www.iFourWinns.com

Not to take it away from you, Cougar, but for those interested, I thought I would post some detailed pix of the arch folded (from inside the shrink of my boat upon delivery - these shots also on the V358 thread). The truth is, it's January 12, 32 degrees and I need a boating distraction... sorry.

_________________
Previously:
2008 V358/Volvo 5.7 GXi Inboards

Hey Cougar,
The piping on our seats is black but I think it would be very hard to tell one color from the other. You will love the cockpit TV. Ours didn't come with that option but I had it added after the first weekend. The Admiral and daughter and friends below watching movies and I can watch football up top with a cold one, it's the best spot in the house.

On an operating note I am curious to find out one thing when you are up and running. I need to give ours a fair amount of port tab to bring the bow to level once there it is fine but to start from a full up tab position it will list to port. I would like to know if it is common to this design.

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2008 318 Vista "Ka-wai-ola"
350 MPI/BravoIII DTS Seacore
2006 1500 Key West -70 Yamaha
Previous Boats
Key West 2300CC
Pacemaker 270 Sport Fish
290 Sea Ray

Hey cougar....

I need a fix of new pics to dream about......I know you are gettin ready for you sea trial and all... but come on man.... lets see....

_________________
Jeff

'14 Cruisers 380 Express "Simon Sez"
Merc 8.2 Mag MPI 380
DTS B3X, (x2) Axius Premier


(SOLD)
'08 V318
Merc 350 Mag MPI 300
DTS Seacore, B3 (x2)

What would you like to see?

I'll be at the boat in the shop tomorrow. It's tough to get a wide angle because it's inside a big shop bay right now.

The boat has been cleaned/detailed. We found some gelcoat flaws that are being fixed under warranty.

The guys from Winnisquam fly in Wed evening. We'll be prepping and launching on Thursday if all goes well.

I've got a collection of bumpers, lines, fenders, safety gear, and all the bedding washed up.

Hopefully Thursday we launch and get up to the slip. Friday is a real "sea trial" day. And hopefully Saturday the admiral and I will enjoy a little winter outing!

I need to figure out how to fit "All Night Long" in a fancy graphic and stay within 33'' X 11''. Any ideas?

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

Cougar

33" x 11 ?? That must be just the upper part of transom locker door betwwen the latches? I dont think I would try to "contain" it just on the door. Let it run over on the other door (transom shower) if you need to. A good lettering shop will lay it out on a photo and give you an idea what it will look like. Here is a pic of our lettering, Sorry I dont have one of just the back of the boat That is the Admiral in the blue, Im thinkin she liked the song Anyway by angleing the words and sorta stacking them like this will help I think.

As far as pics... I was just pokin alittle fun... . I am curious on the storage situation. Besides a place for the table under the main berth, from some pics I have seen it looks like you may have some storage further back more to the right... is that the case?

Fender storage.... where do you think you will store them? Its kinda hard to tell in the pic, but I put some storage cages on the port bow and store 3 fenders ther.... we had some smaller ones, that fit inside, but they sucked as far as keeping the boats form bumping together... so we went with the bigger ones up front, 8" dia I think.

Is there any storage under the aft berth couches? I havent been able to tell from any pics.

Insomnia again tonight.. I still gonna look for a better pic.

_________________
Jeff

'14 Cruisers 380 Express "Simon Sez"
Merc 8.2 Mag MPI 380
DTS B3X, (x2) Axius Premier


(SOLD)
'08 V318
Merc 350 Mag MPI 300
DTS Seacore, B3 (x2)

Found another angle

_________________
Jeff

'14 Cruisers 380 Express "Simon Sez"
Merc 8.2 Mag MPI 380
DTS B3X, (x2) Axius Premier


(SOLD)
'08 V318
Merc 350 Mag MPI 300
DTS Seacore, B3 (x2)

Thanks for the pics JSimon....

I'm not sure about layout -- here's what the transome is dealing with. yes, the 33'' is between the latches and the upper surface is about 11'' tall.

I am working on a basic layout. The admiral doesn't want anything fancy. Just simple & classy.

I love your design on the back of yours! Excellent work!

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

Cougar,

I have an opportunity to get a 2007 318 for a bit less than 90K. When the wife
and I looked at them in 2005, we both thought it was a bit cramped to access
the mid cabin berth/settee.


We have always wanted a 328, but can't get the one we want for less than 85K,
and that is a 2003 model with more hours. The extra beam seems to make it a bit
easier to access the mid cabin on the 328.


Obviously, the wider beam makes a big difference, but we might be able to adjust
to the 318 if things work out.

Just wondering if you, and other 318 owners have thought it was an issue on
the 318 for ease of access to the mid cabin.

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

Current Boat: 2004 Chaparral 235 ssi cuddy

Capt Morgan,

If that PIC of the 318 is the "07" you have the chance to buy be careful and check the year off the hull number. Those steps in that picture are from an 06, they changed the step design in 07.

At any rate, 90K sounds like a good deal.

As far as accessing the aft cabin, I dont find it difficult but then again I leave mine as a berth all year because that is where my kids sleep

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Bridgewater, PA
2008 Vista 318

That's an INSANE deal on a 318. If you don't do the deal - let JSimon know about it as he might do it!

PartyCove is right on the steps... they changed the design in 07 - so that is either an 06 or a VERY early 07 build.

It's tough to say about some things because my 08 boat has features that are "new for 09".

Regardless - I have seen a 328 and I found the difference in beam to a 318 negligible.

The times I've gone on my new 318 (not in the water) just make me melt with how much room that boat has. It's amazing.

I am a bigger guy -- 6'2'' and about 270. I can go down into the mid cabin without issue. The port side of the cabin has a lower ceiling - so that would be tight - but otherwise it's really quite nice as a way to get out of the lanes of traffic on that boat.

It's a steal at 90k or less as long as it doesn't come damaged or with issues. I'd be on that quick.

That's a way better deal than I got! ha ha.

_________________

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

That's a steal Capn, good luck!

If only my tow vehicle was bigger....

_________________
2007 358 T-5.7GXi IB
Previous Boats
'08 H240, '08 V318, '04 268, '04 225

I think it's great to see people considering an upgrade!

And heck - the deals are out there! wow.

Keep us posted Cap'n! What's the scoop on the boat/situation? Care to share?

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

It's a bit too early to give details about the possibility of getting the 318 I mentioned.
The seller has fallen on some tough times, like another member of this board, job loss, unplanned baby on the way etc. So, only time will tell if a deal can be worked out.

Also I don't want to hijack this thread any further. I appreciate the info on the mid cabin access of the 318. I'm, still not convinced that 10'9" beam is enough for our needs on a boat this size, taking into account the majority of the big lake boating we do. If anything happens, I will start a new thread.

Now, back to your regularly scheduled early Christmas gift thread........

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

Current Boat: 2004 Chaparral 235 ssi cuddy

Cougar;
This is how I had the name put on our 318. I did have the boat documented so I don't have to use State bow numbers or annual stickers. They do have rules about the size of the lettering and what is on the boat must match what the Coastguard has in their records but it isn't a big deal.

_________________

2008 318 Vista "Ka-wai-ola"
350 MPI/BravoIII DTS Seacore
2006 1500 Key West -70 Yamaha
Previous Boats
Key West 2300CC
Pacemaker 270 Sport Fish
290 Sea Ray