I have a 1997 four winns unlimited and am interested in learning about the history of this boats. I dont know what happen with them that they are so hard to find. I even try to reach the factory and never recieve an answer. Any info will be apriciated.

I have a ton of time in both the U17 and U19. I rode in a U17 prototype back in 1995 and that was the boat that got me hooked. As you already know they are bad-azz little boats, especially in the rough. Built like a brick chithouse.

They were only made for 2 years, 1996 and 1997. The 1996s came with higher hp motors and the 1997s came with slightly less hp. They got a bad rap from a boating magazine(I can't remember which one) and I think that really hurt sales. What the magazine didn't mention is they were testing a boat with no trim limit switches and they went into a turn with the drive tucked under and put the boat on it's side.

The 1997s also lost the classic looks. The combo of lower hp, loss of the classic look and the boat test review ended the life of the Unlimiteds. Too bad but makes owning one now much better!

Any other questions let me know.

What engine and drive do you have?

Mine has a 5.7 gi with a sx drive single prop. Is a fun boat to drive and like you said it handles rough water very nice. I use to live in in Puerto Rico that was were i but it a cuople of years ago and it handle does seas very nice but it was kind of wired that mine was the only one in Puerto Rico. So when moved to Fl. i shipped it over her and is the same thing four years in florida and havent seen another one but like you said is nice to know that you have a rare breed in your hands. Do you have any tips in order to make it faster. Thanks for the info. miguel

I don't know any tricks without adding more hp. Mine had the SX drive as well and I tried a ton of props and the 23 Viper was the best. I had a 96 with the 5.7GL motor. I pulled it and put in a newer 5.7 GXI that was 320hp and picked up almost 10 mph!