Four Winns calls the SL series a “Cross-Stream” design. What they have done is merge some of the best qualities of a sport boat, deckboat and skiboat into one roomy ride. The bow has seating like a deck boat, yet the hull is still a V-hull. It is called Four Winns Stable-Vee Split Chine Hull. That’s a mouthful, but it is supposed to deliver the same dry ride along with the performance of a skiboat. I took a look at one that was really tricked out for wakeboarding. It had the Ultimate Arch Package along with a Sony Ultimate stereo upgrade for rocking sounds and hot tricks on the water. Now you can get into the serious ski/wakeboard market without having to buy the expensive inboard.

Four Winns SL 222 (2009-) Specifications

Length Overall	22' 7'' 6.88 m	Dry Weight	4,470 lbs. 2030 kg
Beam	8' 6'' 2.59 m	Fuel Cap	50 gal 189 L
Draft	33'' 84 cm	Water Cap	none
Deadrise/Transom	20 deg.	Bridge Clearance	4' 2'' 1.27 m
Max Headroom	open
Prices, features, designs, and equipment are subject to change. Please see your local dealer or visit the builder's website for the latest information available on this boat model.

Four Winns SL 222 (2009-) Engine options

Std. Power	Not Available
Tested Power	This model has not been tested.
Opt. Power	1 x 300-hp MerCruiser 350 MPI/Bravo III 1 x 300-hp MerCruiser 350 MPI/Bravo III DTS 1 x 320-hp MerCruiser 377 MPI/Bravo III DTS 1 x 260-hp MerCruiser 5.0 MPI/Bravo I 1 x 320-hp Volvo Penta 5.7 GXi

Printer Friendly Report

Four Winns SL 222

By Capt. Rob Smith



With more features and a long list of innovations, is it any wonder why this boat was awarded Trailer Boat Magazine’s “Zenith Award” for design excellence?

Starting from the Rear

The swim platform in its standard version has blue courtesy lights, starboard swim seat for preparing for a swim or slipping on a board or skis and a concealed deep reach angled boarding ladder. You can add either the rubber mat surface to the swim platform and bow platform, teak inserts or the simple anti-skid surface. You enter the cockpit from the port side transom walkthrough. You can add a Fat Sac system below the swim seat and in the port side locker, that along with a bladder in the sole locker and these two lockers, adds 1400 lbs. of individually filled and drained ballast for creating that perfect wake. The sunpad has an extension that flips over the walkthrough and has an angled position for even more relaxation.



There’s a lot to like at this end of the boat. Note how far out the swim platform extends. That keeps you clear of the outdrive. It’s also close to the water, great for putting boards on. The ladder is off to the side so it’s not only away from the drive, whoever is re-boarding can be seen from the helm. Notice the ladder has four steps for easier access, and she’s grabbing a built-in handhold. The aft facing seat in front of her has storage underneath. You can opt for real teak or flexiteek on the surface. And note the through hull exhaust, switchable for an emergency dose of cool.

In the Cockpit

The aft cockpit has room for your buddies to relax in comfort on double stitched and well padded upholstery. You can choose from three colors of interior gel coat and three complimenting upholstery colors. The L-shaped bench seating aft has a filler cushion system for the transom walkthrough expanding seating by one more space. Under the sunpad beats the power plant which is one of seven engine packages from either Volvo Penta or MerCruiser. You may also choose one of four catalyst engines by special order. For precise control for tow sports, Four Winns offers the Smart Tow system with MerCruiser engine packages with DTS. For that throaty rumble that tells everyone you have power at your fingertips, you can add through the side quick and quiet exhaust, but not with the Fat Sac system.



You gotta love wood. This beautifully accented helm features multi-function gauges to reduce clutter. That’s an optional Garmin GPS/MAP 420 flush mounted to port. And just above it is a glove box for your small electronics. That switch, in the forward starboard corner, is for the tower lights.

The port console has the same elegant wood accents as the helm panels. I was really surprised, and impressed, with the drawer for the glove box. This near full extension drawer is far more useful. The seat is just as comfortable as the helm and has a flip over backrest that simply converts from a forward facing seat to an observer’s seat or aft facing lounge. The sole locker has a double opening. The forward hatch conceals a trash bin or it can be used for wet items as a drain bag. The locker is plenty large enough to stow boards, skis and other large items. Another cool (or warm), option on the SL 222 was the cockpit heater system. I have been on a lot of boats in the late fall and winter, and if I was soaked in a wet suit, I would love this system. You can pull the vent out and extend it to the top of your wet suit and blow comforting air inside to warm you up. This is much better for you and more legal than the liquid anti-freeze you could consume.



The depth gauge also gives air and water temp. And with the little water line separating the two, it’s easy to see which is which.

The helm ergonomics were well thought out. The Comfort Ride seat was very comfortable for a long ride. The bolster had me looking clearly over the stainless windshield cap and seated I looked through the upper half of the windshield. The dash cover, on both the port and helm side, was a low reflective cover so visibility was not reduced by white fiberglass glare on either side. Primary gauges were mounted high and over the tilt sport wheel. Four Winns has a dedicated spot between the primary gauges for a Garmin GPS Map 420 if you would like to add it. You would find the same type of real wood accents on the dash and wheel on most high-end European sports cars today.



Why put a glove box in front of the passenger seat? Four Winns engineered a drawer. Much more versatile and holds a lot more. And check out the non-skid surface inside.

The windshield was well braced and easily supported my weight, dangling from the top for the 3 or 4 seconds I could hold myself up. I really have to work on my biceps and triceps!

Tow Sports

Of course, if you are really into tow sports, you have to have an arch and board racks. Four Winns has two you can choose from. The boat I checked out had the Ultimate Arch Package that included the stainless steel arch, hinging board racks, 4 speakers, lights and tow mast. The upgraded sound system they had from Sony on this one was simply awesome. It wasn’t the typical upgrade, but still, if you are into sound, you would be close to heaven with it.



Both the helm, and port-side passenger seats can be flipped to rear-facing seats.

Up Front

Bow seating is the most obvious advantage to this new design from Four Winns. You gain room for one or two more adults or several kids up front in the wrap around seating of the SL series. The bow platform has a beach boarding ladder that has three steps. I like at least a four step beach boarding ladder so even the vertically challenged can help themselves aboard.



The size of the bow seating is only the start of the features in this space. The bow canopy not only gives you privacy when using the Porta-Potti, it also makes a great sunshade for taking a nap on the filler cushions.

Specifications

The SL 222 measures 22’7” with a beam of 8’6”. This model tips the scales at approximately 4,420-4,470 lbs. depending on the engine package you order. Fuel capacity is 50 gallons and fresh water capacity is 12 gallons. Draft is approximately 33” with the outdrive down and 17” with it trimmed up. Capacity is rated at 1800 lbs. people and gear combined.

Conclusion

Based on what I saw on this model and my experience with Four Winns over the years, the SL 222 will be a hit with the two-sports crowd. It has the features and the options to trick it out the way you like and should have all the performance you need with the Stable-V Split Chine Hull design.

Four Winns SL 222 (2009-) Standard and Optional Equipment

Marine Electronics
GPS/Chart
Systems
CD Stereo
Head: Portable
Power Steering
Trailer
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 222 (2009-) Warranty Information

Warranties change from time to time. While BoatTEST.com has tried to insure the most up-to-date warranty offered by each builder, it does not guarantee the accuracies of the information presented below. Please check with the boat builder or your local dealer before you buy any boat.
Certifications
NMMA Certification	Yes

Four Winns SL 222 (2009-) Price

Base Price (MSRP)	$0.00
Price as Tested	$0.00
Prices, features, designs, and equipment are subject to change. Please see your local dealer or visit the builder's website for the latest information available on this boat model.