Standard and Optional Equipment

Marine Electronics
GPS/Chart
Systems
CD Stereo
Head: Portable
Power Steering
Trailer
Trim Tabs
Exterior Features
Carpet: Cockpit
Hardtop
Outlet: 12-Volt Acc
Swim Ladder
Swim Platform
Tower: Watersports
Transom Shower
Canvas
Bimini Top
Cockpit Cover

= Standard = Optional

Four Winns SL 242

By Capt. Rob Smith

Four Winns has a new line of bowriders that combines some of the best attributes of several types of hulls to bring greater usable space to the boating family. From the bow angle, it looks a bit like the old cathedral hull shape due to the split chine design that starts out as a single chine towards the back and splits into two going forward. This widened the available deck space topside which looks more like a deck boat. The combinations have put together a boat that still performs like a ski boat since it is still a Vee Hull, in fact her little sister offers ballast bags as an option! Four Winns has coined this design the Stable-Vee Split Chine Hull.

As I approached the SL 242, I thought I was at the wrong place. The color scheme and gel coat certainly was much like another very high end design I have seen. The colors were striking and the design was one that will appeal to the most executive person in the group. The stripes in the hull colors were not decal applications. It was premium gel coat that will survive much longer and hold its appeal far better than a decal that gets ripped the first time you touch the docks.

From the Swim Platform

The model I tested had the teak swim platform insert which also included an insert in the bow and two gunwale top pieces of teak in the aft corners. While optional, it certainly went well with the colors on this model. Another option I saw last year that makes a lot of sense is the swim platform rail that you can mount several different accessories on such as the grill which will keep the smoke and drippings out of the cockpit. Just about anything that can be rail mounted can be attached to this rail system.

The swim platform lounge converts with a little effort into a large sunpad that extends over the swim platform and is supported on the trailing edge by swing down support legs. In seconds, you can convert it right back and enjoy the view behind the boat at anchor. On the stern of my test model I also had a stereo remote in the starboard transom walkthrough for the upgraded system and stainless trim buttons for trimming the outdrive from the parking lot or ramp.

In the Cockpit

The transom walkthrough has filler cushions to complete the wrap-around bench seating in the aft cockpit. Under the sunpad is one of seven traditional engine packages from Volvo Penta and MerCruiser, or one of four catalyst engines from either. Upholstery is top-stitched and good quality. Interior gel coat and upholstery colors can be your personal choice of three gel coats and three material colors. The benches offer tons of storage. The starboard side bench has an open front for quick access to the carry on cooler. The table support has a dedicated spot in the port locker. The table support slips into a bracket on the front of the port locker rather than into a pole mount in the deck. I like this design which keeps the sole flat without something to stub your toes on or to collect water and debris. The helm seat is Four Winns ComfortRide Plus seating and on the companion side is a matching design with bolster and backrest that converts from forward facing seat to aft facing lounger or a water sports spotter’s seat.

The companion console sports a handy enclosed head with Porta-potti. The cool feature is how they made it more useful for more adults with the flip up overhead/hatch panel that adds a few inches height.

The helm seemed pretty well laid out ergonomically. Visibility seemed good with the typical framework obstruction from a center walkthrough windshield. On the bolster I was clearly looking over the frame and seated comfortably I was looking through the upper half of the windshield. Instrumentation had the primary gauges mounted higher and above the wheel with room for a Garmin GPS Map 420 between them. Switches were cool looking stainless steel buttons with the horn and wiper switches outboard of the rows left and right of the wheel. The angle of the dash reduced glare from the faces of the gauges in sunlight. Four Winns earns extra points for using a low glare dash cover on both sides. Often just the helm dash is covered and the other two-thirds has white fiberglass that reflects a lot of sunlight reducing your visibility to all but straight ahead.

The sole locker is a dual opening locker with a removable trash receptacle in the forward end and full opening to access boards, skis and other long items up to about 65 inches in length. The windshield was well braced. I test this by locking my arms on each side of the windshield walkthrough to see if it will take my full weight. I didn’t even hear a groan from the dash!

Up Front

Forward is the big feature for the SL series. Often a bowrider has a simple twin bench system that provides room for 1.5 adults to sit up front or a whole gaggle of kids. The huge U-shaped bench on the SL 242 reminded me of the seating a lot of bowriders offer in the aft cockpit. I easily could have 4 or 5 clones of myself up front, although there probably would be a law against having that many of me around. Stainless drink holders are peppered about, including in the recess under the bow gunwale. A filler cushion converts this into a complete sunpad forward. The bow platform is also wider than most. I could sit up front with my wife or daughter beside me, and I don’t remember ever seeing that much space on any bowrider platform. The beach boarding ladder was the only disappointment here as it was just a three step ladder and I could imagine it not being quite long enough for some of the family to use properly.

Specifications

The SL 242 measures 24’5” length overall on a beam of 8’6”. She weighs between 4,870 and 5,080 lbs. depending on the engine you choose. Deadrise at the stern is 20 degrees that curves into a very sharp entry with the split chine design. Fuel capacity is 58 gallons and fresh water capacity is 15 gallons. Total people and gear capacity is 2100 lbs. The bridge clearance without a tower is 6’4” and draft is 17” with outdrive trimmed up, and 33” with it trimmed down.

Conclusion

I was very impressed with the color choices and modern design of the SL 242. I was most impressed with the room for seating. Most bowriders could not hold the number printed on the capacity plate even if they did weigh just 175 lbs. each and you didn’t bring any gear. I believe this model could come pretty darn close, if not meet that design element. The SL 242 offers all the creature comforts and Four Winns has enough confidence in her performance to offer an Ultimate Arch Tower system and MerCruiser Smart Tow system for tow sports (must have MerCruiser engine with DTS). Four Winns is also very certain that their boats will last. The warranty includes a limited lifetime warranty of structural components of the hull and deck, 5 year pro-rated osmotic hull blistering protection, 2 years on non-structural parts and components, and 1 year against cracking and crazing or fading of the exterior gel coat finish.