It’s definitely time to get some air moving, so the driver cranks the key that fires up the 280-hp, 5.7L Volvo Penta Gi with the single-prop SX outdrive. The attractive Faria instrument layout with Newport four-in-one gauges includes the usual suspects as well as a standard hour meter and digital depth sounder with shallow-water alarm. The driver and co-pilot sit on bucket seats that feature the Comfort- Ride inner-spring system, which gives you great support and has a wraparound design that keeps you secure during extreme turns (more on that later). The flip-up high-rise bolster seat gets the driver’s head above the windshield, and on a day like today — with a rather long idle to open water — it’s much appreciated. Speaking of windshields, the new 200 Horizon is the first in the revamped lineup to get the sleek wraparound look with no braces in the corners or sides for greater visibility, as well as enhanced aesthetics. On top of the dash is a charcoal gray, non-reflective surface that is highly effective and works to eliminate annoying “ghosts” from intruding into your vision.
Looking at the previous water levels on the canyon walls surrounding the lake shows that graphically the water is way down — in fact, it’s at the lowest level in 40 years. So despite being fairly deep in most spots, there are now some new “reefs” that most boaters familiar with these waters haven’t had to contend with. One hard and fast rule holds true here — if you see a bird standing in the water, it would be a mistake to assume that it must have really long legs. Even though the water’s low, Lake Mead still has almost 1.5 million acres of runaround room for its estimated 8 million annual visitors.
Finally reaching open water, the driver summons forth all 280 horses and gets the Horizon on plane in 4.5 seconds. It reaches 30 mph in a tick less than eight, although both numbers would improve with the preferred Duoprop configuration. Easing it up to 40 mph, the 200 is put through a series of hard turns, which reveals its excellent handling. With the trim down, you can crank the wheel all the way to its stops, and the boat still keeps turning, which is pretty impressive. At slower speeds the 200 displays exceptional lateral stability, and this is no accident. The story goes that one of the engineers took his mom out for a ride, and while she thought the experience was OK, she remarked that the boat’s rocking felt unstable and made her a bit uncomfortable; that’s when the engineer’s mental light bulb clicked on. The result is what Four Winns calls the Stable-Vee hull, which is its own take on the variable deadrise design — sharper in front to handle the chop better, flatter in the back for more stability and quicker planing.
Twin pods outboard on the extreme rear also help to minimize running surface for a higher top speed, and the Horizon bears that out by reaching 51.5 mph despite the heat and altitude out in Lost Wages. The only beef with the running surface is the lack of trim tabs or the option to add them, but people (like the author) who are determined to have them will find it easy to go to the aftermarket and find inexpensive models that will keep the boat running level even if your sumo-esque buddies all want to sit on the same side. With a length of 20 feet 10 inches and a full 8-foot-6-inch beam, the 200 Horizon is roomier than most in its class.
Four Winns fans will recognize the 200 Horizon name, but this one is vastly improved. The most noticeable difference is the swim platform with a new wide-step boarding ladder. Although the older model (introduced in 2001) has a larger one, it was one of those bolted-on models and looked like it. The new stern treatment on the new 200 is very elegantly integrated into the boat’s lines. Another new feature is the stern walkthrough, which allows boarding passengers to avoid stepping on the nice white Aquaflex vinyl that is soft to the feel. The advantage here is that unlike thicker, stiffer vinyl, Aquaflex is more resistant to cracking.
This boat is equipped with an optional wakeboard tower, which really gives it a sporty and modern look. There are two different tower configurations, including the deluxe, which gives you a Bimini top, board racks and two Tubby speakers with subwoofer and amp that will take your sound system to the next level. But even the standard four-speaker Clarion CD stereo (you will never see a cassette player on a new Four Winns) with driver-side remote and one free year of SIRIUS satellite radio will satisfy all but the most hard core of headbangers. Although no super-serious wakeboarder will mistake this boat for a tournament ski boat, at 20 mph (the preferred speed for most wakeboarders) it puts out a perfectly adequate jumping wake even with one person on board. If you invite three or four friends or carry additional ballast, you won’t have any problem catching some air. At higher speeds, slalom skiers will be treated to a fairly flat wake. This, of course, definitely makes it a nice all-around ski boat for the recreational crowd.
The Las Vegas test boat is decked out in the Sun Sport Configuration, which gives you twin bucket seats, a stern bench, flip-up stern walkthrough, and a larger-than-you-would-expect-for-a-20-footer sunning platform. The standard layout provides a captain’s bucket and back-to-back fold-down seat for the co-pilot. Twin jump seats in the corners of the stern can be raised flush to create a sunpad, albeit an inferior version to the one on the Sun Sport. Up in the bow, passengers have very comfortable seating with those facing forward getting some backrest angle for comfort that even have storage behind them. Taller riders won’t have a whole lot of stretch room due to the helm-forward design that gives you an impressive amount of cockpit space. But a really nice touch is the deluxe rearward facing bow seat, which is usually an afterthought on most boats.
Of course, there is storage under the seats up front and in the stern, and there are smaller compartments scattered all throughout the boat. There’s a built-in cooler with overboard drain in the passenger console, and on the Sun Sport model, you even have a second cooler with dedicated storage under the middle of the stern seat bottom. The ski locker amidships has a hydraulic ram to hold the lid up, giving you easy access to the relatively shallow compartment, which has a rubber mat at the bottom. Seven cup holders are located throughout in strategic locations, and for comfort there is 40-ounce snap-in carpet that comes standard.
Manufacturer’s suggested retail for the 200 Horizon with the max-horsepower 5.7L Volvo Penta Gi engine is $39,162, and even without options it’s a nicely equipped package. When customized with options like the wakeboard tower with Bimini top, colored hull, cockpit table and Sun Sport seating with stern walk-through, the price goes up to $43,331, counting the $1,031 destination charge. While this price is considerably higher than a lot of other 20-footers, you’re getting a boat that’s equipped and finished like you would expect to see on a high-end boat with nice touches like an engine compartment that’s finished with gel coat, premium CD stereo with satellite radio, tilt-steering, snap-in carpeting, and dual axle Sure-Load trailer with disc brakes, just to name a few. Over the past couple of years Four Winns has been updating its lineup to embrace the Cross Stream Architecture, which blends the conveniences and storage of a deck boat with the thrilling handling and styling of a sport boat. The result: three cheers for Four Winns.
The Verdict:
Sporty, good-looking, and loaded with standard features, the 200 Horizon will be a hit with recreational skiers or cruisers. Nimble handling and good performance make this a fun boat to drive. Even as well-balanced as this boat is, trim tabs should at least be available as an option, and do-it-yourself mechanics will find the engine compartment a little tight on space.
Sporty, good-looking, and loaded with standard features, the 200 Horizon will be a hit with recreational skiers or cruisers. Nimble handling and good performance make this a fun boat to drive. Even as well-balanced as this boat is, trim tabs should at least be available as an option, and do-it-yourself mechanics will find the engine compartment a little tight on space.
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