Which to buy?? Four Winns 180 Horizon or a Crownline 180??

[spooky]

Hi guys!<br /><br />Newbie here....and I could really use your advice. This will be our first boat and I want to ensure we get a good deal and a great boat.<br /><br />After looking at Bayliner, Glastron, Crownline, Four Winns, Chapparel and Reinell, we've narrowed our choices down to the Four Winns 180 Horizon and the Crownline 180 BR.<br /><br />The price we've been quoted out the door is 22,316 for the crownline and 22900 for the Four Winns. <br /><br />Both include trailor, bimini top, taxes, registration fees, dealer prep and coast guard package. The FW has a Volvo penta (6cyl 190 hp)engine and the CL has a merc 4.3 (190 hp).<br /><br />I'm curious to hear peoples opinion of my choices and any preferences you might have.<br /><br />I'm particularly interested in any performance impression, like speed, stability and constuction and quality.<br /><br />As far as usage, we'll use it just to enjoy being on the water with a couple of friends while trying the occasional tubing, water skiing, etc.<br /><br />thanks for any insight!<br />Tom

 

[L Christopher]

Re: Which to buy?? Four Winns 180 Horizon or a Crownline 180??

Spooky:<br />Is it easier to find somewhere to have the Volvo worked on or the merc. in your area? Also check JD Powers web site under boats to see which boat manufacture ranks higher. If these don't push you over the fence take a closer look at both boats and look for the details (inside the storage compartments, wiring, joints, etc.). If after that both boats seem equal and you still can't make up your mind, let your wife chose. If you don't like the boat for some reason after you bought it you can blame it on her.

 

[mattttt25]

Re: Which to buy?? Four Winns 180 Horizon or a Crownline 180??

spooky- can't speak from much experience, but a good friend of mine bought a 20' four winns (not sure on model) in 1989. it still looks and runs great. it's fast, very stable, and turns on a dime. i really like their modified tri-hull design, seems to really work. if you can get a sea-trial from both, i think you'll be able to make your decision pretty quick. good luck and enjoy-

 

[rogerwa]

Re: Which to buy?? Four Winns 180 Horizon or a Crownline 180??

I myself am partial to the styling of the Crownline, but I would look at the specifications closely. I am also partial to the Volvo based on what I have heard about the smoothness and ruggedness of the drive. The engine, of course, is basically the same.. For that matter you can get the Volvo on the FW if you wish..<br /><br />Is the layout the same (seating)??<br /><br />The crownline I beleive has wooden stringers vs FW glass stringers. Advantage FW.<br /><br />Does the CL have snap in carpet??<br /><br />I don't think you can go wrong in this choice. I would love to have to make it..

 

[blifsey]

Re: Which to buy?? Four Winns 180 Horizon or a Crownline 180??

Are these at two different dealers? If so, perhaps your impression of helpfulness of dealer might help you make decision. <br /><br />Is the 180 Horizon one of FW's VEC hulls? I've got a Glastron GX205 which is VEC and have really liked it over last year. With VEC floor, stringers and transom are wood free. When we were looking, Crownline still used wood for deck and I believe stringers. You'll need to decide your opinion about wood free construction.

 

[spooky]

Re: Which to buy?? Four Winns 180 Horizon or a Crownline 180??

Thanks guys!<br /><br />So the Four Winns does have snap in carpets, which is a plus for me and it has the Volvo. The downside is the dealer, I prefer the crownline dealer. Seems friendlier and more professional. I felt the used car salesmen mentality and sales process at the four winns dealer. Unfortunetly I don't have another four winns dealer in my area.<br /><br />The four winns does feature the VEC fiberglass hull, so no wood. My understanding is that the Crownline does have wood stringers. How big of an issue is this??<br /><br />Warranty wise the crownline is better, although I can pay $$$ to extend the four winns warranty.

 

[22WRF]

Re: Which to buy?? Four Winns 180 Horizon or a Crownline 180??

Volvo vs Merc<br /><br /> http://beta.mercurymarine.com/mercruiser_volvo

 

[KCook]

Re: Which to buy?? Four Winns 180 Horizon or a Crownline 180??

Your prices don't sound low to me. Have you started haggling yet? BTW, when asking about pricing on national message boards, may as well take off the local registration and taxes. As these will vary quite a bit from state to state.<br /><br />Crownlines have great styling. And they don't dumb down the appointments on their smaller models to the degree that some other builders do. I have operated a CL 180, handling and stability were fine. There is a fair amount of bowrise during the holeshot, which is to be expected in a boat with a strong V bottom. Thumbs up from me.<br /><br />Four Winns built a strong reputation in the '90s under OMC. Now they are under Genmar and converting to VEC construction. The FW 180 Horizon is one of the initial FW models for this new program. Completely redesigned in every respect from the "old" FW 180 Horizon. So far I have not seen a single post by anybody who has had a test drive in the VEC 180, much less owned one. So this has to go down as an "unknown", at least in terms of message board impressions.<br /><br />These boats are too small for a dual prop drive. So the usual Merc vs Volvo cat fight makes little sense with these boats. Both motors/drives work fine.<br /><br />Wood can be an issue IF you live in a damp climate and expect to still have the thing 10 years from now. Frankly, most of us get 2-footitis a lot sooner that that. So I think the wood vs woodfree issue is kinda bogus at this size. As these are starter boats, not keepers.<br /><br />These models being considered are both pretty much a premium product, not bargain basement. Another upscale boat in this size that I would look hard at is the Chaparral 183.<br /><br />Here is another thread that may help - Anyone familiar with a Crownline 180br or Larson Sei 180? <br /><br />Try to get test drives,<br />Kelly Cook

 

[spooky]

Re: Which to buy?? Four Winns 180 Horizon or a Crownline 180??

Thanks Kelly!<br /><br />That was real helpful. <br /><br />The prices I'm getting before taxes and reg. are 19,999 for the 4 Winns and 20,200 for the crownline. Sounds like I'm getting average prices??

 

[L Christopher]

Re: Which to buy?? Four Winns 180 Horizon or a Crownline 180??

I came back to this thread because it is fun to see what others opinons are when someone starts a AAA vs. BBB. But I must add that I agree with KCook on the Chaparral. I own a 220SSI and would not hesitate to recomend it to anyone.

 

[MATTT]

Re: Which to buy?? Four Winns 180 Horizon or a Crownline 180??

I have a 2000 18horison with a v6 190hrs. It also has a volvol penta out drive. I just sold it, and I am looking to buy a 202 crownline. Both boat has snap on and off carpet, that is a new feature that most boats would have. I like the crownline looks better than the FW. The crown line looks more sporty and kept its nice looks through the year. FW looks is more like a family cedan, it get boring sometime. I like the interior of the CL better, looks modern compare to FW. If you look at a FW closely, there are some cutting corner. Example: the plastic divider for the bench are so thin, my broke off after the first year. Do looks closely for stess crack (spider web crack). My start to show after the second year. I do take good care of my boat, wash and wax each time I use it. That is how I notice all the problem. For the engine/drive, I would pick the Mercruiser over VolVol; even though VolVol out drive do have a cleaner looks. I am happy with FW but will purchase a CL after I receive the money for my FW. If you take care of your boat, I wouldn't worry about the rotten of the wood. If you abuse your boat, not just the wood that will be rotton but the whole boat including the engine. Happy boating.<br /><br />Mattt.

 

[spooky]

Re: Which to buy?? Four Winns 180 Horizon or a Crownline 180??

A big disapointment!!!<br /><br />Went to the Four Winns dealer to put down a deposit and was told that the 22,900 OTD price was for the Freedom not the horizon. In fact, the Horizon is another $3,000!<br /><br />Not sure of this was a honest mistake, but this has pretty much made up my mind to go with the Crownline 180 and the nicer dealer.

 

[KCook]

Re: Which to buy?? Four Winns 180 Horizon or a Crownline 180??

Good move. That price for the Freedom would be just plain nuts!<br /><br />Kelly

 

[burp]

Re: Which to buy?? Four Winns 180 Horizon or a Crownline 180??

Spooky, Check out the Crownline owners forum at www.crownline.com. Any question or concerns with the boat (or dealer) pros or cons will be honestly answered there. Used Crownlines can be found at www.crownline.org.

 

[JerseyJim]

Re: Which to buy?? Four Winns 180 Horizon or a Crownline 180??

im not sure how mercruisers are now - but our last boat, a 1991 galaxy 22'8" walkaround had a 4.3L mercruiser with freshwater cooling and dock flushing. <br /><br />The engine ran great and strong, but the coupler was a NIGHTMARE. and absolute n-i-g-h-tmare. We had to have the outdrive pulled and the coupler repacked and re-aligned every 100hrs. Once a season at least. If we didn't the coupler would explode. Sea-tow dragged us in at least 2 times for couplers. My father and I vowed NEVER to own another mercuiser as long as we lived. We always regretted not getting a boat with a volvo in it, for the volvo couplers at that time could be greased without ever having to pull the lower unit. <br /><br />for what its worth, I've sworn off I/Os altogether, so I'm a bit biased. powerheads on an outboard run about 3-4000 less than a re-power on an IO.

 

[NathanY]

Re: Which to buy?? Four Winns 180 Horizon or a Crownline 180??

I have a 1998 Crownline 225 BR with the Mercruiser and the 5.7 V8. I like it well, its not my fishing boat though. It is very fast and a smooth and quiet ride. Props are extremely expensive though. It has that dual prop system where one spins clockwise and the other is counter while being on the same shaft. I have never seen a 4 winns, but Im sure they are nice boats. I do like the Crownline and I sure you will make a good decision which ever you get.