Staying in the Four Winns family.

firecadet613 · **Posted:** Mon Jan 27, 2014 9:37 pm

ric wrote:

Having never been in a 248, how do you feel it is for a couple overnight coming from a cuddy that's the size to a 225 Sundowner? Do you sleep in the v-berth or use the mid cabin? As my want to keep a trailerable vessel would it be wise to just go for the 268 as the 248 wouldn't be much of an upgrade?

I had a 225 and moved up to a 268. Huge difference. Could barely sit up in the 225, to walking in the 268. Both trailerable. Didn't consider a 248 because not a big price difference between the two, and the galley size is bigger in the 268. The two feet help.

ric · **Posted:** Mon Jan 27, 2014 9:49 pm

firecadet613 wrote:

ric wrote:

Having never been in a 248, how do you feel it is for a couple overnight coming from a cuddy that's the size to a 225 Sundowner? Do you sleep in the v-berth or use the mid cabin? As my want to keep a trailerable vessel would it be wise to just go for the 268 as the 248 wouldn't be much of an upgrade?

I had a 225 and moved up to a 268. Huge difference. Could barely sit up in the 225, to walking in the 268. Both trailerable. Didn't consider a 248 because not a big price difference between the two, and the galley size is bigger in the 268. The two feet help.

The Chap 215 I can't stand of course, but I'm nearly 6'2 and I still have some inches over my head in any spot sitting in the cabin. Sleeping I can stretch out. 4 adults sitting inside playing cards on the table is not cramped. I have no problems with the space it gives me in that retrospect. I toured an older late 90's 258 Vista that was repowered with a late model 8.1 DP. God, it massive in there. I'm not sure how the older 258 compares to the mid 2000's 268 but it made my cuddy feel like a shoebox.

Cap'n Morgan · **Posted:** Tue Jan 28, 2014 8:13 am

This should be an amusing thread to follow for the next few years.......

ric · **Posted:** Tue Jan 28, 2014 10:26 am

Cap'n Morgan wrote:

This should be an amusing thread to follow for the next few years.......

I'll probably be following in your footsteps. I can see myself going to a sub 30 cruiser and eventually going back to a bowrider one day.

Decision · **Posted:** Tue Jan 28, 2014 11:54 am

ric wrote:

Cap'n Morgan wrote:

This should be an amusing thread to follow for the next few years.......

I'll probably be following in your footsteps. I can see myself going to a sub 30 cruiser and eventually going back to a bowrider one day.

There ya go Cap'n, you're a good role model for ric.

Mike.

ric · **Posted:** Tue Jan 28, 2014 12:06 pm

Decision wrote:

ric wrote:

Cap'n Morgan wrote:

This should be an amusing thread to follow for the next few years.......

I'll probably be following in your footsteps. I can see myself going to a sub 30 cruiser and eventually going back to a bowrider one day.

There ya go Cap'n, you're a good role model for ric.

Mike.

I'm not going to lie, I miss the 180. Times were simple and fun. I've pondered over the idea of just getting a 16 foot CC as a secondary to the cuddy to fool around on.

Cap'n Morgan · **Posted:** Tue Jan 28, 2014 12:25 pm

Quote:

There ya go Cap'n, you're a good role model for ric.

rpengr · **Posted:** Tue Jan 28, 2014 1:16 pm

ric wrote:

Cap'n Morgan wrote:

This should be an amusing thread to follow for the next few years.......

I'll probably be following in your footsteps. I can see myself going to a sub 30 cruiser and eventually going back to a bowrider one day.

Ha Ha.

My final boat in life will probably be back to a 14ft Alum jon boat with 7.5 hp... When I'm in my late 80's if I'm lucky.

ric · **Posted:** Tue Jan 28, 2014 1:22 pm

rpengr wrote:

ric wrote:

Cap'n Morgan wrote:

This should be an amusing thread to follow for the next few years.......

I'll probably be following in your footsteps. I can see myself going to a sub 30 cruiser and eventually going back to a bowrider one day.

Ha Ha.

My final boat in life will probably be back to a 14ft Alum jon boat with 7.5 hp... When I'm in my late 80's if I'm lucky.

Sounds like my father. Owned/sailed/lived on 30+ft sailboats since his 20's. Turning 70yo this year and all he wants to do is sell his boat and pick up a 16-18ft carolina skiff, drink beer, and hang out with his buddies while enjoying retirement.

acguy · **Posted:** Tue Jan 28, 2014 3:11 pm

JeffLW wrote:

acguy wrote:

I would look at the cruisers 340. If looking for 2006 or newer they are a nice vessel. I find all boats minus the four winns to be dated pre 2003. At least four winns started putting the cherry cabinets in in 2000/2001

How was the jump from a 248 to a 328? Besides the fuel, storage and maintenance costs. :shock:

Did you have any issues getting used to the bigger boat?

The transition was fairly easy. When we went from the 225 sundowner to the 248 I had that feeling wow this feels like a big boat. From the the 248 to the 328 had the same feeling but no anxiety over docking and manoeuvring it. You just really need to make sure when heading down a channel in the marina there is enough room for you.
As far as space goes wow what a difference. We has the kids 4-6 sleep in the aft and my wife and I finally get to to share a bed on the boat which never happened on the 248.
Also you will find on the 328 it has one of the biggest galleys of a boat in its class. There is ample counter space to prepare a good family meal down there. I have learned that beam on a boat is everything. I looked at a cruisers 3375 which has a13' beam and a ton of space but for a 2000 it was very dated and also it would not fit in our slip which would mean a those $$$$ for a slip
You will not be disappointed if you move to a 328/348!!!

strick · **Posted:** Tue Jan 28, 2014 6:57 pm

The FW 318 and 338 models were our targets, but then we looked at the chaparral 330 and really liked how the forward berth converted to a seating area electronically, and it had a private master stateroom. For that size express boat, I still like that model the best. Ultimately, we went with a flybridge meridian in order to get more room. Very happy we did, but the FW and Chap boats are nice if you want an express. Regals are wacky styling, Larsons have a place in my heart from the old 280 we owned, but they are all Volvo engines now. Monterey makes some nice express boats too. Formula is too pricey, I feel. Good luck in the search.

ric · **Posted:** Tue Jan 28, 2014 7:01 pm

Room? Your boat is a mansion compared to any express.

JeffLW · **Posted:** Tue Jan 28, 2014 9:09 pm

ric wrote:

Having never been in a 248, how do you feel it is for a couple overnight coming from a cuddy that's the size to a 225 Sundowner? Do you sleep in the v-berth or use the mid cabin? As my want to keep a trailerable vessel would it be wise to just go for the 268 as the 248 wouldn't be much of an upgrade?

I think it is perfect size for a couple. I think the mid cabin is most comfortable for sleeping, but with both of us in it, it can be a little claustrophobic. Especially for the person on the inside. We find it much better to sleep in the v-berth but the cushions kind of suck. I'm looking into getting a mattress for the v-berth for this summer. The best thing about moving up from a cuddy is probably the pump out head. The sinks to wash dishes and brush your teeth are nice as well.

I was really searching for a 268 but couldn't find one in the condition and price I wanted. A 268 with a trailer was almost impossible to find when I was looking. The 248s were also $10k less then the 268s at the time. There is not much difference in between the 248 and 268. The cockpits are the exactly the same size. The 268 has more storage space in the galley, behind the head, and in the rear locker. If I had unlimited funds I would have gotten a 278.

ric · **Posted:** Tue Jan 28, 2014 10:01 pm

A little extra storage isn't worth 10k that's for sure. Now I just gotta wait, or win the lottery.

strick · **Posted:** Wed Jan 29, 2014 8:12 am

ric wrote:

Room? Your boat is a mansion compared to any express.

True, but the cost was not far away from what the 30-35 foot express boats of similar vintage are priced at. Buyers just need to decide what is right for the buyer: size vs speed, I/O vs inboard, dockage/ storage, etc. I'm glad we went big, I can use the jet boat to get my speed thrills.

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Staying in the Four Winns family.

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