Soon to be owner of a 2005 Four Winns Horizon 170 Sea trial tomorrow Have questions

[Farmdog267]

Hi everyone,
After much research since about mid august of last year, tomorrow maybe my day. I have a sea trial on a new to me 05 Four Winns with a 3.0l volvo penta. Boat seems to be in excellent condition. I have read the buyers checklist and inspected the boat well. Seller has some life jackets, an anchor and tie lines with dock buoys as well as a fire extinguiser included. No carpets on this boat which i like since it will be partially used for fishing when not cruising or skiing. Side carpet pannels in good shape dry and solid when poked at.. I just wish the boat had an hour meter but it don't. The boat has both covers and was shrink wrapped. It is being serviced as I speak and will be ready for the water.
Anything I should know in addition to the check list when going on the sea trial? Is 20 minutes a long enough time out? This will be my first boat so any insight is helpful! I've attached a few pictures. Thanks... Joe

 

[jkust]

Looks like a nice boat and welcome to the boating world. Here's what I will say given I've been boating for 42 years as there is just no way I would ever consider a boat with a 3.0 in 2015. Load it up in the way you intend to use it. If you will have 4 people regularly on it then get 4 people in there and fill the gas tank up and maybe a 5th person to represent the gear you will carry to be sure that the low-power 3.0 is adequate. I say this given the 4.3 in the used marked costs zero dollars more than a 3.0 and you get almost 50% more HP and at least 260lbs of torque. Also, no 20 minutes is not adequate to warm it all up, get the outdrive nice and hot while you do wot runs and take the time to assess everything.

 

[meder24]

I am by no means an expert in boating as I have only owned mine a year, but I can speak on the trial period.
Before I bought my current boat, I took one other out on the water when considering the purchase. I was only out for about 45 minutes, basically just cruising up and down the river. I thought this was a great way and long enough time. The next day I went out on another boat where I spent probably 3 to 4 hours on it doing everything I was looking to do with it (cruising, tubing, etc...). This gave a great understanding of what the boat was capable of. I bought this boat later that day.
Granted not all sellers will be this willing but I say do as many things with the boat that you intend to do with it once you own it.

 

[Farmdog267]

I'm thinking since I will be using it for fishing that I may take it out and then shut it off for maybe say 5 minutes. Get a feel for how it rides just sitting as well. I do plan to have 2 or 3 people with me plus the seller to represent the weight factor. The boat is tagged for 7 passengers.

 

[superbenk]

We love our H200. It has the 5.0l though & im not sure I'd go any smaller than that on our boat. 4.3l is what I'd be looking at in a

 

[Farmdog267]

Thanks for the comments. I was able to take it on the water yesterday and I did end up purchasing the boat! It seems to be in very good condition! Can't wait to get it out on the river!