four winns, worth it?

[lucky7]

not trying to be a smart ***, i am a nube at boating, just wondering what makes a horizon worth 20 25% more than a bayliner or glastron?

 

[MikDee]

Re: four winns, worth it?

It's better made, heavier, stronger, with better material appointments. It is also a deeper vee, which will give you a better (smoother) ride.

 

[OLDSPUD]

Re: four winns, worth it?

Bayliner is a fine boat for what it is, a very dependable usable fishing or afternoon runabout. As in most things, you get what you pay for.

Four Winns, I think came out with their new platform a few years ago, it is day and night different than a bayliner in comfort, ride, noise and stability. I have had and driven many different boats like Cobalt, Sea Ray, and so forth. I actually prefer the Four Winns to anything I have been in (that is in relationship to size and price), they are amazing boats.

It all depends how old the boats your compairing, the newer Four Winns can't be beat for their price.

Spud

 

[mcbridek]

Re: four winns, worth it?

Is it worth it ? That is up to you - but you should look for few things to compare. I am no expert but here is what I show my frends at the boat show - Best to compare at the boat show where you can see all the manufactures at once. 1. Compare/feel the material that is used on the seats, 2. Look at the dashboard and instrument layout, not sure there is a quality difference, but Chaparral and Four Winns are nicer than the "lower price tier" boats. 3. Look at and feel the carpet, thickness/feel and is it snap-in or glued ? Snap in means the boat has a fiberglass floor liner, you can use the boat with the carpet in or out. It is easier to replace, dry and clean. If I have a choice, I would always choose a floor liner (Four Winns 1996 and later have floor liners, Chaparral and Sea Ray have liners). 4. Stand at the rear exterior of the boat and look down the hull - is it nice an smooth flowing toward the front ? Any ripples or slight bow outs ? 5. Look a the engine compartment, how easy can you get to the engine to make repairs (not a strong point for Four Winns, might be better on the newer models, my 2000 requires and hour of removing rear seat structure to get the front of the engine) 6. Look at the hull at the water line in the rear, a Four Winns and Chaparral the hull extends past the engine. this extended hull reduces bow up when you give the boat power from a stand still. Does not help much on the 18', but 19 and above are noticeable (extends further). Don't underestimate this - it is a difference you will notice every time you power up.

I have had four different boats (2 Four Winns, Nautique and a no-name) and for a stern drive I always recommend to my friends look close at a Four Winns - excellent boat for a reasonable, not the cheapest, but an excellent value.

Good Luck !!

 

[Lou C]

Re: four winns, worth it?

Yes FWs are expensive relative to other entry level boats, but you do get what you pay for. The hull design on my old 1988 Horizon is excellent for a 20 footer, it has a great ride and is very stable for its size. It was not cared for well by previous owners, so I had to do a deck replacement. I did this because I always felt safe in this boat, and boating in the bays of the North Shore of LI and LI Sound can be tricky in a small bowrider. Mine has the bench seat in the back and I do have to take it out to do major work on the engine, but the new seating I put in was designed to be easy to remove, with no screws going into the deck (used threaded fasterners sealed with 4200). To pull out the rear seats and bulkhead takes about 15 min. Then you can get at everything very easily. I actually prefer the older models because there is very little molded in fiberglass at the rear to get in the way.
BTW, I priced out a 2008 200 equipped the way mine is and it came out to 42K, the 210 which is closer in length to my old 200 (measures 20'9") was almost 49K!! So I'll be keeping my old one as long as I can.

 

[lucky7]

Re: four winns, worth it?

out of curiosity, how fast it a 20' with a 4.3?

 

[mcbridek]

Re: four winns, worth it?

20' 4.3 MPI - go to fourwinns.net/fastfacts, choose a 20 foot horizon and it will list the top speed for different engine / prop combinations.

 

[wgoodhoofd]

Re: four winns, worth it?

We went 2 full summers at our cottage before I was able to talk my dad into getting a boat. At the boat show, we spotted a 2006 Horizon 180, and it has been a beauty. With the Canadian dollar at such a high position, we were able to pick up the boat for considerably less than usual. Compared to some other American manufacturers it is still a little more, but you definitely get what you pay for with a Four Winns.

The interior material is terrific, the hull carves and holds a turn like nothing else, and the customer service is excellent. Like so many other "premium" products, those that use a Four Winns will often say that they will not buy anything else. I, for one, hope that our Horizon lasts quite a long time.

 

[KSJ08]

Re: four winns, worth it?

Hi newbie here on the forum.
I was over at the Bayliner for the past year.I too am looking to upgrade from an 03 Bayliner 185BR 4.3L to a Four Winns. We bought last year as our 1st boat to see if we liked it. We do & now I want a new boat. I've been looking at a leftover 07 190H 4.3L 190hp Volvo/Penta. I wanted the 220 or 225 hp. Just haven't found one. What is the perception on the Volvo's vs Mercruiser. Other then that the dealer has 4 but we want either the BLK or BLU. I have to sell the 185BR also nothing wrong W/it just always buy new except this 1 time. Any help would be appreciated.

 

[wgoodhoofd]

Re: four winns, worth it?

@KSJ08
That 190 Horizon is a pretty sweet ride.

four winns, is it worth it?

Yes.

 

[KSJ08]

Re: four winns, worth it?

Well traded in the Bayliner 185 for the 2008 H190 4.3L 190 hp standard seating today!!! Pick it up Next Fri. Blue W/RED GraphicsCan't wait ti try it out on the lake.Hopefully the holiday weekend will be nice enough to go!!!!

 

[Skipper101]

Re: four winns, worth it?

Hundai or Lexus, they both have a place in the automobile market as do Bayliner and Four Winns in boating.. Hundai and Bayliner have had to work on cleaning up their reputation and have to some degree, and that is a fact. Four Winns and Lexus Havn't had that issue.

 

[d2honeyz]

Re: four winns, worth it?

Stay away from Four Winns and Volvo Engines. I bought a new 2008 Horizon 180 and every other time I use it, something breaks. Radio, speakers, top, engine cover, trim switch. Small stuff at first, but now impeller goes out and runs hot, power steering pump fails and leaks everywhere, and now throttle cable just snaps in the middle of the lake. As I was holding throttle open manually, noticed bolts just vibrating out of engine. Four Winns name came from a contest, if you can use it 4 times (and you can't) without something breaking, you must win something. If you like being stranded in the water, this is the boat for you. Yea it is under warranty, but it don't help you when you are paddling and have to take it back all the time. If you must get one, see about having ores installed on each side and keep a strong rope on board.