Overview
The Four Winns H1 slots into a versatile segment of the runabout category. At just over 20 feet, it handles stiff lake chop and carries the entire family while still delivering decent economy. Filled with fuel and gear, the H1 weighs less than 5,000 pounds on its trailer, an easy tow for a midsize vehicle. That the H1 is also an extremely handsome craft is icing on the cake.
The styling is familial to the new Four Winns H2 and H4 models. The H1 possesses the same vertical stem, compound-curve windshield with sweeping side wings, and gentle taper of the beam abaft midship, as introduced on the larger H Series models. The classic look serves as a pleasant contrast to the angular pickle-fork, stealth-fighter lines so common in this category—the H1 exhibits grace rather than aggression.
Interior and Accessories
We tested the H1 in its outboard iteration, which offers more seating and cockpit space than the sterndrive H1. A bench seat wraps around the entire cockpit, with a pivoting backrest at the port console for support facing fore or aft. There’s a trash bin, stowage below the aft seat, and dedicated stowage for a 25-quart cooler below the port seat. The boat does not have a sun lounge, but the top bolster of the aft seat is oversize at 12 inches wide and designed to act as a seat pad when facing aft with feet on the boarding platform. Inwale stowage is lacking, but Four Winns designed a cubby within the aft seat’s backrest with drink holders and a place to stash small items. Upholstery is a smart monochrome, with stitched details and slim stainless-steel accents.
The helm featured an optional Simrad GO7XS touchscreen for navigation ($1,420), with an adjacent MercMonitor for engine data. The boat has two USB ports, but no wireless phone charger. The aluminum wake-sports tower ($7,135 ) is an option.
Engine
Maximum horsepower is 200, and we tested with a Mercury FourStroke 200, which pushed us to over 45 mph and planed the boat in 4.5 seconds with minimal bow rise. Fuel economy was outstanding at about 5.4 mpg at 28 mph. The 3.4L Merc V-6 outboard is a smooth, silent partner on the transom, perfect power for this sophisticated runabout.
High Points
- Spacious cockpit and abundant stowage for a boat of this size.
- Battery is mounted on a slide-out track below the port seat for easy access.
- Wide swim ladder angles away from the outboard.
Low Points
- Port seat bottom does not open far enough to easily reach the cooler below.
- Optional Simrad MFD does not communicate with the Mercury outboard.
- Mercury power steering and digital control are not on the options list.
Toughest Competitor
The Chaparral 21 SSi OB (suggested retail $73,525 with Yamaha F200 and trailer) offers traditional styling and a sun pad, which has adjustable options but takes up a lot of cockpit space.
How We Tested
- Engine: Single Mercury FourStroke 200
- Drive/Prop: Outboard/Mercury Revolution 4 14.6″ x 17″ 4-blade stainless steel
- Gear Ratio: 1.85:1 Fuel Load: 32 gal. Crew Weight: 400 lb.
Pricing and Specs
| Price: | $64,680 (base with test power and trailer) |
| LOA: | 20’1″ |
| Beam: | 8’5″ |
| Draft: | 3’1″ |
| Displacement: | 3,300 lb. |
| Transom Deadrise: | 18 degrees |
| Bridge Clearance: | 3’9″ (6’11” with tower) |
| Fuel Capacity: | 32 gal. |
| Max Horsepower: | 200 |
| Available Power: | Single Mercury or Yamaha outboard up to 200 hp |
Speed, Efficiency, Operation
Four Winns Boats – Cadillac, Michigan; fourwinns.com
