IS the Four Winns H180 LE a good boat to buy?

[fdlsrv]

Is the H180 LE a good buy?
Basically,

My local dealership will sell me one for 17 995$ including the starting kit (the nautic security kit).

Is it stable enough to go on a big lake (when it's windy).

Is this boat has enough power for tow sport? (I mean, 2 in the boat, and 2 in a tube).

DO you think this boat will have a good resale value?

Thx!

 

[bigblank69]

Re: IS the Four Winns H180 LE a good boat to buy?

Four Winns are typically pretty good boats and resale is fairly decent... around here 18ft Four Winns that are 6 years old typically are for sale in the 9 - 10,000 range.

For towing a tube, yes you will be able too... A two man tube will be just fine with two on board, the boat shouldn't have that hard of a time with it..... Waterskiing and wakeboarding are possible too assuming you don't have a "Large" person behind the boat.

As for going out on windy days on a big lake.... well that depends. If the lake is really choppy your going to feel it pretty good in a 18 footer. That's the same size my boat is and with 20 mph winds the swells are too much to ride comfortably in really open water.

If your trying to stay under $20,000 you might want to also want to look at Glastron MX 185's, Larson and the Rinker 186

 

[Cincyrunner]

Re: IS the Four Winns H180 LE a good boat to buy?

You didn't say how big your motor is, but the Four Winns Horizon models are very good boats. I own an H190 LE with a 5.0L GXI and I can easily pull a 2-person tube with 4 or 5 others in the boat. It handles chop pretty good, considering it is a 19 ft boat. I would assume the 180 would be similar. Not sure about resale value. Depends on the condition, so whatever boat you decide on, keep it maintained.

 

[fritzmerde]

Re: IS the Four Winns H180 LE a good boat to buy?

I'm ignorant when it comes to the LE (and most other things), the RX had the Volvo/P @ 190 hp., I know they were putting mercs. in newer models. Power was never a problem, bigblank is right on with the size of the lake to boat ratio-and the age of the kidneys behind controls. Any boat 18' and under when it's white cappin hard, bang out honey dos'. Nothing new, what I wanted to add was my surprise at the resale value-Sorry,I should have prefaced that statement with selling it back to move up in size. Back to what BB said-there are many great boats out there-it really comes down to the intended use-it sounds like fun on the lake.

 

[fritzmerde]

Re: IS the Four Winns H180 LE a good boat to buy?

Hey a buddy of mine was just here and asked me when Four Winns started the Horizon model. I remember them in the early to mid 90s. He said he remembers them in the 80s running outboards. Either he's had to many beers or I am getting old & the mind is going-just thought maybe you'd know-thanks

 

[fdlsrv]

Re: IS the Four Winns H180 LE a good boat to buy?

The LE only comme with the 3liters engine...

 

[bigblank69]

Re: IS the Four Winns H180 LE a good boat to buy?

There's nothing wrong with the 3.0L, i'd be concerned about some of the other things I see on the boat now that I am looking at it....

The swim platform is very small to almost non existent
The gauges and dash look fairly cheap and there isn't a Tach standard
The radio is placed on the side of the driver side console, this is horrible placement,, who wants to have to slow down or stop to change the radio station....
The rear borading latter doesn't fully retract... just hangs off the back.....

I hate to say it, but this an entry boat that will never let you forget that its a entry level boat....

 

[RotaryRacer]

Re: IS the Four Winns H180 LE a good boat to buy?

Hey a buddy of mine was just here and asked me when Four Winns started the Horizon model. I remember them in the early to mid 90s. He said he remembers them in the 80s running outboards. Either he's had to many beers or I am getting old & the mind is going-just thought maybe you'd know-thanks

1984. They had a 19' boat in 1984 that was available in 4 configurations. Cuddy I/O, Cuddy OB, Open Bow I/O and Open Bow OB. This was the first boat that used the Horizon name. Prior to that Four Winns (Saf-T-Mate) used the Marquise name for this class of boats.


To the original question. The H180 LE is an entry level boat. It is, however, a bargain. Try to find any other boat with the same build quality for the same MSRP. Tahoe and Bayliner don't count. Glastron comes close (made in the same factory as Four Winns). Larson isn't bad. Rinker? Others?

I guess if you are looking for a sub $20k brand new boat there aren't all that many choices. I think the H180 LE is definitely is worth consideration.

 

[fritzmerde]

Re: IS the Four Winns H180 LE a good boat to buy?

Marquise--ahhhh, I can't believe I couldn't remember that name. Thanks, looks like I'll be buying lunch & dinner, my wife is going to kill me. Entry level boats under 20' have always been a strange market. My blissful ignorance will be in effect until further notice- maybe Stingray 180RX, Sea Ray 175 & 185, 185 Rinker Captiva, Regal 1900, Wellcraft-I dunno, but I'm guessing it is very much a buyers market. Not being a buyer I really haven't looked at prices, but I've never heard any complaints about Four Winns. I think I'll wait until Monday to tell my wife about the bills. Thanks again.

 

[bigblank69]

Re: IS the Four Winns H180 LE a good boat to buy?

I guess what we are all saying is... Yes Four Winns are built well, this boat you will have compromises on items that do not effect how the boat sits in the water or handles. If you can live with those compromises you will be just fine. If you think you would want more, there are plenty of options to look at and still fall in the same price range.

I bought a 2011 Rinker 186 with a 4.3L MPI myself and can't be happier and paid just slightly higher than your numbers.

 

[hibbert6]

Re: IS the Four Winns H180 LE a good boat to buy?

Or, for the same price, you can get the upgraded model, with all the bells and whistles, and a 4.3L v6, but it will be 2-3 years old with probably 60 hours on it...

Dave

 

[cribber]

Re: IS the Four Winns H180 LE a good boat to buy?

The 3.0l will pull a skier depending on the prop setup. I have a 4 blade for pulling and a different pitch 3 blade for speed. Just get Four Winns is a great brand so just get the most boat you can for what you are willing to spend.

 

[fdlsrv]

Re: IS the Four Winns H180 LE a good boat to buy?

Thx guys for the tips! I just don't know what to do! My dealer offers me a Four Winns H180 Standard with the 4.3l Merc for 24 000$. It's 6000$ difference but includes more stuff (snap in carpet, swim platform, etc...). It seems a very nice boat indeed and I don't know what to do... Thx for helping me out with that... is the 4.3l a lot more hard on gas?

 

[ezmobee]

Re: IS the Four Winns H180 LE a good boat to buy?

I remember looking at the Four Winns web site at the H180 LE a while ago when someone else on here was doing a compare. I can't believe how spartan it is. FW makes a nice boat but man that model is bare bones. I'd really consider stepping up. Looking at the H180, it looks like a MUCH nicer boat. The upgrade to the V6 is worth it. Nothing says you have to run it around full throttle all the time. At equivalent speeds, I wouldn't expect it to use much more fuel.

 

[fdlsrv]

Re: IS the Four Winns H180 LE a good boat to buy?

Your 100% right ezmobee. I will try to negociate with my dealer. I don't know the profit margin for a boat, but I will try to get another 1000$ of rebate!

 

[bigblank69]

Re: IS the Four Winns H180 LE a good boat to buy?

If your dealer can't or won't come down I would start looking at other brands. As mentioned earlier, Glastron's are made in the same factory as Four Winns and you can get a MX 185 with a 4.3L for under $21,000 around here, or you could get a GT-180 and go with Outboard power