Four Winns 180 ok for bay use?

[QuietRider21]

hey guys, i'm considering & trying to make a descision on a 1996 Four Winns 180 with a 175 evinrude ocean pro. I like the boat & the size motor it has and interior with the snap out carpet which is nice. The boat will be primarily used on a lake, but I'd really like to do some occasional fishing/cruising in the NJ bays. Being only 18' will this boat be ok to use in a bay on a calm day or would i still take a beating? This boat seems pretty solid & wide which i like but lacks length. any other opinions on this boat would be great. thanks!!
some pictures attached

 

[Home Cookin']

Re: Four Winns 180 ok for bay use?

It would be OK for occasional use on a calm day and if you stay about 20 minutes from safe harbor. That bow design is not made for any adverse conditions on open water, which can spring up suddenly. But if you have good skills you can probably do OK. Practice in the rough stuff some.

So if it's primarily for lakes, or cruising protected coastal rivers, and you choose your days carefully on the bays, fine. Good thing about it is that it has an outboard. But for regular trips in the bay or long-distance crossings, I'd get a better designed hull.

get a bow cover for comfort but never rely on it for safety. Verify your bilge pumps every trip and consider redundancy.

Can't speak to that brand's hardware and electrical handling salt air.

 

[QuietRider21]

Re: Four Winns 180 ok for bay use?

thanks HomeCookin. 99% of my boating over the yrs has been mostly on smaller lakes so its good to hear from some1 more experienced. This boat does come with a bow cover and i believe support poles.. I guess what i really need to think about is "how much" i'll actually be using the boat in the bay, like you said. Ufortunately i have a tight budget which this boat falls under but most larger boats dont.. what exactly do you mean when you say "better desin" for regular use in bay? deeper hull, cuddy cabin?

 

[foodfisher]

Re: Four Winns 180 ok for bay use?

Usualy in "bays", in the afternoons, on the way back, the winds comes up, along with them comes chop. Makes for a rough, wet homecoming. PS. From your description of your boat usage it sounds like a perfect fit.PPSS The bay in question would help. hint, location in your profile.

 

[Home Cookin']

Re: Four Winns 180 ok for bay use?

the better design is a higher bow with flare to it, That sheds the water away from the boat rather than up the sides. Then you want a wider rubrail with a sharper angle to deflect spray. Also the wider higher bow spreads the float surface which makes for a faster recovery on a dip or plow into a wave. Your approach at the water line looks fine and better than a lot of similar boats.