www.iFourWinns.com

Got home from work and check the forum to find this.

Wow...a big departure from the current boats. I know this style works on the bigger ones....not so sure on the V305. I'd need to see more pics/it in person.

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2007 358 T-5.7GXi IB
Previous Boats
'08 H240, '08 V318, '04 268, '04 225

Interesting. Not sure I like the windshield. Maybe it looks better in person than in the pics. And is that a hardtop on there? The rear facing lights are interesting though not sure what their purpose is. I do like the rear facing seat and grill though.

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'01 Vista 298

The windshield does look odd with the canvas down. However, as a night-time and all-weather boater, I certainly can see the utility in it as opposed to the much reduced visibility through plastic.

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Gordon Arnold
New Hampshire

2003 268 Vista ..................................................................Prior: 97 245 Sundowner

The windshield being so high definitely is a departure from the norm and at first I thought it made the boat look odd. When I sat at the helm I understood right away why they did it that way; visibility is great, no more sitting with the seat bolsters up looking over the windshield or trying to look underneath the top windshield frame. You can easily sit relaxed at the helm cruising along without having the wind blinding you. What should be noted is the option will be there to order a lower windshield.

A full photo shoot will be done in 2 weeks. Since this was #1 and the only V305, changes can still be made to the final mold before delivery end of January. They are taking suggestions. Only one I suggested was a redisgn of the staircase to the foredeck; with the boat rocking it is too easy to fall into the cabin when the door is open.

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2006 Four Winns 278 Vista.
Volvo Penta 8.1L, Duo Prop,
Kohler 5E Generator.

I'm the first to say I love Four Winns and their products.

My wife is the first to say she loves their head designer.

But let's be honest... some good ideas there, but I'm not sure folks will love that boat. Wow.

The lines are good. Love the cockpit. The arch and those wonder-bars with lights in them? (I never saw those).

The windshield... it's definitely function over form on that one. Love and hate it.

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2008 318 Vista -SOLD, but I am still around!
All Night Long, Seattle WA

Ok...in looking at the pictures a second time I have a couple more comments. Earlier this year we upgraded to a 2001 Vista 298. There's a lot I love about the boat including the ability to walk around the entire boat on the outside and the location of the shore power outlets in the transom trunk. Both of those features are lost on this new model. I understand that by extending the cockpit to the full width of the beam you get an extra foot of room, but having that ability to walk around makes some things so much easier....snapping your canvas into place for example or even shoving off from a dock. Now take the walk around ability away and stick the shore power outlets on the side and that just makes things difficult when you're trying to hook-up to shore power while backed into a transient slip somewhere. And I still can't figure out what those rear facing lights are for...

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'01 Vista 298

I'm not 100% sure which model it is replacing, but if I'm thinking right its the 288. The 248/268/288 all have a walk-through windshield, and not the side walk through thats found on the bigger boats. We've got a side shore power tie up and I think its just fine..keeps the swim platform uncluttered.

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2007 358 T-5.7GXi IB
Previous Boats
'08 H240, '08 V318, '04 268, '04 225

We had the side hook-ups on our Chaparral and I thought it was fine....until we bought the 298 and had the hook-ups in the transom trunk. I find it so much easier to stand on the swim platform and hook up power vs. hanging over the side and trying to do it. It wasn't so bad when you have a dock (or finger pier) next to the boat, but when the finger pier is on the opposite side...no fun. And then you still have to deal with running cords either all the way around the boat and across the platform or over the bow which is kind of messy. Nope, much prefer the hook-ups in the rear of the boat.

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'01 Vista 298

Docking lights. Had them on my Carver and they came in handy.

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Current Boat: 2000 Four Winns 298 Vista
Previous Boat: 2000 Carver 406MY

I'm a little late to the game on this one....

I'm not liking this boat at all. Maybe I need to wait for the full photo shoot and official photos. I like the size of the cockpit and the hardtop.

The windshield is definitely more function than form. I think they will sell more of the short ones than the taller.
Why is the seating so square? It doesn't look comfortable. I find a little shape helps "glue" you in place.
Is the whole galley been moved to the cockpit or only supplementals? I like th idea of it all being above.
I don't like the fact that you have to crawl over (if made up) or through the dinette to get to the V berth.
Is there an aft cabin?
So far, IMO, this boat would be better labelled as a Sundowner 305.

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Marc, Kathlin & Nathalie


'89 Chaparral Laser 32

'93 Vista 245, 5.8L w/ King Cobra

Former Boats
'01 H260, 7.4 VP Duoprop
'98 H200, 5.0 GL w/VP SX drive

I was thinking the same thing. I'm used to seeing FW cockpits (or most modern cockpits for that matter) with a looks that flows together. This one looks all squared off....almost like cockpits did about 10-15 years ago.

I wonder if anybody from the FW leadership team or design team is reading this thread...

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'01 Vista 298

I'm sure they are. More lurk on the board than we know about.

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2007 358 T-5.7GXi IB
Previous Boats
'08 H240, '08 V318, '04 268, '04 225

That "squared off" look is likely an attempt to be "Euro-look". I don't especially like it either.

Yes, the funky, crawl over the dinette to get to the v-birth, thing is ummm .... odd. Have to see that in person. Maybe we're missing something from that one shot .........

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Gordon Arnold
New Hampshire

2003 268 Vista ..................................................................Prior: 97 245 Sundowner

Just to answer some of the questions :

The lines of the boat are very much like the V435, walking up it was obvious styling was taken from there.

There is a space between the windshield and top ~2 feet that is designed to have a sunbrella cover. With that little space it is almost worth dropping the arch/hardtop a few inches and enclosing it completely. Thus making a miniature V435.

There is an aft cabin, nice size with 19 inch tv

There is a small galley down below, although I can't remember if there is a refridgerator down below as well.

Another option available on the V285 is the sunbrella upholestry. I'm not a fan but I am sure it will change both the look and comfort of all seating if offered on the V305.

Walking over the dinette to get to the Vberth is a necessity, the back of the seat lifts up to extend the bed (interior pictures shows it lifted up). This design does give the interior more space. On other brand boats I feel it is necessary to move up at least 10 feet in size to gain any walking space, not so with the 305. I am a fan, after about 1/2 hour on the 305 with the exception of the step down from the foredeck, I was sold on the concepts. The V305 fixes the few grievances I have about the V278.

Looking at the windshield from the outside makes it look different for sure and it will take a bit of getting used to; but from the helm, its great. Perhaps a happy medium would be to chop a foot off, maybe 2 feet?

I agree with the side vs rear hookups. When backed into a slip, rear hookup is just 100x easier to deal with.

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2006 Four Winns 278 Vista.
Volvo Penta 8.1L, Duo Prop,
Kohler 5E Generator.

The walkover bench seating in an express is new for Four Winns. Not for Sea Ray or Monterey

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One of 4 Previous (Sold) Boats:
2000 Four Winns 268 Vista

Current Boat: 2004 Chaparral 235 ssi cuddy