www.iFourWinns.com

The site has yet to be updated
Shall we place bets on it happening in the next week?

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Previously:
2008 V358/Volvo 5.7 GXi Inboards

My bet is they are shutdown next week and nothing will happen.

Yes, I would bet next week is out too. Are the 2010's any different? What could be new in this market?

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

One would think the 2010 model website would have been worked long before now to be ready for the new year. With the boat shows ramping up in the next few weeks, it behooves Genmar to get their act together.

I know most people seem confident that Four Winns will survive. In the hunt for my boat purchase I spoke with several dealers (non-FWs) and every one seemed certain that FWs would still be around even if it became an independent brand. However, until the deal is done, nothing is guaranteed.

If they do fold, the boats on dealers lots will be awesome deals.

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2003 Four Winns Horizon 220 5.0 GXi/SX

+1. I too predict the brand will survive, but I think there's a lot of undue optimism about what form it will take.

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Mike
2005 Four Winns 230/240
VP 5.7GXi/DP
1998 F-150 XLT
Boat Pic

230 mike, you touch on a key point. The "form" of which the company could re-appear could leave current owners and vendors owed money in a bad spot.

There's a lot of details the bankruptcy court and any potential buyer will have to muddle through. If it means wiping off debt to allow the company to succeed, they'll do it

Bankruptcy laws are f'd up. Imagine if you were one of the unpaid vendors.

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2003 Four Winns Horizon 220 5.0 GXi/SX

I think if they want to survive they have so seriously re-think their product mix...for one thing the smaller to midsize bowriders as nice as they are have a lot of wasted space...very poor engine access (seriously I would not buy one just for that reason on some of them you'd have to pull the engine to change a starter...come on...) and are much the same from model to model...too much overlap and not enough functionality...

And it's way overdue for them to offer an outboard on all of these....because as soon as the cat converter exemptions run out...the I/O will have no more cost advantage...and all of the maintenance headaches they have always had...plus the ones caused by the cat system itself...

Finally they need to get back into mid size cuddys because once you are in a big water area like we are for your next boat a bowrider doesn't cut it safey wize and the crusiers as nice are they are are all I/O....I don't want to HAVE to buy a fishing boat...but that's what it will come down to....

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88 Four Winns 200 Horizon
4.3 OMC Cobra-4bbl
2002 Walker Bay 10/2012 Suzuki 2.5
2008 Walker Bay 8

1998 Jeep Grand Cherokee 4.0/Selectrac
2007 Jeep Grand Cherokee 5.7 Hemi/Quadradrive II

Lou, totally agree. The question is which one? Do we know what the sales numbers are by model?

Sometimes manfacturers sell lower volume units so the equipment costs in the factories are spreadout for accounting reasons.

I think the SL models are going to be a dud and should be dropped immediately.

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2003 Four Winns Horizon 220 5.0 GXi/SX

I heard if from a little bird that it may happen....maybe.


Regarding the model year question, I wonder if there has been any consideration of removing the significance of the model year on boats. As you may know some of the outboard manufacturers have removed this significance.

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Current Operational Boats:
'04-Four Winns 180 Freedom 150 HP Evinrude
'72-Chris Craft Commander 31 Sedan Twin-350Qs

What is an "FL model"

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

Current Boat: 2004 Chaparral 235 ssi cuddy

What are you talking about?

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2003 Four Winns Horizon 220 5.0 GXi/SX

I'm quite fond of the SL boats. I think they are the best looking and most functional boats in the up market bowrider class. Are they worth the money? I'm not sure of that. The MSRP on the SL 222 is basically $10K more than the H220. Sure, it is a nice boat, but "that" nice?

Of course if I was in the market for a $50-60K boat would $10k really be that big of a deal. I don't know if I'll ever know.

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Current Operational Boats:
'04-Four Winns 180 Freedom 150 HP Evinrude
'72-Chris Craft Commander 31 Sedan Twin-350Qs

I looked over an SL and they are a beautiful boat...an interior like a Lexus... but in my salt water environment...totally impractical...it will look like crap in a couple of years unless kept covered all the time...thats's what I had to do with my old 88 after I re-did the whole interior...
What I could not understand is why they had a Horizon 180,190,200,210,220,230...way too much overlap there. could have had 180-200-220 instead....and then...only one cuddy...and no outboards....no real fish n skis (by real I mean with an OUTBOARD and SELF BAILING DECK)....they are leaving out the entire coastal market which to me is a bad strategy....

And if you sell I/Os...get rid of that molded in fibeglass that is part of the top cap and restricts access to the sides and rear of the engine...I bet the dealer mechanics want to take a Sawzall to it! My old 88 does not have that at all...you remove the wood panels and it's wide open...Honestly the engine access is so bad I would have to go up to an H-220 because that's the smallest one where the engine compartment is adequately open...and for those of you who don't worry about this because you don't do your own work....well that's why the maintenance is so expensive....

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88 Four Winns 200 Horizon
4.3 OMC Cobra-4bbl
2002 Walker Bay 10/2012 Suzuki 2.5
2008 Walker Bay 8

1998 Jeep Grand Cherokee 4.0/Selectrac
2007 Jeep Grand Cherokee 5.7 Hemi/Quadradrive II

My question is who would buy an H310? Is there really enough demand for a 30 ft bowrider?

If I had that much money to spend on a boat, I'd be going with a Vista.

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2003 Four Winns Horizon 220 5.0 GXi/SX

I don't have numbers, but my gut feel is that they've sold more 310's than I thought they would. I spent a boat show evening on one and can tell you that if the money were there and I had a slip, I'd be in.

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Mike
2005 Four Winns 230/240
VP 5.7GXi/DP
1998 F-150 XLT
Boat Pic