www.iFourWinns.com

That looks awesome. Hope the doors never bang into each other. Any 338s on the lot?

Congats. Nice looking boat. How much room do you have in the mid?

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348 Vista ( Last Call )
Raystown PA

The boat just to the left in the bow picture is a 338...don't know if it is an 09 or leftover 08. The doors don't hit when one is closed and have little urethane bubbles where they contact the step...I will keep an eye on it and add a bumper if needed.

The mid is cozy, but works well, there is stand up room right inside the door, and the seating room at the table is the same as without it....While it has the fold down TV/DVD player I'm wondering if I can mount a 20 - 22" flat screen/monitor to the opposite wall over the small storage space which would make it a nice little theater and great spot to plug the laptop into the screen for a work space. Just sitting at the table I felt comfortable with the space and the bulkhead and door are nice and solid so I'm thinking it will be a good sound barrier.

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

Previous
2008 FW V358
2006 FW V318
2004 FW V288

Congrats Joe! You will lover her!! And if I make it back to Essex this season we can have the first-ever iFW V358 Rendezvous

Which power package does it have - I'm guessing the VP 5.7 i/o's? You got a terrific deal and it's nice to hear how they went the extra mile in giving you a great package. Consider taking some of those savings and having them add on the transom stereo remote (I don't see it in the picture). Don't know if your 318 had one but it's one of those small options that, now that I have one, I would really miss if I didn't.

Also, as you own a large dog, I would strongly encourage you to consider adding the lay-in carpet for down below. I love the teak & holly floors in my salon - it's such a great, warm look, but without the carpet they would get pretty beaten up by my 90 lb lab mix (and they're really slippery). Unfortunately, the carpet ends up staying down most of the time, kind of like a slip-cover, but I do take it up from time to time and the floors have remained pristine. Congrats again!

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Previously:
2008 V358/Volvo 5.7 GXi Inboards

I didn't want to say that before, but I second this recommendation. The carpet gives traction but also deadens sound a bit. I was surprised by how much. I was prepping the boat for commissioning last spring and spent the night on it. This was before bringing the carpets. The next day I brought the carpets and immediately noticed how much quieter the cabin was inside. Now, I don't have the nice wood flooring, just the regular non-skid gelcoat but I'd guess the sound level would be about the same.

If/when I replace the carpet I'm definitely going to get the wood panels for the section in front of the galley. I really like that look and it'd help avoid any leaks from the fridge mucking up the carpet. I don't think I'd do the whole floor, but definitely the galley area.

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-Bill Kearney, 2005 348 Vista

Thanks for the thoughts...I do have the transom remote on the 318 and it is convenient...will ask the dealer.

5.7 I/O's GXI/DP EVC

I definitly have heard the difference with and without the carpet in the 318 (non-skid floor), we were thinking of getting a thick decorative hallway runner and putting it over one of those rubberized non-skid meshes...would offer some protection but still see the flooring. As far as the dog goes, she's a bit quirky...had a system on the 318 where she would go from the second step to the couch, up to the bed...really never touched the floor! Pretty sure she can navigate the 358 the same way...and yes, the dog is absolutely spoiled rotten.

Her Favorite spot!

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

Previous
2008 FW V358
2006 FW V318
2004 FW V288

A runner is a great idea. The carpet does have the cutout to at least expose the flooring by the galley, but it's so large that there is really no place to store it out of the way (other than the mid-cabin) and I end up throwing it in the back of my SUV in the marina's parking lot. But that's mostly when I'm showing off the boat. The carpet stays down most of the time and yes, it definitely dampens the noise allowing me to get the pooch outside without waking anyone to the clickety-clack of his nails. Yes, I did just say 'clickety-clack.' Boating deprivation has long since set in...

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Previously:
2008 V358/Volvo 5.7 GXi Inboards

It's interesting to see where they put the EVC controls on that boat (on the left, by the cupholders). Mine are right in front of the throttles on the 318.

Do you have a bowthruster or autopilot or other electronics up there?

You'll love the EVC. The "neutral beep" feature is a godsend. It takes a while to get used to the controls and what not.

I will say that you will want the dealer to "sync" and align the outdrive trim guages. They aren't quite perfect on my 318 and it makes it interesting when trying to trim out both engines at the same time.

The power-trim-assist on the EVC is pretty slick.

Can't wait to hear about the maiden voyage! She's a 'beaut!

What other options did you get with the boat? She looks practically LOADED!

Did you get the cockpit TV on the arch? If not, I really do recommend it...

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

Interesting that both of you have 5.7s. Both of the 338s I'm going to check out have 6.2s. I think I heard you guys saying the 5.7s were ample with the 358. I read the Boating article which stated the 6.2s did just under 45 mph with the canvas up in the 338..

I assume by "both of you" you were referring to JoeBalt and I. The 5.7's are ample on my V358, but keep in mind, I have inboards and it is not a "fast" boat (although she planes very quickly and smoothly). I typically cruise at 20 - 22 kts and could probably approach 45 mph with a 10 kt current behind me at WOT
Joe's i/o's will certainly give him a faster cruise and higher top-end and 6.2's in a 338 should crank as I believe they are also rated at 320 hp. The 5.7 GXi is rated @ 320hp whereas the 5.7 Gi/DP is 300 hp.

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Previously:
2008 V358/Volvo 5.7 GXi Inboards

I just looked back to the origin of this thread...

jerry540i - you still out there? Have you made any progress with your decision?

Now back to JoeBalt's V358... and Cougar, to answer one question for JoeBalt, autopilot is not offered on the V358 with i/o's (which is a shame because I have never enjoyed it more than on the Long Island Sound where he presumably does most of his boating).

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Previously:
2008 V358/Volvo 5.7 GXi Inboards

Well, its been a good day. We decided to purchase the 2007 Vista 338 from our dealer. It has Merc 6.2 Bravo 3 w/ DTS and Bow Thruster.
Forgive the photos but it was 18 degrees on Saturday when we looked at it.





We opted for this boat based on features and price.
Can't wait for April.

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Jnizi

2007 Vista 338 "Better Yet"
Previously:
2007 Vista 258 " Just Right"
2005 Horizon 230

Wow! Congrats! And they say this economy is bad? I see a lot of people buying new boats....

Now I know why GSC didn't get back to me yesterday....they were selling a BIG one!

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

You should too.

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

Current Boat: 2004 Chaparral 235 ssi cuddy

Hey now...I just got back from making the 1.5hr drive to take pics of my boat in storage....
You know Jnizi has a boat to get rid of since he's got a new one, and its a 258! And don't stop your suggestions btw....help and advice is help and advice!

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