www.iFourWinns.com

Hey Cap - thanks for the pix (keep em' coming if there are more)! I'm liking what I'm seeing so far. I really feel FW nailed the ergonomics in the V358 - best in its class that I've seen, particularly the helm. From BarryBoats' note it sounds like a concern on the V408 but I'll have to wait to see & judge at the NY show.

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Previously:
2008 V358/Volvo 5.7 GXi Inboards

The walk through was one of the things I liked alot on the Cruisers 390 and 420 Sports Coupe...the retractable roof beats their pull back sun-roof (which is a nice feature also)...but I'm sure that is where some of the price issues come into play.

Per my previous comments on the price...I am still getting pinged from the Cruisers dealer on a left over 2008 390SC that he has...the boat was pretty much loaded for options and had IPS...he showed me a spec sheet and a first blush, non-negotiated price was $430k...he said that Cruisers (for a "show" special) would throw in $15k worth of electronics. The note last week said they've extended the show special for another 60 days and would now offer delayed payments till next April. Guess that is why I'm thinking $750 list, $675 show price for a boat with very similar dimesions (have not seen exact V408 specs yet) at $250k more is out of whack. I'll have to step back from the first impulse and keep an open mind.

I'll second the request for more pics!!! Thanks

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

Previous
2008 FW V358
2006 FW V318
2004 FW V288

Lets do a little Helm comparison between 3 similar sized sport coupes to see what everybody's thoughts are. Which do you like best and why ?

2009 Chapparal 400 Premiere Sport Yacht


2008 Cruisers 390 Sport Coupe


2009 FourWinns V408

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

Current Boat: 2004 Chaparral 235 ssi cuddy

Does anyone have pictures of the cockpit and cabin? I am very impressed with the look of this boat.

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

Current Boat: 2004 Chaparral 235 ssi cuddy

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

Current Boat: 2004 Chaparral 235 ssi cuddy

At first glance I think the V408's helm is a winner. It is hard to judge without seeing the sight lines, but based on what I can see, it feels the best of the three. I actually prefer the Chap to the Cruisers, but the ability to have two displays front and center vs. one as in the 408 makes it a no-brainer. I'm not crazy about the placement of the engine data gauges on the 408 vs. the others but I guess something had to give to accommodate the two displays. I also prefer the placement of the DTS aft of the wheel as opposed to the Cruisers which I also think lost too much of a "yacht-like" feel in an attempt to feel sporty. The 408 also has the warmest feel of the three without feeling cheap IMO.

_________________
Previously:
2008 V358/Volvo 5.7 GXi Inboards

Now after seeing the cockpit and cabin - I am liking what I'm seeing a lot. The mid-cabin looks very accommodating compared to some of the competition. There doesn't seem to be an abundance of storage space as BB pointed out, which would be a shame as we all know there is never enough. I'm eager to see the galley and the head(s). Cap'n...???

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Previously:
2008 V358/Volvo 5.7 GXi Inboards

Very, very nice.

Maybe in 20-years we can look at a used one

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Gordon Arnold
New Hampshire

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

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

Current Boat: 2004 Chaparral 235 ssi cuddy

And a final shot of her underway.

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

Current Boat: 2004 Chaparral 235 ssi cuddy

I actually like the helm, but what is weird about it is how off center the wheel is vs. the others...our 318 has the gauges (and wheel of course) centered off the helm seat...the 408 looks like the entire gauge cluster is offset to the middle of the whole front seat. Might be better ergonomically if the left side curved in toward the captain...but I would certainly not call it objectionable.

Cap'n, thanks for the pic's, definitely brought back my interest...this is a beatiful boat...I'm still thinking that the priceing has some level of early "fishing" in it as an fully loaded introduction...guess we'll have to wait and see.

JB

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

Previous
2008 FW V358
2006 FW V318
2004 FW V288

Joe - If I understand you correctly, your feeling is that the wheel should center up in the helm overall. I think in the case of this boat there is such an expansive helm (as opposed to the others shown) that they chose to center up the wheel with one of the two panels (which appear to be E120's) as on our boats. I really appreciate the front and center placement of my E80. Some of the bigger boats I have been looking at miss that mark and put the displays off to the side. I think if they centered the wheel on a helm the size of the 408's it would have naturally forced the wheel further to port which would have created a lot of dead space to starboard. It looks as though all of the key instrumentation (save the engine gauges) have been centered around the wheel. And the passenger/navigator access to that port E120 again adds to the yacht-like feel. It's also hard to judge the scale accurately, but it seems to be a very good-sized space. I'm curious about the controls below the cup holder.

Cap'n - any ideas on the L.O.A. and beam?

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Previously:
2008 V358/Volvo 5.7 GXi Inboards

Not necessarily saying that I feel it should be any other way....more of a symmetry thing, it just looks off...most likely, as you mention, due to how big the helm is. If the switches and second plotter don't require over reaching to get to, then the layout has a lot to offer. I'm used to looking at my 318 or even 358's which we're designed pretty much off a symmetric line that runs down the center of the wheel.

Believe me, for a boat like this I could get used to it!!

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

Previous
2008 FW V358
2006 FW V318
2004 FW V288

What's that at the starboard stern? Some sort of shiny surface on top?

Oh great, fenders inside the submerging swim platform? How soon as those latches gonna fail and you're off retrieving them...

Can't say I like that helm layout. I find it's important to have the engine data right in front of you. You want to be able to see those needles for oil pressure, temps, etc. Granted, have a second chartplotter would make that one place to show them. The helm equipment layout just looks rushed.

What's with the trend toward deleting storage? This is not progress. I'd like to see more at the forward berth.

From the pictures I take it there are two heads?

Yet another cabin TV that can't be watched from a comfortable seating position.

Otherwise a nice looking boat. Not sure it's worth that much money though.

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-Bill Kearney, 2005 348 Vista