www.iFourWinns.com

In addition to what is being said here....
1. Head room (i'm 6'5") To this day we are still surprised how little there is in the competition
2. Screen Door
3. Dual Helm Seat
2&3 were WAF's

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Chris
04 288 Vista

We have been educating/shopping for a trailerable cruiser for about 5 years. In the mean-time we purchased a 97 245 Sundowner (back in '03). The Sundowner was on our VERY short list of boats that fit the most of our needs/desires for a 'before the cruiser" boat. It had a very large cuddy, big open cockpit and was rated for 12 people. We were well pleased with the Sundowner.

In the cruiser search, when we were finally ready to actually purchase a cruiser, we came to the realization that the $80k new or nearly new model that we were looking at (met ALL of the criteria except that it was 9'2" wide ... tecnically need a permit to tow, with other restrictions), would just be too much $$ .... no money left to actually GO boating.

This brought us back to an older (early/mid 2000s) cruiser. THIS brought us back to the Four Winns. We had originally decided against the FW since it was NOT yacht rated (only rated for 10) and the cockpit seating layout is not really conducive to a bunch of family members (we can have a load on the boat for day trips, or going out to fireworks ... etc. Not always, but when the whole family is together ..... who stays home?). However, it DID fit all of the other needs/desires:

* 8'6" beam
* Dual helm seat
* Excellent access to the bow (nice wide, permanent steps up to the windshield)
* We can both fully stand up in the head
* nice size mid cabin berth & easy access
* No arch
* Volvo DP power
* Nicely laid out cabin & large galley
* We liked Four Winns!

For the cruisers in the range that we were now looking at, the FW was really the only one that fit the most important points (except the capacity rating). We had always liked the FW and would have not considered anything else, if the capacity and actual seating had been more attractive.

And ......

We're from Michigan and I was brought up north of Cadilac, my wife vacationed in area too. So .... there's an emotional side as well.

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Gordon Arnold
New Hampshire

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

We are on our 2nd FW, 1st one we bought new 1995 245 sundowner, awesome boat, many good times. When it was time for an upgrade to a small cruiser we looked at just about every brand out there kept coming back to the FW. We bought this one used, but got just about everything we wanted option wise.

1) general look of boat
2) overall style inside and out
3) cockpit lay out (U-shape seating behind helm)
4) FW quality

Of course no one ever stops looking/shopping boats, I have yet to find a boat brand I like better than the FW.

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2000 248 5.7L DP
'92, '94 SXI 750, '08 STX 15F, '12 Ultra LX 300
Videos

Name, Quality, Value.

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2008 H190 Blue W/Red accents 4.3L Merc
2015 Tacoma Access Cab Super White 4x4 TRD Sport
2014 HD FXDC Black Stage 1 Mods V&H Bolt Ons,Naked VO2 AC & FP3.
2011 Polaris 500HO RED]
Life Long Boston Bruin Fan 2011 Stanley Cup Champs!!
#736

I second that.

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"ROCKHOUND"
2005 Vista 298
Georgian Bay, Ontario.

Well after spending $5,500.00 to repair the hull on a 2007 Nitro 189 Sport ,it blistered and Tracker marine told me to read the fine print on their life time limited warranty. Any how I set out to look at all major boat brands.
It was Fourwinns hands down.
-Warranty
-Fit and finish
-biggest bang for the buck.
-The Q&Q V8 power...and an awsome helm

I looked at Larson,Rinker,Chaparral,Dorral,Monterey.....I even took a peek at Tahoe (I know a tracker marine product)
I chose Fourwinns and no regrets.

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2006 F150 FX4
2008 H210 SS
5.7 GXI SX
Compass
Ratchet cover
Bow and cockpit covers
Bow cushions
Q&Q

1. It was the right Price.
2. It was what I wanted.
3. Everything I read about Four Winns was good.

I was considering any boat in the 4k price range. This was by far the best boat out there.

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Todd
1988 Four Winns Horizon 200
AKA "Summer School"

I was reading a few other thoughts on why we purchased the Four Winns and the admiral wanted me to concur on one I did not mention. The dual person helm seat; sitting next to the lonely helmsmen is one of her top considerations.

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“Growing Older, But Not Up”
[

2008 Four Winns V248
2004 Stingray 220CS

I'm on my second FW. Based on my largely positive experience with my first, a 1999 225, my current 2004 245 looked to be good value for money, well designed and good build quality.

Of the first point, I am still convinced I did the right thing.

Of the second point, I'm not entirely convinced; I've found some obvious design flaws since owning the boat, but in general most things are OK

On the third point, build quality, I'm no longer convinced; the more I dig into the way it's built, the more bodges and signs of poor workmanship I come across. The latest being yesterday when I removed the cuddy hatch, to sort out a a leak. The hole in the deck is too big and it's bigger inside the boat than outside, the angle of the cut is something like 30 degrees, meaning there's precious little material for the screws holding on the inside ring to bite into; so, the screws have all been put in at an angle ( like many other self tapping screws I've found). Maybe I'm being too critical, maybe it's just the way boats are built, but I certainly wouldn't have assembled it that way myself.

Graham

Interesting answers from everyone. Like others, I also narrowed it down to a Crownline or Four Winns at the boat show. Was neck and neck on price and features, but the FW dealers was close to the bay, whereas the Crownline dealer was miles from the water. So key reasons for me:

* Four Winns build quality and reputation
* Bangs per buck compared to anything made locally
* Warranty
* Dealer location & flexibility

I have absolutely no regrets at all with my decision to go FW, and would do exactly the same today!

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Alec

2006 Horizon 190
VP 4.3GL/SX, Sunsport

1. Purchased our first Four Winns last spring after owning two Wilkers (Excellent boat no longer manufactured in Canada). Very impressed with the Four Winns overall quality.
2. Exceptionally stable in rough water
3. Cabin very well organized and seats 6 comfortably with room in the cuddy as well for the grand kids play area
4. Quieter than 3.0 L Mercruiser units I have owned.
5. London Ontario boat show with Monterey's etc. (no Four Winns) did not sway our opinion of the excellent boat we have.
6. If I am allowed to move up a foot or two in another year or two, it will be a Four Winns.

A custom ordered 220SS obvious;
1st -reason was looks
2nd - Interior layout
3rd - Four Winns reputation for Quality
4th - Standard vs Optional on other brands
5th - Hull design gives quick plaining, solid cornering, and rough water comfort

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Mike
Smithville, MO
08' Hayabusa, 2011 Subaru Outback, 03' Infiniti G-35 S.C.

So what are we getting from Four Winns for this priceless data. This thread is what marketing departments drool for. We should get something for it eh?

1. Dealer - This is strange, because I bought it from a Skipper Buds dealer, but I really like the folks at Halls in Muskegon. They have treated me very well at Halls even though I went down the street. They know I will buy my next boat from them.
2. Loved the boat - I knew I wanted a decent sized bowrider, but this deal came along and I couldn't pass it up. The 260 has surpassed everything I ever wanted in a boat.
3. FW name brand - I like the brand, what it stands for, and that it is still manufactured in Michigan.
4. This forum - It's nice to be able to talk boats to other like owners and not feel intimidated or looked down upon because I don't know everything or haven't spun my own wrenches. Some other forums are very high and mighty.

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2001 Horizon 260 - 7.4 Volvo GSI DP

1. Dealer
2. Dealer
3. Dealer

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You can't have everything...where would you put it?
Crownline 285 SS
288 V -- sold
278 V -- sold
268 V -- sold
245 S -- sold
214 F -- sold
190 H -- sold

I hope every employee and senior executive at Four Winns reads this forum.

If they don't, or they say they don't have 'time' -- then there's a much larger issue with that organization.

Four Winns makes a great boat... many of us have reputable dealer relationships that are unrivaled... the bang-for-your-buck is there... it's a great combination.

Will they ever surpass Sea Ray? man - wouldn't it be nice!

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