Thoughts on 2006 Four Winns 224 Deck Boat?

[golf101]

I've found a 2006 Four Winns 224 in good condition that I'm interested in buying. I would be interested in any input anyone has regarding this make and model, and how this boat compares to comparably priced and equiped bow riders. (The Four Winns Horizon 240 looks pretty good also).

 

[golf101]

Re: Thoughts on 2006 Four Winns 224 Deck Boat?

To clarify my posting, what I mean by "comparably equipped" is that this boat has a Volvo 5.0 270 horsepower engine with duoprop.

 

[KCook]

Re: Thoughts on 2006 Four Winns 224 Deck Boat?

Four Winns is a well regarded brand. As for comparing bowriders and deckboats, here is a link to another thread on that -

http://forums.iboats.com/showthread.php?t=203128

Kelly

 

[RotaryRacer]

Re: Thoughts on 2006 Four Winns 224 Deck Boat?

Four Winns makes a good boat.

I was impressed with the deck boat I was looking at at a boat show recently. It was the F224. I don't think they have changed much over the last couple of years.

I think they are overall very good boats.

At the boat show I tried to somewhat objectively rank the brands that were represented. I limited my looking to the 19-20' bowrider segment and also the 22-24' "deck" boat segment. I looked at design/layouts/build quality. I would say they land something like this:

1. Cobalt
2. Four Winns
3. Crownline
4. Monterey
5. Regal
6. Larson
7. Azure
8. Glastron
9. Tahoe
10. SeaRay

The smaller SeaRays were completely unimpressive. As the sales guy said as I was peeking into the nooks and crannys "the Sport series are built to a price point". Well, I wouldn't buy a SeaRay in the 18-20' bowrider range.

 

[tmh]

Re: Thoughts on 2006 Four Winns 224 Deck Boat?

Well, I saw the FW 224 deck at the boat show and it was my #1 rated family boat in that size range - can't say for sure it's the same as the 2006 model though. the biggest thing I loved is that the wrap seat in the cockpit extended half over the engine box giving you the same interior room as most 24' boats. There is a 2 person seat for the swim platform - very nice.

FW makes a great boat for the price. it's higher end quality, not a Cobalt or bryant, but not as expensive either. The only issue I'd want to check out is if that's enough engine for that boat. it will move it, but it's a heavy boat and I'd prefer a 350 (5.7L) in it myself. Otherwise, if in good condition, a great one to look at seriously.

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: Thoughts on 2006 Four Winns 224 Deck Boat?

i have a 230 Chris Craft, the deck boat you cannot go wrong with. best all around use boat i have ever owned. Four Winns is a great boat, and a fantastic drive package that one has.

 

[golf101]

Re: Thoughts on 2006 Four Winns 224 Deck Boat?

TMH: I have the some concerns as those you expressed about whether the engine is big enough. I will likely have 6-8 people on the boat (1/2 teenagers or younger), and pulling 2-3 on a tube or 2 on skis (those are not included in the 6-8 on the boat). In your opinion, will this engine give me enough juice?

 

[KCook]

Re: Thoughts on 2006 Four Winns 224 Deck Boat?

"the wrap seat in the cockpit extended half over the engine box"

Lots of boat brands have that feature for their deckboat designs. It is not limited to Four Winns.

Kelly

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: Thoughts on 2006 Four Winns 224 Deck Boat?

i have the 5.7 with VP SX drive, no problems pulling any thing with 8 in the boat. the 5.0 with the duo prop is a much more powerful set up, you will have no problems.

 

[tmh]

Re: Thoughts on 2006 Four Winns 224 Deck Boat?

"the wrap seat in the cockpit extended half over the engine box"

Lots of boat brands have that feature for their deckboat designs. It is not limited to Four Winns.

Kelly

Some do, some don't - looked at all that were at our boat show and 4Winns had the best layout design, IMO. many don't have the "seat ove engine" design until the 24' models, btw. That's already a big boat with lots of room, so in a 20 or 22' boat it's even more important.