might buy this

[Wrekked]

I've been searching hard for a boat this year and one popped up I really liked. Its a 2014 fourwinns h180 with the 115 etec OB. My question is, will this motor be good enough to move the boat? It's a far drive to go see if so I don't want to go to be disappointed. Is it better to look for a something with a 4.3 I/O?

 

[roscoe]

Well, depends on what you plan to do with it.
Loaded with 6 people and gear, and pulling skiers, underpowered.

Not sure what its rated for, but there is a boat test review out there that had a 150 on it, so yes with a 115, under powered.

For 2-4 people just cruising around, it would be fine.

 

[Wrekked]

For now will be 3 adults and 2 children. some getting towed some in the boat. I'm going to take it for a spin but will be just myself so not so sure I'd get the full picture. I see alot of I/O's but I'd really like to stay outboard and 2 stroke.

 

[jebby]

bring your fattest friend for the sea trial. id guess it will be ok but only just...….

 

[CaptainSteveo]

I've been searching hard for a boat this year and one popped up I really liked. Its a 2014 fourwinns h180 with the 115 etec OB. My question is, will this motor be good enough to move the boat? It's a far drive to go see if so I don't want to go to be disappointed. Is it better to look for a something with a 4.3 I/O?

It will be good enough to move the boat with a couple adults light equipment on board. However it will be a bit under powered for water ski, pull toys and such. You really want a 150 or 4.3 to do that well.

Get 5 or more decent sized adults and their stuff on board and it will be slow to plane and sluggish.

Are you sticking to lakes, or planning on going on salt water. If going on salt water you should probably stick with outboard.

 

[flyingscott]

Evinrude has now quit making E-tecs and out boards in general. Do you want a motor that could soon be obsolete?

 

[Wrekked]

I think with the replies I'll keep looking for something with more power.

No, only fresh water in Ontario. May see lake Ontario on nice days but won't be the norm.

 

[roffey]

I have a 20 footer and Lake Ontario is scary in a boat that small...When I was a wee laddie (now I'm a fat old guy, but not grumpy lol) we skied behind a 18 foot wooded boat with a 100 hp Merc... we pulled up three skiers at once on several occasions..

 

[Wrekked]

Haha, ya I can still get up on kids skis behind a 90hp johnson 2 stroke with broken trim, but it's not the most enjoyable way to get up.

I always found that boat had plenty of power, especially when the trim worked right so thats why I had hoped a 115 2 stroke would be good. The 115 4 stroke is way too weak for me. I've always been a fan of 2 strokes for their simplicity to work on. Still ride 2 stroke dirtbikes.

 

[racerone]

Just have to put the right prop on the 115 E-tec and it will do fine.----One prop for light loads and one to pull the tubers & ski / wake boarders.

 

[Wrekked]

Makes sense. For the most part at this point we would be just going from one place to the other and maybe my 6 year old with my wife on a tu e going slow. The rest will be me by myself fishing etc. I just dont want to regret later if i find myself in rough waves or doing sports wishing i had more power

 

[Wrekked]

Heres a side question, if looking at older, say a 2007 4.3 volvo I/O but only 150hrs, would I still be looking at possible issues such as transom issues, bellows etc? The outboard I put the deposit on, waiting on a sea trial, is a 2016 with 150hrs. The same marina has a 2007 regal 4.3 w/ 115 hrs for about 5k less.

 

[CaptainSteveo]

Heres a side question, if looking at older, say a 2007 4.3 volvo I/O but only 150hrs, would I still be looking at possible issues such as transom issues, bellows etc? The outboard I put the deposit on, waiting on a sea trial, is a 2016 with 150hrs. The same marina has a 2007 regal 4.3 w/ 115 hrs for about 5k less.

A 2007 should not have transom or other rot issues unless it was very poorly maintained. Most boats newer than 2000 have fiberglass instead of wood. Bellows is possible, but should have probably been replaced before.

It seems like very low hours (around 12 a year) for a 13 year old boat though. I would make sure it did not sit unused for a long time as that can be very bad for a boat.

 

[Old Ironmaker]

If you already think she is underpowered you will always wonder what the 150 would do for you. I'm with you on the O/B 2 stroke vs. I/O or 4 stroke OB. A number of fellow boaters at the marina that went the 4 stroke route wish they stayed with a 2 stroke. But just as many are quite happy with the 4 stroke.

A 2016 boat with 150 hours is only 30 a year. That's low but possible. This year is crazy with the pandemic I have yet to get the bottom of the boat wet. But it has been 3 years since the boat (1994 StarCraft Superfisherman 190, 115 Mariner OB) was in the water due to my health. So it might well be 3 1/2 years before I put another hour on the boat. Since the boat sat for 3 years I took it into my marine guy where I bought the boat and had them go through it stem to stern. It cost me $1000.00 including draining a full tank of gas, that hurt, but I feel very confident when I put her in the drink we won't have a problem. My point is a boat can have low hours for many reasons other than neglect. Wow too many words to say that.

 

[jebby]

bellows are consumable. they will need to be done every X years depending on where you are and how much you trust them. an 87, 97, 2007, 2017, doesn't matter.

 

[Wrekked]

What determines the length between changing. Time in the water, time of use, type of use, time in general?

the thing with 4 strokes having the same power profile as a 2 stroke, in my experience with dirtbikes, is the valves become a real pain having to constantly gap them. And no timing to worry about makes life much simpler. I believe johnson picked up the parts for etec if I'm not mistaken. I do know evenrude promised to keep making parts.

 

[Wrekked]

Ended up finding and buying an H180 with the 150hp. Thanks for the help!

 

[roscoe]

You know what we say around here, "it didn't happen if you don't post some photos."

congrats on the boat.

 

[Wrekked]

When I get her picked up and on the water ill get some glam shots