forum is here.

Get the biggest boat you can, a 20' boat is pretty easy to handle right out of the gate, the rest you can learn on the fly, a USCG safe boating class would be a good idea as well

 

[RVguy99]

Re: 1996 Four Winns Horizon 200 Question

Thanks for all the good advice so far. I was not aware there was any wood used in the construction of this particular boat. Maybe it's only newer FW models, but I thought I read somewhere they are wood-free.

I'm not really sure how to inspect for rot if the wood is not visible. I'm big into RV's, and am very experienced in finding rot on those units and know where to look. I figured boats would be similar, but maybe I need to find some expertise to lend to the situation.

 

[jmarty10]

Re: 1996 Four Winns Horizon 200 Question

Second on the boat survey. I dont know where you are located but in my neck of the woods many mechanics turn their nose up at Volvo only because of the lack of knowledge in servicing them. FYI

 

[Dave1251]

Re: 1996 Four Winns Horizon 200 Question

A 1996 Four Winns will have wood in the floor, stringers and transom under the fiberglass. As wood rot it is not uncommon on 15 year old boats, all these areas should be check for wood rot by someone knowlegeable. It is easy to miss wood rot on older boats and it is very expensive to fix.

If the boat has an FL or FI 5.0 Volvo I would also pass this boat. The FL or FI engines are Ford based engines and parts are getting harder to get. Some items like couplers are no longer offered by Volvo Penta and are harder to find. GL, GS & GSI engines are GM based and parts are easy to get.

As for Four Winns are "wood free" just is not true. The 2011 Four Winns still use wood in many areas. Transom on F series are still wood and seat backs on the H series are wood. That being said, Four Winns made a nice boat in the 1990s.

 

[RVguy99]

Re: 1996 Four Winns Horizon 200 Question

Thanks everyone. I went to look at the boat today. This was a desperate seller situation (financial issues) that was asking $7k but very flexible. The boat was a complete disaster. It had been moored on a local lake for much of it's life and it's sun exposure was apparent. The floorboards were wet even though it had been shrink-wrapped for the winter. There was no way I could even make an offer on it, just too many unknowns and she needed to sell today and couldn't wait for a lake test in a week or two when things thawed.

Just way more risk than I wanted to take. Thanks again everyone.

 

[mr 88]

Re: 1996 Four Winns Horizon 200 Question

Smart move.Sound like it was not taken care of and the owner wanted to dump it ASAP. Keep looking and reading this forum for quality info.A decent boat will show up in better shape for less money. Was not worth the 7 in average condition with the outdrive being questionable at best.