Looking for Advice - Large Cuddy with Enclosed Head

Graham R · **Posted:** Tue Mar 17, 2015 5:52 pm

ric wrote:

You'll be so excited you own merc power over volvo, at least your wallet will

??
Engine; all the same ancillaries; and electronics , maybe impellors may be different.
Drive; DPS is pretty reliable; DPS-A etc , well, I don't know, no experience.

97_245_sd · **Posted:** Tue Mar 17, 2015 6:07 pm

The place I do winter storage and oil change/outdrive service charges the same regardless of brand. I am excited for more power and the Bravo 3. Our Four Winns was only an SX drive.

I do think we will spend even more time on the boat since we will have the enclosed head. Plus 10 years newer has more features.

ric · **Posted:** Tue Mar 17, 2015 9:55 pm

Graham R wrote:

ric wrote:

You'll be so excited you own merc power over volvo, at least your wallet will

??
Engine; all the same ancillaries; and electronics , maybe impellors may be different.
Drive; DPS is pretty reliable; DPS-A etc , well, I don't know, no experience.

Parts availability and price is where you'll notice a huge difference.

97_245_sd · **Posted:** Tue Mar 31, 2015 10:17 pm

Our 245 Sundowner is listed for sale. Letting the dealer that we're buying the Crownline through broker it. We bought it there and they sold the boat there new to the first owner. Since the boat stays at our vacation home we decided it was worth the fee to let them sell it. I could end up spending a lot more money in gas driving 180 miles each way just to show the boat than the broker fee will be.

They've had several interested calls in the first two days. Waiting to see when we can get it out of storage.

97_245_sd · **Posted:** Sat May 02, 2015 11:55 am

Signed the papers on the Crownline Friday. We officially own two boats now. Good thing is that we already have an offer on our 245. It's coming out of storage today and I'll tow it to the dealer on Sunday.

The Crownline did 47 mph GPS during the sea trial. Not bad for a 6200 lb boat with only a 350 Mag MPI. The Bravo 3 really helps with low speed handling and backing up also. We're excited for this season.

NOLV4V8 · **Posted:** Mon May 04, 2015 7:48 am

Congrats!

Like many of us with new to us boats this year, the itch is getting bad!

Good luck wrapping up the sale and getting on the water.

GottWhat · **Posted:** Mon May 04, 2015 8:46 am

Congrats on the new boat!

I was able to take our new boat out twice this weekend, was hard to sleep the Friday night because I was so anxious.

97_245_sd · **Posted:** Mon May 04, 2015 10:37 pm

Here are some pics of the new boat. It was still dirty inside and out, it is getting cleaned as part of the deal.

Haven't been out on it yet since the sea trial. :cry:

They are fixing a few things and adding a grill mount on the swim platform.
Had to leave right after signing the papers, went to the west side of the state, picked up our old boat and towed it back on Sunday.

Jdpber · **Posted:** Mon May 04, 2015 11:47 pm

Looks good but what's the deal with the chain and no anchor? Windlass issues?

97_245_sd · **Posted:** Mon May 04, 2015 11:56 pm

Its a Danforth anchor, no windlass (yet). It's set up for a windlass as an option with a large flat area recessed under the anchor hatch. The Danforth won't fit in the roller (I tried), it does fit under the hatch but isn't held in place. I may just buy a plow type so it doesn't drive me crazy with it not being held down. Plus the chain is rusty...... I at least pulled the chain tight so it's not hanging like that now.

ric · **Posted:** Tue May 05, 2015 8:17 am

What's the headroom, 5ft?

97_245_sd · **Posted:** Tue May 05, 2015 8:40 am

Not sure on headroom, I'll try to remember. Much taller than the 245.

97_245_sd · **Posted:** Tue Jul 14, 2015 8:09 pm

Thought it was time for an update.

Very happy with our new purchase. No major issues so far with the new boat, I do need to fix the shower sump and forward bilge pump.
The Crownline quality seems good so far, but it is 10 years newer than our old 245 so maybe it isn't a fair comparison.

We had a grill mount installed on the swim platform and have enjoyed that.

The 245 sat for sale for quite a while with plenty of people looking but no offers. Then at the end of June there was a buyer that drove over from the west side of Michigan, did a sea trial and inspection and paid cash for it in one day. Sad to see it go, it was a great first boat and plenty of good memories especially when our kids were little.

Paul I. · **Posted:** Fri Jul 17, 2015 9:08 am

That is very much like the one I owned!! What was great too was the speakers and storage on the stern!

Engine compartment had more than enough room. The storge in the floor of the cockpit was so big. I had to add a rubber seal around it. Water was leaking in and the 2 storage compartment under each seat was all ways wet from it.

I added a radar arch, which I mounted the VHF ant. and radar and anchor light. The wiring is far better that FW hands down! The only thing I hated was the vac-u-fush system that they used. I talked to a few Vuc-u-flush dealers and the said that you have "the bottom of the line model". I had more problems with it. The tank is about 3 or 4 gals, and the pump motor is exposed.

I added a windless too. The anchor locker made it real easy to do and the cover when right over it. Try a Fortress anchor and 30' of 1/4" chain.

Other than that, I loved that boat and hated to sell it. The boat was getting too small for us. I now have a 29'er with twin engines. :lol:

FYI - PLEASE forgive me. I noticed the way you have the boat tied up. If a good wave came by, you would rip off your cleats.

Wet Doggg · **Joined:** Fri May 19, 2006 11:15 am **Posts:** 682

Nice looking boat, where did you find it?

www.iFourWinns.com

Looking for Advice - Large Cuddy with Enclosed Head

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