Hi All,
I was just at the boat show in Boston last night, and i think im falling for
this Four Winns Freedom 170 O/B. Im debating on whether to spend the extra
$2500 for a 90HP Evinrude E-Tec or save the money and just go with a Johnson
90HP 2-stroke.
I have narrowed my boat choices down to 2 boats, with one being a 17'
Hurricane Deck Boat with a Yamaha 90HP 2 Stroke, and this Four Winns. The
Hurricane is a little cheaper especially if i go with the E-TEC on the Four
Winns.
My Lake Association has a length restriction of 17' and a HP restriction of
70hp. Im going to push my luck and go with the 90 HP. I just got rid of a
17' Bayliner with a 75HP merc, and it could barely pull a skier and with
more than 10 gallons of gas could hardly whip a tuber out of the wake.
I guess for the price of this new boat i wanted to make sure it will have
the power needed to do the above with little trouble.
Of course im being assured that the 90HP will handle things easily, but i
was hoping there may be others out there with either of these boats that
have some experience.
Both boats seem pretty well made, and the amenities on the Four Winns have a
slight lead. Like i said im leaning towards the Four Winns for the following
reasons.
Windshield instead of small deflector on the hurricane.
Seat Layout
Looks, although the hurricane is no slouch
Four Winns name and reputation
Clarion Satellite/CD/FM radio (nice system it appears w/1 year free service)
not a deal maker but a nice benny.
Removable side windshield panels (dealer is checking to see if this can be
done on the none Fish/Ski model)

I guess i need a little push here with the decision.
Hurricane or Four Winns
Evinrude E-TEC, Johnson 2 Stroke or Yamaha 2-Stroke?
The show price included a painted steel trailer and the Galvy was $450
extra, if i only use in fresh water should i save the $450 and not worry
about it?
Ability for either or any 17' O/B boat with 90HP motor to pull
Skiers/Tubers?
Dealer for Four Winns is almost 1 1/2 hrs away, Hurricane Dealer is 15-20
mins.

All comments welcomed

"Mike" wrote in message
news:P4m%b.24594$AL.457120@attbi_s03...
Hi All,
I was just at the boat show in Boston last night, and i think im falling
for
this Four Winns Freedom 170 O/B. Im debating on whether to spend the extra
$2500 for a 90HP Evinrude E-Tec or save the money and just go with a
Johnson
90HP 2-stroke.
I have narrowed my boat choices down to 2 boats, with one being a 17'
Hurricane Deck Boat with a Yamaha 90HP 2 Stroke, and this Four Winns. The


All comments welcomed


Mike, I'm an OMC advocate, but the truth is that the Yamaha 90hp 2-stroke
can be decaled very easily to resemble the 70hp and "comply" with the
association requirements, if that might be one of your objectives. The Four
Winns though, would probably be more performance oriented, with any of the
motors, for skiing etc.

Rob

Mike ,, my friend has the Freedom 170 and his brother has the Freedom 180
(or 190) if there is one, and has a 115hp carb Johnston.
Nice boat, he can barefoot off it no problem.
Very nice and strong hull and transom, he likes to show us how he can at
full throttle just cranke the wheel and throw everyone to one side of the
boat as his sales rep did that to him a few times to show the transom
strength.

I have Fichts and believe them to be the better engines. Much better than
the carburetor engine and much better than the Yamaha.

good luck





"Mike" wrote in message
news:P4m%b.24594$AL.457120@attbi_s03...
Hi All,
I was just at the boat show in Boston last night, and i think im falling
for
this Four Winns Freedom 170 O/B. Im debating on whether to spend the extra
$2500 for a 90HP Evinrude E-Tec or save the money and just go with a
Johnson
90HP 2-stroke.
I have narrowed my boat choices down to 2 boats, with one being a 17'
Hurricane Deck Boat with a Yamaha 90HP 2 Stroke, and this Four Winns. The
Hurricane is a little cheaper especially if i go with the E-TEC on the
Four
Winns.
My Lake Association has a length restriction of 17' and a HP restriction
of
70hp. Im going to push my luck and go with the 90 HP. I just got rid of a
17' Bayliner with a 75HP merc, and it could barely pull a skier and with
more than 10 gallons of gas could hardly whip a tuber out of the wake.
I guess for the price of this new boat i wanted to make sure it will have
the power needed to do the above with little trouble.
Of course im being assured that the 90HP will handle things easily, but i
was hoping there may be others out there with either of these boats that
have some experience.
Both boats seem pretty well made, and the amenities on the Four Winns have
a
slight lead. Like i said im leaning towards the Four Winns for the
following
reasons.
Windshield instead of small deflector on the hurricane.
Seat Layout
Looks, although the hurricane is no slouch
Four Winns name and reputation
Clarion Satellite/CD/FM radio (nice system it appears w/1 year free
service)
not a deal maker but a nice benny.
Removable side windshield panels (dealer is checking to see if this can be
done on the none Fish/Ski model)

I guess i need a little push here with the decision.
Hurricane or Four Winns
Evinrude E-TEC, Johnson 2 Stroke or Yamaha 2-Stroke?
The show price included a painted steel trailer and the Galvy was $450
extra, if i only use in fresh water should i save the $450 and not worry
about it?
Ability for either or any 17' O/B boat with 90HP motor to pull
Skiers/Tubers?
Dealer for Four Winns is almost 1 1/2 hrs away, Hurricane Dealer is 15-20
mins.

All comments welcomed

That explains a lot...nice friend!...

Tuuk wrote in message
...
Mike ,, my friend has the Freedom 170 and his brother has the Freedom 180
(or 190) if there is one, and has a 115hp carb Johnston.
Nice boat, he can barefoot off it no problem.
Very nice and strong hull and transom, he likes to show us how he can at
full throttle just cranke the wheel and throw everyone to one side of the
boat as his sales rep did that to him a few times to show the transom
strength.

Hi Mike,
Both are good boats. I would go with a yammi or suzuki 4 stroke though. It
will add a little cost, but is worth it in greatly reduced fuel consumption
and sound levels. A 4 stroke will last thousands of hours longer and troll
all day without skipping a beat. You can re-decal the engine cover by
ordering a can of spray paint and a decal set for a 60 or 70 horse motor.
That should fool all but a USCG inspector.

--
Capt. Frank

__c
\ _ | \_
__\_| oooo \_____
~~~~|______________/ ~~~~~
www.home.earthlink.net/~aartworks
"Mike" wrote in message
news:P4m%b.24594$AL.457120@attbi_s03...
Hi All,
I was just at the boat show in Boston last night, and i think im falling
for
this Four Winns Freedom 170 O/B. Im debating on whether to spend the
extra
$2500 for a 90HP Evinrude E-Tec or save the money and just go with a
Johnson
90HP 2-stroke.
I have narrowed my boat choices down to 2 boats, with one being a 17'
Hurricane Deck Boat with a Yamaha 90HP 2 Stroke, and this Four Winns.
The
Hurricane is a little cheaper especially if i go with the E-TEC on the
Four
Winns.
My Lake Association has a length restriction of 17' and a HP restriction
of
70hp. Im going to push my luck and go with the 90 HP. I just got rid of
a
17' Bayliner with a 75HP merc, and it could barely pull a skier and with
more than 10 gallons of gas could hardly whip a tuber out of the wake.
I guess for the price of this new boat i wanted to make sure it will
have
the power needed to do the above with little trouble.
Of course im being assured that the 90HP will handle things easily, but
i
was hoping there may be others out there with either of these boats that
have some experience.
Both boats seem pretty well made, and the amenities on the Four Winns
have a
slight lead. Like i said im leaning towards the Four Winns for the
following
reasons.
Windshield instead of small deflector on the hurricane.
Seat Layout
Looks, although the hurricane is no slouch
Four Winns name and reputation
Clarion Satellite/CD/FM radio (nice system it appears w/1 year free
service)
not a deal maker but a nice benny.
Removable side windshield panels (dealer is checking to see if this can
be
done on the none Fish/Ski model)

I guess i need a little push here with the decision.
Hurricane or Four Winns
Evinrude E-TEC, Johnson 2 Stroke or Yamaha 2-Stroke?
The show price included a painted steel trailer and the Galvy was $450
extra, if i only use in fresh water should i save the $450 and not worry
about it?
Ability for either or any 17' O/B boat with 90HP motor to pull
Skiers/Tubers?
Dealer for Four Winns is almost 1 1/2 hrs away, Hurricane Dealer is
15-20
mins.

All comments welcomed

I stopped by the marina near my house tonight and talked to a the owner
about the Four Winns and the E-Tec.
He said the Four Winns was a nice boat, and he said the Etec was worth every
penny, and he actually preferred it to the 4 strokes.
I guess to each his own. I also just read an article in GO Boating magazine
that had nothing but good things to say about the Etec. They also had a
fairly long article comparing 2 and 4 strokes, and the Etec was included
there as well mentioning about its good fuel economy and low maintenance
requirements.
I dunno im sure i could find people to say that either is the best, so i
guess sometimes you just gotta go with your gut, and my gut is telling me
Four Winns and a 90HP Etec.
Just to make matters worse, i got a call from the guy i talked to at the
marina down the street, and he has this 17' Silverline that he will put a
90HP Etec on for $15,530 w/Galvy trailer. Not a bad looking boat, but don't
think she's in the same league as the Four Winns or Hurricane.

"Capt Frank Hopkins" wrote in message
news

Hi Mike,
Both are good boats. I would go with a yammi or suzuki 4 stroke though.
It
will add a little cost, but is worth it in greatly reduced fuel
consumption
and sound levels. A 4 stroke will last thousands of hours longer and troll
all day without skipping a beat. You can re-decal the engine cover by
ordering a can of spray paint and a decal set for a 60 or 70 horse motor.
That should fool all but a USCG inspector.

--
Capt. Frank

__c
\ _ | \_
__\_| oooo \_____
~~~~|______________/ ~~~~~
www.home.earthlink.net/~aartworks
"Mike" wrote in message
news:P4m%b.24594$AL.457120@attbi_s03...
Hi All,
I was just at the boat show in Boston last night, and i think im
falling
for
this Four Winns Freedom 170 O/B. Im debating on whether to spend the
extra
$2500 for a 90HP Evinrude E-Tec or save the money and just go with a
Johnson
90HP 2-stroke.
I have narrowed my boat choices down to 2 boats, with one being a 17'
Hurricane Deck Boat with a Yamaha 90HP 2 Stroke, and this Four Winns.
The
Hurricane is a little cheaper especially if i go with the E-TEC on the
Four
Winns.
My Lake Association has a length restriction of 17' and a HP
restriction
of
70hp. Im going to push my luck and go with the 90 HP. I just got rid
of
a
17' Bayliner with a 75HP merc, and it could barely pull a skier and
with
more than 10 gallons of gas could hardly whip a tuber out of the wake.
I guess for the price of this new boat i wanted to make sure it will
have
the power needed to do the above with little trouble.
Of course im being assured that the 90HP will handle things easily,
but
i
was hoping there may be others out there with either of these boats
that
have some experience.
Both boats seem pretty well made, and the amenities on the Four Winns
have a
slight lead. Like i said im leaning towards the Four Winns for the
following
reasons.
Windshield instead of small deflector on the hurricane.
Seat Layout
Looks, although the hurricane is no slouch
Four Winns name and reputation
Clarion Satellite/CD/FM radio (nice system it appears w/1 year free
service)
not a deal maker but a nice benny.
Removable side windshield panels (dealer is checking to see if this
can
be
done on the none Fish/Ski model)

I guess i need a little push here with the decision.
Hurricane or Four Winns
Evinrude E-TEC, Johnson 2 Stroke or Yamaha 2-Stroke?
The show price included a painted steel trailer and the Galvy was $450
extra, if i only use in fresh water should i save the $450 and not
worry
about it?
Ability for either or any 17' O/B boat with 90HP motor to pull
Skiers/Tubers?
Dealer for Four Winns is almost 1 1/2 hrs away, Hurricane Dealer is
15-20
mins.

All comments welcomed

Hi Mike, I am afraid I do not have any experiences with the
E-tec motors, nor do I know anyone that has one. Sorry.

I can tell you that we have a Suzuki 90 4 stroke with 1700 hours and has
been relitively trouble free, except for some renters running aground. But
that wasn't the motor's fault.
--
Capt. Frank

__c
\ _ | \_
__\_| oooo \_____
~~~~|______________/ ~~~~~
www.home.earthlink.net/~aartworks
"Mike" wrote in message
news:wAz%b.68817$4o.89752@attbi_s52...
I stopped by the marina near my house tonight and talked to a the owner
about the Four Winns and the E-Tec.
He said the Four Winns was a nice boat, and he said the Etec was worth
every
penny, and he actually preferred it to the 4 strokes.
I guess to each his own. I also just read an article in GO Boating
magazine
that had nothing but good things to say about the Etec. They also had a
fairly long article comparing 2 and 4 strokes, and the Etec was included
there as well mentioning about its good fuel economy and low maintenance
requirements.
I dunno im sure i could find people to say that either is the best, so i
guess sometimes you just gotta go with your gut, and my gut is telling
me
Four Winns and a 90HP Etec.
Just to make matters worse, i got a call from the guy i talked to at the
marina down the street, and he has this 17' Silverline that he will put
a
90HP Etec on for $15,530 w/Galvy trailer. Not a bad looking boat, but
don't
think she's in the same league as the Four Winns or Hurricane.

"Capt Frank Hopkins" wrote in message
news

Hi Mike,
Both are good boats. I would go with a yammi or suzuki 4 stroke
though.
It
will add a little cost, but is worth it in greatly reduced fuel
consumption
and sound levels. A 4 stroke will last thousands of hours longer and
troll
all day without skipping a beat. You can re-decal the engine cover by
ordering a can of spray paint and a decal set for a 60 or 70 horse
motor.
That should fool all but a USCG inspector.

--
Capt. Frank

__c
\ _ | \_
__\_| oooo \_____
~~~~|______________/ ~~~~~
www.home.earthlink.net/~aartworks
"Mike" wrote in message
news:P4m%b.24594$AL.457120@attbi_s03...
Hi All,
I was just at the boat show in Boston last night, and i think im
falling
for
this Four Winns Freedom 170 O/B. Im debating on whether to spend
the
extra
$2500 for a 90HP Evinrude E-Tec or save the money and just go with
a
Johnson
90HP 2-stroke.
I have narrowed my boat choices down to 2 boats, with one being a
17'
Hurricane Deck Boat with a Yamaha 90HP 2 Stroke, and this Four
Winns.
The
Hurricane is a little cheaper especially if i go with the E-TEC on
the
Four
Winns.
My Lake Association has a length restriction of 17' and a HP
restriction
of
70hp. Im going to push my luck and go with the 90 HP. I just got
rid
of
a
17' Bayliner with a 75HP merc, and it could barely pull a skier
and
with
more than 10 gallons of gas could hardly whip a tuber out of the
wake.
I guess for the price of this new boat i wanted to make sure it
will
have
the power needed to do the above with little trouble.
Of course im being assured that the 90HP will handle things
easily,
but
i
was hoping there may be others out there with either of these
boats
that
have some experience.
Both boats seem pretty well made, and the amenities on the Four
Winns
have a
slight lead. Like i said im leaning towards the Four Winns for the
following
reasons.
Windshield instead of small deflector on the hurricane.
Seat Layout
Looks, although the hurricane is no slouch
Four Winns name and reputation
Clarion Satellite/CD/FM radio (nice system it appears w/1 year
free
service)
not a deal maker but a nice benny.
Removable side windshield panels (dealer is checking to see if
this
can
be
done on the none Fish/Ski model)

I guess i need a little push here with the decision.
Hurricane or Four Winns
Evinrude E-TEC, Johnson 2 Stroke or Yamaha 2-Stroke?
The show price included a painted steel trailer and the Galvy was
$450
extra, if i only use in fresh water should i save the $450 and not
worry
about it?
Ability for either or any 17' O/B boat with 90HP motor to pull
Skiers/Tubers?
Dealer for Four Winns is almost 1 1/2 hrs away, Hurricane Dealer
is
15-20
mins.

All comments welcomed