24 foot Four Winns Horizon w/ OMC 5.8L -- can I ski behind it?

[towdog]

I am about to buy a 1995 Four Winns 240 Horizon with the 5.8L. The specs say 255 HP at 45-48 MPH top speed. I know the wake is going to be huge behind this boat, but besides that, think she has enough speed out of the hole to yank a skier up? Should I fill only half of the 64 gal gas tank to save on weight? The boat and engine way a combined 3750 lbs. Also, what prop would be best in this situation? I want to go with a shorter pitch for getting out of the hole, though it will decrease my top cruising speeds, correct?<br /><br />Thanks for all the help for a newbie.<br /><br />Trevor

 

[Speedwagon]

Re: 24 foot Four Winns Horizon w/ OMC 5.8L -- can I ski behind it?

I have 2 props for my boat. A 23 pitch for cruising/top speed, and a 19 pitch for when I'm towing.<br /><br />And if you are going to be getting a huge wake, you might consider wakeboarding. You can take advantage of the wake then. With the right prop, you shouldn't have a problem getting it up on plane quickly.<br /><br />And welcome to iBoats!

 

[cobra 3.0]

Re: 24 foot Four Winns Horizon w/ OMC 5.8L -- can I ski behind it?

Wakes are fun with any device whether skiing(maybe not slalom), wakeboarding, kneeboarding, and/or tubing.<br />I have a little boat compared to yours (16 gallon tank), and half a tank of gas makes a notable difference out of the hole and planing out.

 

[craze1cars]

Re: 24 foot Four Winns Horizon w/ OMC 5.8L -- can I ski behind it?

Your motor will have PLENTY of power for skiing, even on that large boat. No problem there.<br /><br />Nobody on this site can give you a prop recommendation until you tell us your RPM at top speed, and tell us what your current pitch/diameter/# of blades are. For skiing/maximum holeshot, you want it running in the upper range of the recommended RPM range for your motor (at full speed). You'll find this spec probably on the label right on top of the flame arrestor (looks like an air-cleaner if you're a newbie).<br /><br />So if for instance it says 4,400 to 4,800, you'll want the motor to be spinning closer to 4,800 when you're running at your top speed. If it's only turning 4,300, you'll want to change to a smaller pitched prop. If you're spinning 5,100, you run the risk of over-revving and you'll want a higher pitched prop. This is an over-simplification, but the general concept holds true. All of this assumes the motor is tuned properly, drive is trimmed properly, and there are no other mechanical problems.<br /><br />Try it with what it's got first with the normal load you'll be carrying on most days. Note the RPM at top speed and report back. And it would probably best if you post a prop question in the prop section of this forum for the most qualified responses. They can help you change if needed.<br /><br />Welcome, and enjoy your boat!<br /><br />Hate to cast a possible shadow here, but beware the OMC if you haven't already gone through with the purchase. I do hope you realize they have been out of production for some time now. Reliable enough rigs if well cared for, but being 11+ years old it'll need some work at some point. I'd recommend you check around to see who is willing to service it and try to chase down the rapidly diminshing parts for you. The boats are cheap to buy because they are obsolete, but sometimes can be difficult & expensive to service. Just a heads-up....

 

[Lou C]

Re: 24 foot Four Winns Horizon w/ OMC 5.8L -- can I ski behind it?

I'd make sure the engine and drive are really a 1995 and not an older year. The original OMC Cobras were built from 86 to 93. In 94 they went into a joint venture with Volvo Penta, and the Cobras built from then on were the same as the Volvo SX Cobra, later sold just as the SX. Get the serial #s off the engine and drive and check with a Johnson/Evinrude dealer to make sure. Then go over to www.dougrussell.com and see if parts are still out there. The only item that is hard to find for my model is the one piece manifolds used on the V-6s, but there are conversion kits out there. Other than that, make sure you check the boat for rot, just like any older boat.

 

[murphini]

Re: 24 foot Four Winns Horizon w/ OMC 5.8L -- can I ski behind it?

Few thoughts;<br />-Unless you are Jabba the Hutt, that rig will yank you out of the water. I have a 1989 Ford 5.0 w/2bbl carb with OMC Cobra outdrive and it is very torquey I'm 200lbs and it grunts me up fine. Guy before me put on a Stainless Steel prop--19"? it is pulls like a champ. WOT (Wide Open Throttle) on my boat is rated at 4400-4600 RPM and it hits it just right.<br /><br />On OMC, agreed with the last poster...little more hassle to find parts and people to work on it, but not impossible. Before buying, find a local guy/shop to work on it. Do preventative maintenance, and if posslble, negotiate a much bigger discount on buying due to the OMC issue. Trust me, the guy who owns the boat now knows that the OMC is a hickey on an otherwise very nice boat.<br /><br />My OMC drive has 550 hours, I've owned for 2 summers and have been religious on checking the outdrive gear lube level. My sense is I have the shadow of death lurking if/when there is a major problem, but the price I paid was low enough that I'll be able to let it go into the sweet hereafter at that time without regret.