www.iFourWinns.com

Stumbled upon this comprehensive review of the 378. While the 378's on the way out and many of us agree much of its styling is dated, it's still nice to see props (no pun intended) for FW and is a good read...

http://www.jdpower.com/boats/articles/F ... -378-Vista

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Previously:
2008 V358/Volvo 5.7 GXi Inboards

It seems that the opinion is that the 378 will be in for a redesign for next model year but that is not what I heard from my local Four Winns dealer at the Hartford show yesterday. Two years is what he is saying...I asked him his opinion of the hull and he reminded my that that design is the first Hunt hull that Four Winns commissioned and is still considered a great handling and very dry ride. He has a loaded 378 with twin IPS 500's that he is featuring at his open house next week...so, according to him the rumor's of the current 378's death are greatly exagerated!!

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Joe B.
Ruff'N It 4
2011 Regal 42 SC

Previous
2008 FW V358
2006 FW V318
2004 FW V288

The hull and ride might be 'fine' on the 378 but the styling is decidedly dated when compared to other boats, from FW and everyone else. The cabinetry, the layout of the interior and the like just seem 'old'. Still decent stuff, mind you, just not current enough.

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-Bill Kearney, 2005 348 Vista

I'm kind of curious wrt the 378's perceived 'dated' styling? It doesn't have the 'graceful' radar arch or profile of the 358 for sure, nor the cute curved and more integral swim platform. The 358 is breathtaking in profile. Apart from that, I am a little of a loss? We bought the 2007 378 because there was really no other boat like it, and certainly not for the price with options.

Firstly, we like our pets and elderly humans to be able to step onto the swim platform without getting wet -- the 358's integral swim platform would make it a challenge under some circumstances. Sleek translates to awkward.

Secondly, I don't know of any other boat which offers the spaciousness of the interior for two person vacationing; not the 34 or 37/38 Dancers, certainly; 39 Tiara, but we are talking different price point. It really is unique in the marketplace.

The oft mentioned tight helm is only on entry where arguably one's knees might brush together deliberately attempting to pass through in such a manner. Walk up to the foredeck is easy and unencumbered -- the only better boat I've seen for foredeck access is the 39 Cruisers, but you have to take the filler cushion out first, then it is like walking up an escalator. The transom canvas wall could be shortened a bit -- that way I could lower my Nerf Basketball Hoop so I could make the shot when I am bored. Great and unique cockpit dining for the size.

Below, well, hard to complain. Furniture and layout that doesn't look boatlike at all. Anyone who complains about the interior clearly has not sat in the aft settee on the starboard corner with their feet on the table looking diagonally across the cabin to the TV or galley fifteen feet away and wondered about the sheer size of the boat.

Interestingly, the almost twelve foot brdige clearance and slender bow give boaters who are not used to such graceful lines compared to large shouldered boats the appearance of less length than there actually is. I've been looking at boats for decades, have owned this boat for a year and am still panic stricken when I look at mine from a distance and a 37/38 Ray. The difference is when you step on and inspect from a functional perspective.

Hey, we're all Four Winns owners, here, I understand; I'm just really surprised at the comments regarding a dated look. I would agree that finish would be nicer with granite and real wood veneers for sure, but that is a cosmetic and cost concern not a dated concern. The radar arch could be shaved down a foot and reconfigured to make the aft canvas not so large, but then again, it all depends on your height? I have a friend who had more headroom in the shower and helm of his 32 Rinker than his new 34 Rinker where he has to hunch over while driving. And a friend who discovered that her 35 Rinker has no cabin storage.

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Brian Cowper
2007 Vista 378
Volvo 8.1 GI

Kanata, Canada
Brian@Marchbrook.com

Anyone owning a particular model is surely motivated to come to it's defense. So what ARE you on about with the integral platform on the 348/358 as someone being wet? It's not.

The dated criticism of the 378, at least from my perspective, is from the choice of cabinetry and other materials. There's something about the 378 that just screams "old model" styling. Now, don't get me wrong, I think it's a fine boat. But when put in direct comparison to other current models it just seems to come off somewhat dated.

In all other respects, especially with being able to get IPS drives, it's a great boat.

As for Rinker, well, you get what you pay for. I took the usual trip around the Larson, Rinker, Meridian lineups and they continue to fall short of the Four Winns in many respects, fit and finish being the most obvious. You're saving a couple of bucks, and getting less boat as a result. But all boats have evolved quite a bit in the last decade. Step about a well-maintained 80's and 90's era FW or SeaRay and you'll definitely be able to tell the difference. The cabinets are were you'd notice it first. This is always where I find fault with Rinkers and such. The old boats used what was common during their day. Why newer boats try to continue using that junk is a mystery. Same thing for carpeting, vinyl and other accessories.

So I'd certainly be glad to own a 378. If/when they get around to updating it's styling (and keeping the things you point out) I'd certainly be in the market for one.

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-Bill Kearney, 2005 348 Vista

I would rather have the bolted on ESP of the 378 over the integrated ESP in smaller models. Call me "weird" but the 378 looks as graceful to me as the rest of the lineup. And I just don't like molded in swim platforms.

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Brett DiMichele

I have to agree about the bolted on ESP. It is an easy on and looks awesome, especially in the Flexi Teak. As I said, the rounded and contoured swim platforms of the smaller FW cruisers give the boats an awesome look, but with an aging demographic, boaters who want to have easy access for not just themselves but their pets, safety issues on boarding, the old fashioned square platforms, if well designed and sturdy, make a huge difference. I used to have an '89 Cruisers 3270 -- it had an 'integral' swim platform -- talk about dated looks? Integral swim platforms are in again? I'll take function and safety over form. Sorry. And take advantage of the price point the 'dated' styling has evoked.

Cheers,

Brian

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Brian Cowper
2007 Vista 378
Volvo 8.1 GI

Kanata, Canada
Brian@Marchbrook.com

I personally like the 378, and would love to own one, especially with IPS drives.
I just looked on the fourwinns website, and when you look at Vista 378-build it, it shows a picture of an integrated swim platform, is this a mistake or a sign of things to come?
It looks as if they put in a pic of the 358 by mistake.
Robbi

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2008 V288 with twin 5 litre Seacores
http://www.galwayhouse.com.au

As the owner of a 2004 378, I agree with everything everyone has said. The cabinetry and finish below decks is typical for the era it was designed. If I'm not mistaken, it was first introduced in 2002 and has been updated constantly. Looking at some of the old models it seems FW couldn't quite figure out what works on the boat. They went from an electric slide out berth in 2003 to a manual one in 2004 and back to the electric in 2005 (and later I assume). The electrical panel has moved around from the cabin entrance to a place in the middle of the couches. The list goes on and on. Others who have seen mine (including Betterluck with his V358) says the 2004 is a much nicer layout than the 2007-8 version as the privacy wall that creates the forward stateroom makes the cabin claustrophobic.

I have the blue hull with the a red boot stripe and it still turns heads when I cruise by. The styling may be circa 2002, but it is just as functional now as when it was brought out. When rafted up, the crowd seems to gather in my cockpit as the 378 has the biggest table and most seating of any comparable boats out there. The swim platform always draws comments because of the size and functionality (I can tie my dinghy downto the platform without a special bracket).

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Jerry
2004 378 Vista "Escapade", T-Mercruiser 8.1 SHO
2003 Maxum 3300SE
1987 Wellcraft San Tropez
1991 Chaparral 2550SX
1987 Bayliner 2150
!967 Caravelle 1751