Four Winns Horizion 170 Top Speed

[bulachip]

I just bought a 1987 four winns 170 horizion with a 4.3l.rated at 175HP

The boat is used but in ok condition.

While the boat seems to run ok, its top speed is a bit underwhelming. with a full tank of gas and one person, it tops out at 38MPH. The current prop seems ok, but has a few minor dings and such. I think it is a 14X19 and under full throttle it looks like the RPM's are around 5500 or so, (although i am not sure that guage is working well).

Any suggestions?

Harry

 

[Robbabob]

Re: Four Winns Horizion 170 Top Speed

Welcome to iBoats!

A few items to consider and help us to help you.

Does it jump out of the water to get on plane when you first hammer down? Are you trimming the motor up/out once on plane? Perhaps too far?

Check out the prop forum and locate the sticky at the top http://forums.iboats.com/showthread.php?t=287818

14x19 sounds pretty close, but it seems your rpm is high... just assuming your max engine should not exceed 4800ish. I can make several assumptions about what it might be. Fill in the needed information and you'll get some good help.

Good luck!

 

[bulachip]

Re: Four Winns Horizion 170 Top Speed

Ok here we go..
1) Performance issue you are trying to correct. (More top end, but still enough low end to pull a skiier. I would like to get into the high 40's MPH

2) Current prop manufacturer, model, aluminum or stainless as a minimum. ( 14x19 stainless Michigan with some dings this has hit bottom before)

3) Current prop diameter and pitch (required). (14x19)

4) Wide open throttle RPM and speed with an average load (very helpful) (2 passangers and a tank of gas 39MPH 5500 RPM's)

5) Engine/drive make, model, year, and HP (4.3l 175hp, Mercursier Alpha one, 1987)

6) Boat make model, year, length and weight (1987 Four Winns Horizion 170, 17ft)

 

[ryanr623]

Re: Four Winns Horizion 170 Top Speed

Ok here we go..
1) Performance issue you are trying to correct. (More top end, but still enough low end to pull a skiier. I would like to get into the high 40's MPH

2) Current prop manufacturer, model, aluminum or stainless as a minimum. ( 14x19 stainless Michigan with some dings this has hit bottom before)

3) Current prop diameter and pitch (required). (14x19)

4) Wide open throttle RPM and speed with an average load (very helpful) (2 passangers and a tank of gas 39MPH 5500 RPM's)

5) Engine/drive make, model, year, and HP (4.3l 175hp, Mercursier Alpha one, 1987)

6) Boat make model, year, length and weight (1987 Four Winns Horizion 170, 17ft)

4400 - 4800 is what my service manual says optimum WOT RPM's are. You are over revving if your tach is right. You definitely need a 21p prop.

I have a 17 foot boat with a merc 4.3 175hp, mated to a 19p, and that is because i do water sports. It JUMPS onto plane. Holeshot is amazing. HOWEVER......I top out at 44mph. With my 21p i can get close to 50mph @ 4700rpm.

 

[bulachip]

Re: Four Winns Horizion 170 Top Speed

I am not sure if my Tac is right... but it is definetly reving fairly high.

I think I am going to try a 21p that should keep my RPM's lower atleast.

any recommendations on type/brand of prop I think due to cost I will be leaning toward an aluminium?

 

[ryanr623]

Re: Four Winns Horizion 170 Top Speed

I am not sure if my Tac is right... but it is definetly reving fairly high.

I think I am going to try a 21p that should keep my RPM's lower atleast.

any recommendations on type/brand of prop I think due to cost I will be leaning toward an aluminium?

turning point legacy series. Model LE1421. Under $100. Uses the same casting as their high performance SS prop... and if you hit a rock, you're not out an outdrive

 

[emoney]

Re: Four Winns Horizion 170 Top Speed

What kind of shape is your boat in? Any soft spots in the floor? I'm asking because you could be carrying around a whole bunch of wet foam along with the two of you and gear.

But, more importanly, not so sure you're gonna hit 50mph in that rig regardless of what you do. Might want to look at these jet boats and/or the performance hulls (what we call the banana boats).

 

[Slip Away]

Re: Four Winns Horizion 170 Top Speed

I think he spent less than $2500 for that boat, one of those unreliable jet boats cost a lot more than that. The 170 will do 45 mph at WOT (4800 rpm) with the V6 I/O. Plenty good for a 20+ year old toy.

 

[ryanr623]

Re: Four Winns Horizion 170 Top Speed

I think he spent less than $2500 for that boat, one of those unreliable jet boats cost a lot more than that. The 170 will do 45 mph at WOT (4800 rpm) with the V6 I/O. Plenty good for a 20+ year old toy.

My boat will do 50mph with my 21p turning point prop at 4700rpm. Just under 18 foot.

 

[Slip Away]

Re: Four Winns Horizion 170 Top Speed

Then his would do 50.1 mph with a 21p Michigan wheel 3 blade.

 

[ryanr623]

Re: Four Winns Horizion 170 Top Speed

Then his would do 50.1 mph with a 21p Michigan wheel 3 blade.

Thats my point, we have similiar boats. If everything checks out he needs a 21p prop. I was more responding to the guy who said that rig wont do close to 50mph, mine will and I do not have a jet boat.

His boat is slightly smaller so it should hit 50mph no problem, given his engine is in prime shape.

 

[bulachip]

Re: Four Winns Horizion 170 Top Speed

I spent $2600...

Now I feel like I overpaid!

An aside- My trim/trailer buttons do not seem to work every time... sometimes they will not work and I will have to play around with them for a few min...

I am thinking about refilling the fluid, would this be a good idea?

 

[Slip Away]

Re: Four Winns Horizion 170 Top Speed

If you want a qualified answer to your speed question, maybe try the Four Winns board, there are members there with the exact same boat, that can give you actual numbers. I guess it's taboo to post a link to another web site, so I won't. Google, iFourwinns and ask your questions there if you like.

 

[Joshua Nichols]

Re: Four Winns Horizion 170 Top Speed

Got the same boat.. Same pitch prop..Different drive.. 47MPH.. My tach is wrapped out too(Around 5500).. Checked it with a shop tach.. It's correct.. The fella I bought it from used the boat to pull skiers and tubes and stuff. It has neck snapping hole shot. I bought a 21 pitch that needs a new hub.. I haven't had a chance to get it changed.. So still running the 19 and we just don't run wot..
BTW is that GPS speed? My wishometer shows I am doing 30 ish.. When in fact I am doing 45ish GPS ...

 

[bulachip]

Re: Four Winns Horizion 170 Top Speed

Josh-
What is the weight of our boats?

also when you say neck snapping what do you mean. i would like to time my whole shot to see how I am doing. It feels ok but not great, but I do not have a lot of experience with boats, so maybe it is in fact good!

 

[canyonken]

Re: Four Winns Horizion 170 Top Speed

I have a Sea Ray 175 with a 4.3L V-6.
You should consider a 23 pitch prop.
My boat is probably the same as yours for weight.
I think my boat weighs right around 2300 lbs.
The 4.3L in a boat that is 18 foot is awesome.
I like it a lot. Try the 23 pitch prop. That is what I have on mine.
I couldn't imagine a 19 pitch on a V-6 in a smaller boat......

 

[canyonken]

Re: Four Winns Horizion 170 Top Speed

FYI - I run my boat at 3000 rpm just motoring around the river and I get right at 28 m.p.h. (GPS) using the 23 pitch prop.
I just changed my cap and rotor and plugs a few weeks ago. I plan on running at WOT next time on the river. I'll let you know what I get at the top end for speed.

 

[bulachip]

Re: Four Winns Horizion 170 Top Speed

Great. Thanks for the info. I just ordered the prop that Ryanr623 recommended. It is a 21 pitch and only cost 76 bucks new on Amazon. I am going to try it out and will keep everyone posted.

 

[ryanr623]

Re: Four Winns Horizion 170 Top Speed

Great. Thanks for the info. I just ordered the prop that Ryanr623 recommended. It is a 21 pitch and only cost 76 bucks new on Amazon. I am going to try it out and will keep everyone posted.

It is the best deal on a prop, and it uses the same casting as their high performance SS version. I believe it has the holeshot holes so you shouldn't lose much holeshot.

 

[ryanr623]

Re: Four Winns Horizion 170 Top Speed

FYI - I run my boat at 3000 rpm just motoring around the river and I get right at 28 m.p.h. (GPS) using the 23 pitch prop.
I just changed my cap and rotor and plugs a few weeks ago. I plan on running at WOT next time on the river. I'll let you know what I get at the top end for speed.

Yeah let us know, im curious to find out.