www.iFourWinns.com

It's been discussed many times on this forum but I'll give you my story. I bought my 2007 Horizon 220 with bow and cockpit canvas. When taking delivery I asked about leaving the canvas on when trailering on a long trip. The dealer said it was fine as long as I removed the "tepee" poles and that they did it all the time going to boat shows, etc. Last July I left the canvas on and took a 3 hour trip up the interstate going around 60-70 MPH. When I arrived and took off the canvas my vinyl was rubbed totally through on six different cushions at the stern of the boat. No snaps came loose and the canvas stayed in place but it still happened. When I got back in town and took my boat to the 20 hour service I mentioned this and nothing could (or would) be done by the dealer. The owners manual says not to trailer with the canvas on because it can damage the canvas, but nothing about damage to the upholstery. I decided to appeal to Four Winns and after discussions, sending pictures, etc. they sent me all new six cushions at no cost!! I had to put them on myself which was not easy task but well worth the trouble. I had read many good (some bad) about Four Winns and this reinforced my decision that I bought from the right company. I'm trailering the same trip next week but I won't have the canvas on this time...

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'07 Horizon 220

I always have them on when trailering, but would never do it without the poles. You need the covers to be reasonably tight so that they don't flap against the deck, upholstery, etc.

Stupid dealers.

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Mike
2005 Four Winns 230/240
VP 5.7GXi/DP
1998 F-150 XLT
Boat Pic

I just made a 2 hour drive on the interstate this past weekend at 65-70 mph with the canvas on, but with the poles installed and all was good with mine. I towed my boat home when I bought it the same way for almost 4 hours with no problems as well. My buddy has a 2008 H180 and he took it for a trip a few weeks back with the canvas on and had 8 holes on his swim deckvinyl where the little bungie straps rubbed. I am going to let him know that FW took care of yours and tell him to call. Local dealer told him it wasn't a warranty issue and said not to tow with the cockpit/bow cover on and tried to sell him a trailering cover.

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1998 Baja Boss 252 7.4L MPI Bravo 1 (SOLD)
2007 FW H200SS 5.0GXI (Sold)
2004 Chevy Silverado 2500 Crew 6.0L (tow vehicle)
1991 FW 170 Freedom 4.3L (SOLD)

We always travel with the cockpit and bow covers on....with poles. 1500 - 2000 miles each year. No damage to the uphostery. The cover takes a beating, but it's protecting the boat. We had extra canvas sewed behind the snaps over the windshield after the third year, and that helped a lot. We also had some extra strength stitching put onto the zipper that connects the two covers. Heard too many stories about "towing covers" flapping and scratching the gel coat on the top/sides of the hull.....and besides, the towing covers can be expensive.

Ernie

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JustBreathe
'05 230 Horizon

Agreed with all above...
I typically use the heavier trailering cover. It seems worth the added cost. But occasionally, it's more convenient (access/storage) to use the moring covers instead. In fact I just put them on for my family trip to LOTO tommorrow.

As an aside... I've trailered without covers. My carpet keeps coming up, even with extra snaps installed. Worst of all, my gas milage goes way down. Must be more drag uncovered.

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Walt B
"Debt-Charged"
Black '07 H210SS
6.2L Bravo One turning a 21P HIFive
Wakeboard Tower with Perfect Pass Stargazer version
Missouri River; Kansas City, Mo.

Hi Walt...good insight on what happens when the boat is "not" covered. I can add "lost a life jacket" to that list.... pulled the boat for a short several mile ride for fuel, and skipped putting on the cover. Should have put it on. Would have kept out a ton of pine needles too, while it was parked in the driveway for awhile......

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JustBreathe
'05 230 Horizon

I have always towed with the mooring covers on. I did have the rub areas of the poles reinforced. After four years they have begun to stretch a little but otherwise are fine. Also, not were spots on the seats/finish.

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2005 Four Winns Horizon 200

Buy the trailering cover - well worth the cost!!!!!

This is very very much on my "buy" list. But for now I'm just trying to get my head back above water after being without a job for 4 months.

Awesome to hear FW took good care of you!

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2005 Horizon 210, 5.7L Volvo

I trailer mine 1000's of miles a year with the covers on and the poles up. Last year I did notice a slight black mark where each of the bungee straps rubbed on the cushion. I cleaned the marks off, and stuck the soft furry velcro dots to the rear of each of the bungee straps and have not seen a recurrance of it.

I guess you could also try felt stick-ons etc. - all I could find in my gargage at the time was velcro! Probably a permanent fix would be to sew in a felt strip on the inside of the cover that covered the back of each bungee.

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Alec

2006 Horizon 190
VP 4.3GL/SX, Sunsport