Boating USA — March 2018

SCAN ME

PHOTOS: COURTESY FOUR WINNS

760 sterndrive horsepower, with a top speed of 49.1 mph and best

cruising economy of about 1.3 mpg. The big difference is sound

level. Measured at the helm, the twin Verado outboards produce

just 79 dBA at 4,500 rpm cruising speed compared to 90 dBA for

the sterndrive boat at 3,500 rpm. Let’s also note that outboards can

be tilted completely clear of the water at the dock to limit corrosion

and marine growth. Servicing the engines is easier and less expen-

sive. And there’s now a big empty space for dive tanks, floating toys

or more coolers where the sterndrive engines used to be. Flip a

switch and the aft seat section of the Horizon 350 OB lifts on rams

to reveal a space 1 foot 6 inches deep to a flat floor, which has two

hatches to reach 2 feet 6 inches deep to the finished bilge.

A key objection to outboard power will be that the motors clut-

ter the transom. So instead of a nice view of the bay or the marina

from the aft-facing lounge seat, you have a view of the Verados.

Outboards also don’t look very “yachty” and upscale to some people.

View our photo gallery of the Four Winns

Horizon 350 OB by scanning this tag or

visiting boatingmag.com/3057.

BOATINGMAG.COM | MARCH 2018| 55