H190 or H200?

[RKramer]

We're looking to buy a boat to keep in the garage.

H190 is fine, but we want bigger/fancier H200.
Problem is, max height of garage entry is 2m. (H200 on trailer is 2.04) Wiight with fuel is 2 tons and maximum that car can tow is 2 tons which is "on the edge" of possibilities.
Comparing to other 20 ft boats H200 is only one we can find that is supplied with one-axle trailer.
We need to turn the boat manually in the garage so this means it's the only 20ft boat we can actually park in the garage.

Anyone is keeping H200 in urban environment? Should we go with more manageable H190?

 

[jacknbella]

Re: H190 or H200?

I think there is a regulation somewhere that says any boat 21' and longer must have 2 axles. I could be wrong though.

Another thing to consider with boat/trailer weights is the MAX tow capacity of your hitch. It may be rated at 4000 lbs but I was always told to never go over 90% of it rated MAX capacaity, in this case, 3600 lbs. If you are worried, you may consider googling it just to be sure.

I would also check the height of the boat on trailer too. Most standard garage doors are 84" tall, yet most boats in the 20-21 foot range are "REALLY" close to that height. With a smaller boat, you should be OK though.

Good Luck!

 

[BaileysBoat]

Re: H190 or H200?

Buy the bigger boat, thats the one you really want.
As jacknbella said measure very carefully because your door is probably only 84" high at best.

We had the same problem, Trailer 102", boat 92" high the trailer. A "cheap" solution in our case was to remove the existing roll up door and install a 12 x 8 sliding door. Cost about $600 and looks great.

Thats a heavy boat. Do you tow a lot? Make sure the trailer has brakes. I see in the website Four Winns has a "Rugged Duty Towing Package giving you disc brakes and bigger tires. A lot of times they package the boat the minimum legal trailer to keep the price down. My dealer wanted to supply a single axle without brakes, But I insisted on a tandem with brakes, and I'm sure glad I did. My Suburban stops better with the boat than without.

Your tow vehicle isn't going to cut it, even with an H190.

 

[jacknbella]

Re: H190 or H200?

Just the other day, our local news reported a motorcycle death on a rural highway when a boat disconnected from its tow vehicle and crossed the centerline, killing the motorcycle rider instantly. The driver of the tow vehicle was arrested for involuntary manslaughter or something similar. I do not know any specific details of the accident but it could have been a heavy boat behind a small vehicle, then again, it may have been something entirely different. Just thought you would want to know some of the possible consequences of an under-sized tow vehicle. Sorry for the dramatics!

 

[davidfhare]

Re: H190 or H200?

I chose the H190 over some of the larger boats for a number of reasons:

1. Cost
2. It had to go in my garage. The H190 just fits. The folding tongue is a nice standard feature of the Four Winns.
3. Towing. My tow vehicle is rated at 5,000 lbs. Fully loaded (fuel, gear, battery, etc.) I figure I'm just north of 4,000 lbs.

That said, if you're going to have regrets, go with what you want. Just be sure you have the storage and towing situation worked out. Having it in the garage sure makes going out for the day a lot easier.

 

[jacknbella]

Re: H190 or H200?

You're killing us... Send pics of your new "toy"!!!

 

[Lou C]

Re: H190 or H200?

I have an old 200, it's bigger than the newer ones by about a foot or so (20' 9") and I tow it on a single axle trailer. For short trips it's OK but longer trips a tandem is better because then you can have 4 brakes for more than adequate stopping power. I think for the longevity of the boat, being able to put it in the garage is a GREAT plus, that will keep it looking new and it will sell for more if the seats and gelcoat are not faded by the sun, plus no water or rot damage, so I might in this case go a little smaller to get protected dry storage.