The Four Winns H 190

By Captain Tom Shackleford

The best way to get the family introduced to boating is to have a little something onboard for each member. “Boating is family fun” is more than a motto at Four Winns – it has actually become a mantra of sorts.

The Horizon line-up has been renamed the H Series and the 190 reflects that heritage nicely. Four Winns listens to what the customers have to say by inviting them to their test facilities in Cadillac, Michigan the very week after the dealers are in town to see what’s new. Their input takes an entry-level boat and makes it stand out against the competition’s offerings.

Layout and Seating

The forward-most seat of the bowrider has a padded backrest so that a passenger can sit facing the stern while a skier is under tow. That seat cushion unsnaps to access the anchor locker and a pair of yokes to hold the flukes of a Danforth in place and readily accessible to boot. There are a couple of cup holders up front as well as two of the Sony stereo speakers. One of the bow features is simple but welcome: the stainless steel handrails are lengthy (instead of being only large enough for one hand) along the gunwales that are recessed to accommodate them. Bench seating is hinged and the storage below is carpeted. The walkthrough windshield has a low profile lending to the sporty lines of the H 190.

Helm Station

At the helm station, Faria gauges line the dash and include: a depth sounder; a comprehensive 4 in 1 unit showing fuel level, voltmeter, engine temp and oil pressure; speedo as well as tach. Panel switches are of the rocker variety and operate the basics.

There steering wheel tilts, adjacent to which on the starboard side is the throttle with its kill switch lanyard.

Both the operator’s and the forward passenger’s seat are of the bolster variety and can slide back and forth and swivel. The sole is carpeted as is the acrylic ski locker hatch that lifts with the aid of a single hydraulic lift. The “glove” box actually houses the Sony stereo receiver system. Cubbies are alongside each gunwale.

Stern Features

The stern bench seat is removable as one unit and reveals three storage compartments; the middle one has a deck plate that allows access to the fuel cell. The top of the motor cowling is padded for use as a sun pad and lifts easily with a pull up at its center. Likely this is made all the easier by the two hydraulic lifts. Here is revealed the Volvo Penta 4.3 liter engine. Here again is a well thought out feature. Both sides of the engine are protected by acrylic dashboards that create even more storage space to each side out to the hull. These panels are vinyl “curtains” that snap into and out of place for getting to easy maintenance issues as well as pre-operational system checks.

The swim platform on H 190 that I tested was actually an extension that bolted on to the stock hull molded one. A unique swim ladder is a tri-fold affair that is housed flush with the platform itself and has a cut-out for that final handhold back on board. The four steps are extra wide and off good traction for bare feet to grip while wet.

The folks at Four Winns are good listeners and that feedback is reflected in the H 190. Their customers really know what they’re talking about! And that’s a good thing for the boating public just getting started.

• Top speed for the Four Winns H190 (2008-) is 45.1 MPH (72.6 KPH), burning 16.8 gallons per hour (GPH) or 63.59 liters per hour (LPH).


• Best cruise for the Four Winns H190 (2008-) is 26.1 MPH (42 KPH), and the boat gets 4.38 miles per gallon (MPG) or 1.86 kilometers per liter (KPL), giving the boat a cruising range of 134 miles (215.65 kilometers).


• Tested power is 1 x 225-hp Volvo Penta 4.3GXi gas sterndrive.

Four Winns H190 (2008-) Standard and Optional Equipment

Systems
CD Stereo
Trailer
Exterior Features
Carpet: Cockpit
Outlet: 12-Volt Acc
Swim Ladder
Swim Platform
Tower: Watersports
Canvas
Bimini Top
Cockpit Cover
Full Canvas

= Standard = Optional