www.iFourWinns.com

I would like to introduce myself. I have been browsing since I started looking for boat last summer and appreciate all of the information. I was going to buy a Horizon 200 from a family friend, but they decided not to sell it so I started looking. We were given advice to get something a little bigger for the lake we will on most of the time. I ended up finding a great deal on a boat down in the Atlanta area.



2001 Four Winns Horizon 230
Volvo Penta 5.7 GSi / Dual Prop
Around 130 Hours

I did notice that the Extended Platform is different than any of the other 230/240 boats I have seen. Most of the 230s have the small built in platform and then the step-down to the extended platform. Mine is mounted more like the 2001 Horizon 200 where there is just one large platform. It makes it about 6 inches higher. I didn’t even notice it when I bought it until I started looking at the other pictures. I like the way it looks and the kids might enjoy having a little more height to jump off of, but it probably makes it a little harder to get in and out of the water (one more step on the ladder).

I bought the boat back in November, but haven’t been able to spend any time on it yet. It needs a little TLC (wax, carpet on the trailer runners, tires, etc…) and I’m sure I’ll be asking for your advice.

I'll be boating with my wife and two kids (turning 9 and 4 during the summer) at Pickwick Lake on the Tennessee River.

Thank you,

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John
2001 Four Winns Horizon 230
VP 5.7 GSi / DP
2007 Ford Expedition EL

Welcome, John! GREAT looking boat you've got. I hope you can find enough water to float it this season, I understand the lakes are in BAD shape there.

I think what you've got is the FW "aftermarket" swim platform. They're made by FW but sold only as after-purchase accessories. By all accounts they're terrific platforms, but if possible I'd make sure it was installed correctly, especially to be sure the supports are sealed correctly where they mount to the transom.

I have a friend here in KC who bought that exact same boat, same year, same color & graphics, and had the same platform installed by a dealer. He loves it. (You out there, Rich?)

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

The lakes down in the Atlanta area were awful. The dealer we bought it from said that the lakes were worse than he had ever seen. We barely found enough water in Hartwell to get a good test drive. Fortunately, I actually live in the Memphis area and will be boating at Pickwick Lake (on the Tennessee, Mississippi, Alabama border) which has a good water supply from the Tennessee River and isn't having any issues.

Thanks for the other comments. We are really looking forward to spring.

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John
2001 Four Winns Horizon 230
VP 5.7 GSi / DP
2007 Ford Expedition EL

BTW, that platform cost the buyer around $1,300 just for the part and installation, IIRC. Just FYI.

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

Nice boat... I especially like the graphics.

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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.

Great boat! Looks like it's in pretty good shape already!

That platform is a must... and it probably pushes that boat to nearly 26 feet!

Welcme to the forum!

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2008 318 Vista -SOLD, but I am still around!
All Night Long, Seattle WA

Great Looking Boat, Good Luck!!
Chris

Sharp ride, looks to be in great shape.

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-Rob.


Current boat: 2011 Yamaha AR210
Previous boat: 1998 Horizon RX 4.3GL SX

Great find John, welcome aboard!

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2009 H180 w/3.0 Merc
Homebuilt Minimax Hydro
2011 Zodiac Cadet 310

I to found a great deal on a 2001 last fall! Welcome aboard! The swim platform I have has a step down as you described and we like it so the little ones can sit and kick their feet in the water. That may change as they get older but for now I gain probably another 18" of "hangout" space over your style. The boat I purchased only had 180 hrs on it and I thought that was low but you found a real low one at 130 hrs. They hardly used it!
As for trailer tires.... If they aren't severely cracked just buy a spare and go! My tires were just as old as yours and I hauled the trailer to Kingston, Ontario Canada from New Hampshire (Laconia) without any problems (8 hours!)

keep hoping for an early thaw so we can all go and play and in the mean time stay in touch.

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Marc, Kathlin & Nathalie


'89 Chaparral Laser 32

'93 Vista 245, 5.8L w/ King Cobra

Former Boats
'01 H260, 7.4 VP Duoprop
'98 H200, 5.0 GL w/VP SX drive

I appreciate everyone's welcome and nice comments. Now time for my first question.

Unless it is hidden in a storage compartment in the boat, the cushion that covers up the walk-through and completes the U-shape seating is missing (bottom right of this photo).



My guess is that this is one of those cushions that you might take out and leave in the attic anyway (it is probably in the original owner's attic now), but those of you that have this type of configuration, is this a cushion that I will miss and want to try to replace. To me, it is odd that this cushion was missing because the boat also included all of the bow and cockpit filler cushions and all of those were there.

Thanks,

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John
2001 Four Winns Horizon 230
VP 5.7 GSi / DP
2007 Ford Expedition EL

The first thing I did was take the filler cushions for this area and put them away in the basement. My personal feeling is that I wanted this to be a passage way in and out of the boat so we don't have to walk over upholstery. If you leave them in you would have to constantly remove them for acess each time and if you leave them out for occasional use they will take up storage space. I don't think you'll really miss them -- if you need an extra seat just let somebody sit on a life jacket at the step!

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Marc, Kathlin & Nathalie


'89 Chaparral Laser 32

'93 Vista 245, 5.8L w/ King Cobra

Former Boats
'01 H260, 7.4 VP Duoprop
'98 H200, 5.0 GL w/VP SX drive

Thanks again everyone, let's try question #2:

There was no cooler included in my boat. Unfortunately, I don't have easy access to my boat to take measurements. From the research I've done, it appears that the Igloo Marine 36 might be the one the boat was made for:



http://www.igloocoolers.com/products/FullSize/Marine/5/


If there is enough room, I would like to get this one from Coleman that is a little easier to find locally, but it is a little bigger.



http://www.coleman.com/coleman/colemancom/detail.asp?product_id=6251A748&categoryid=8580

Does anyone know what the measurements of the cooler storage are?

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John
2001 Four Winns Horizon 230
VP 5.7 GSi / DP
2007 Ford Expedition EL

My experience with the FW cooler compartment is that it will fit only the one that was designed for it or smaller. Nothing larger will fit but your compartment might not be like mine.

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Former owner of:
1996 Four Winns Horizon 200 5.8L VP
2006 Four Winns Horizon 260 8.1L VP
2007 Sea Ray 290 Sundancer

Current boat
2004 Sea Ray 290 Sun Sport Twin 350 Mags

My boat will have the same "hole". I will measure over the weekend and post it ASAP for you.

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Marc, Kathlin & Nathalie


'89 Chaparral Laser 32

'93 Vista 245, 5.8L w/ King Cobra

Former Boats
'01 H260, 7.4 VP Duoprop
'98 H200, 5.0 GL w/VP SX drive