Dialed In Ron Eldridge Trailer Boats October 23, 2006

Every boat has a bow and stern — it’s what you squeeze in between that separates one rig from the next. When you’re talking bowriders (and especially smaller rigs), however, it’s sometimes difficult to distinguish one craft from another. This is because layouts have evolved to a point of near-maximum efficiency. The end result is that most builders use similar, if not identical, floorplans. The difference, then, boils down to details.

Much the same is also true of hulls, which have become increasingly sophisticated in their own right. Today’s runabouts deliver noticeably better performance, ride and handling than those of just five or 10 years ago. Much of this can be traced to the extended running surfaces that first began appearing on sportboats in the 1990s. Four Winns — which celebrated its 30th anniversary in 2006 — was an early proponent with its Stable-Vee hull. Featuring “pods” on either side of the sterndrive, the design extended the planing surface and effectively shifted the engine (and, thus, the boat’s center of gravity) farther forward.

In one fell swoop the boat gained waterline length, stability and flotation. Holeshots were suddenly more efficient, and overall performance and handling jumped by leaps and bounds. The design proved so successful that a large percentage of modern craft use some variation of this concept — including the 190 Horizon that we tested on Lake Cadillac, near Four Winns’ Cadillac, Michigan, headquarters.

If details make the difference, Four Winns’ new 181/2-foot bowrider distinguishes itself from the competition through its nimble handling, solid quality and, ultimately, its wealth of practical features. Sporting a 7-foot, 11-inch beam, it rides on a third generation, Stable-Vee hull that, in our opinion, is dialed in to the nth degree.



FUN TO DRIVE

In a nutshell, this boat is fun to drive. It’s easy for beginners to handle, but spirited enough that seasoned salts will have a hard time wiping the smiles from their faces as they cut the wheel this way and that in a sheer romp. Rigged with an optional 220 hp MerCruiser 4.3L MPI sterndrive and swinging a 14x21-inch aluminum three-blade, our boat topped out at 41.6 mph, and carved through turns with a sure and steady response. About the only way to ventilate the prop, it seemed, was to trim up and turn as hard as we could. Otherwise, she just railed.

The 190 responds well to trim, and reacts quickly to minor adjustments, but we noticed that the cockpit’s snap-in carpet levitates off the deck at higher speeds. Maybe it’s our Type A personalities, but this “magic carpet” effect proved bothersome. Punching the throttle brought our minds back to the business at hand, however, as the boat accelerated briskly through its powerband.

Low-end grunt is good, too, as evidenced by 0-to-30 mph times that averaged 7.4 seconds. For the record, we tested in flat conditions and calm winds, with the boat carrying full fuel, two men and test gear. If anything, the water was too flat; with a little more chop to free up the hull it’s likely we would have seen a slightly faster top end.

Given the lively nature of the 190 Horizon, in fact, we definitely recommend stepping up from the base 190 hp MerCruiser or Volvo Penta V-6 packages to either the 4.3L MPI Merc or the top-rated 225 hp Volvo 4.3L GXi/SX. Those extra 30 and 35 ponies, respectively, are more than worth the approximate $1700 bump in cost.

Rougher water also would have provided a better test of the boat’s riding qualities, as we were reduced to searching out wakes in order to evaluate how it would take a sea. Well built and featuring a fairly sharp 19 degrees of transom deadrise, the 190 cut through everything we could find with no trouble — but jumping wakes is not the same as taking it on the chin wave after wave as you slog home on windy afternoons. Our previous experience with larger Four Winns hulls speaks well of the 190 Horizon’s capabilities, but let’s be frank: No matter how well designed or solidly put together this boat is, with only 181/2 feet of bottom, you’re going to feel big chop and major holes.



TWISTS AND TURNS

Although the 190 follows a conventional bowrider layout, it packs a few twists that are sure to please. The first two are found in the bow, where you’ll discover an anchor locker — a rarity on a runabout of this size. Situated under a lift-off cushion, it’s 15 inches long by 7 inches deep, and its clever design doesn’t compromise bow space. Our only complaint is the funky tie-off for securing the bitter end of the anchor rode. But, hey, at least it’s got one... a surprising number of boats don’t. Chalk one up for Four Winns.

Among other features that caught our attention were the hinged bow cushions. Covered in durable AquaFlex marine vinyl, the cushions can’t fly off while trailering, and their aft-mounted hinges allow full and easy access to the lockers below.

You’ll find additional stowage amidships in the in-sole ski locker. Served by a gas-assist piston so the hatch won’t slam down on fingers or gear, the box features a full liner and tapes out at 75x271/2x12 inches — plenty big enough for watersports gear. The only improvement we could suggest would be to add some means of locking the compartment to protect expensive wakeboards and skis.

The glove box in the passenger console locks, however, so you can keep your iPod and other small valuables secure when ducking into the marina for lunch or to grab a six-pack of sodas and bag of ice. This is also where you’ll find a Clarion CD deck that comes with a free six-month Sirius satellite radio subscription. Stereo upgrades include an MP3 jack that lets you play e-tunes through the 190 Horizon’s sound system.

The standard seating arrangement includes a back-to-back lounge to port, plus a captain’s chair to starboard that swivels and adjusts fore and aft. Tilt steering allows additional customization to accommodate all sizes of drivers. Four Winns’ upholstery is comfortably firm and supportive, and features quality foam, composite frames and neat stitching. Molded armrests on each side add comfort for the passengers and driver. The helm station is basic but complete, with Faria instruments fitted with stainless bezels and surrounded with titanium-look trim.



STEP RIGHT UP

Several more interesting twists are found at the stern. One of the best is a wide, integrated swimstep equipped with a deep-reaching boarding ladder. With four rungs and wide tread pads, it extends at an angle so it’s easier to climb back aboard after a swim. It’s one of the best-designed ladders in the business.

Four Winns makes it easy to climb into the boat from the dock, too, thanks to “multi-level” rear jumpseats flanking either side of the engine box. The seat bottom is upholstered on one side (as you would expect), but flip it over and the other side is covered in nonskid fiberglass so your guests won’t have to step on the cushions while boarding.

When it’s time for sunbathing, the seat bottoms can be positioned level with the top of the engine bay to form a sunpad. One trick most salesmen probably won’t tell you, however, is that if you take out the seat bottoms altogether you’ve got plenty of fishing room back there. All in all, this is a simple, sturdy and convenient arrangement.

When it’s time for maintenance, the 190’s engine bay and gelcoated bilge are accessed through a two-piece clamshell hatch. Lift the top pad and you can easily add oil or conduct routine bilge checks. If you need to perform more serious work, the lower portion of the cover can be tilted forward or removed entirely, allowing unfettered room to swing a wrench.

All told, this is just one of many practical touches aboard a craft that is neither under- nor overengineered. With its 190 Horizon, Four Winns has once again proven that good designs don’t have to be overly complex, and that combining solid construction, sporty handling and boating-savvy features is a great way to set yourself apart.

Some builders have a knack for getting things right — and, in this sense, Four Winns is really dialed in.



SPECIFICATIONS

Base Price (w/ Volvo

Penta 4.3GL and trlr.) $22,153

Price as Tested $24,508

Length 18’ 6”

Beam 7’ 11”

Deadrise at Transom 19 degrees

Weight (w/ std. engine) 2630 lbs.

Draft (drive down) 31”

Fuel Capacity 34 gals.

Maximum Horsepower 225



NOTABLE STANDARD EQUIPMENT

Single-axle trailer with disc brakes and swingaway tongue; gel band color; Sirius-equipped Clarion stereo; tilt steering; carry-on cooler; angled “deep-reach” swimladder; anchor locker; hinged bow cushions



NOTABLE OPTIONAL EQUIPMENT

As tested: depth gauge; pull-up cleats. Also available: wakeboard tower; bow fill-in cushions; Sunsport seating layout; MP3 jack for sound system

Four Winns, Dept. TBM, 925 Frisbie St., Cadillac, MI 49601; 231/775-1351; fourwinns.com



ENGINE AS TESTED

Make MerCruiser 4.3L MPI/ Alpha 1

Horsepower 220

Number of Cylinders V-6

Displacement 4.3L (262 cid)

Weight 862 lbs.

Gear Ratio 1.62:1

Maximum WOT RPM 4400-4800

Propeller 14x21” aluminum 3-blade



MerCruiser, Dept. TBM, P.O. Box 1959, Fond du Lac, WI54936; 800/MERCURY; mercurymarine.com



BONUS WEB INFORMATION



TRAILER TALK

The 190 Horizon comes standard with a color-matched, painted single-axle Sure-Load trailer built by Four Winns specifically for this hull. The carpeted bunks are positioned directly beneath the boat’s stringers for optimum support. The frame is 11-gauge, structural-grade tube steel (rather than channel steel) and is fully welded — including the winch post; no clamps or bolts are used in the frame construction itself. Disc brakes are standard, as is a swingaway tongue that makes garage storage easier.

Available upgrades include mag wheels, a Rugged Duty Towing Package, and tandem-axle models — including a galvanized trailer with GatorHyde, described as a full coverage finish coat that enhances corrosion resistance in harsh saltwater environments.



CUSTOMIZE YOUR BOAT

PARTIAL OPTIONS LIST

Hull/Deck

• Classic Color Band Exterior

• Pull-up cleats

• Sport Graphic

• Wakeboard tower (w/ custom Bimini top)



Cockpit

• Bow fill-in cushion

• Flip-up bolster seats (pair)

• Replace port lounger w/ bucket seat

• Sunsport Interior — Sterndrive



Entertainment

• iPod/MP3 jack — cockpit

• Stereo upgrade (stereo remote at helm w/ display, four speakers and tweeters)



Helm Area

• Depth sounder



Engine/Systems/Drive

• Remote oil filter

• Stainless propeller



Canvas

• Bimini top

• Cockpit cover

• Cockpit cover w/ forward cover

• Convertible top

• Full canvas (requires a convertible top)

• Mooring cover