www.iFourWinns.com

Four Winns looks to new models to power sales

By Matthew Seward, Cadillac News, June 21, 2006
CADILLAC - If the dealer show was as hot as the weather Saturday, Four Winns could be cruising to a solid 2007.

The boat builder is hoping dealers will catch a wave of excitement on 2007 models.

“This is an absolute necessity,” said Four Winns President Jeff Olson. “This is where we get our orders for next year.”

Four Winns hosted international boat dealers to try out boats Saturday. Last week, the top domestic boat dealers were in town and this week other domestic dealers will be running boats.

“We had a group of our top dealers earlier in the week and it went very well,” Olson said. “The international dealers are enthusiastic because of the product changes.”

Four Winns also is helped by the weaker U.S. dollar versus foreign currency because it makes domestic products cheaper overseas, Olson said.

The Signature Series line, which includes the 200 and 210 models, have been out at showrooms but had a quiet introduction. Some considered this year an early introduction for the 2007 model year. It is Four Winns' sporty line.

The 210 comes with a 280-horsepower engine, all red gel coat exterior and a docking station for your iPod as well as Sirius satellite radio. The 20-foot, 10-inch open-bow boat includes handy features like a four-step ladder making getting in and out of the water easier, two coolers (a larger one in the back under bench seating and an easier access smaller cooler in the front) and lots of storage room.

Another model making noise is the 378 Vista. The 41-plus foot cruiser comes with three plasma televisions, two cedar line closets and can sleep six. But what really makes this boat popular is its handling. The boat features a joystick to make maneuverability easy.

The joystick allows the boat operator to move forward and accelerate by pushing forward - a twist of the joystick turns the boat.

“I tell people to think like they are playing a video game,” said Mike Downey, Volvo Penta engineer who works at the Four Winns plant in Cadillac.

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2005 Funship 214 5.0GXi/DP | 2006 Yamaha FJR1300

The IPS system in the 378 is sweeeet.

Gotta love the sig series too.

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

Current Boat: 2004 Chaparral 235 ssi cuddy