2007 358 w/outdrives

jboutlaw · **Joined:** Mon Jul 14, 2014 10:19 am **Posts:** 11

Hi everyone,

New (possibly) to Four Winns and am actively looking at the 358 model. I found one with outdrives that I have interest in. I am trying to find out performance/reliability etc. with the outdrives as opposed to inboards. Most of the ones I see are inboards. Any feedback would be greatly appreciated. It has Volvo 5.7 and the drives are the Ocean X.

Thanks!!
Jason

Cap'n Morgan · **Posted:** Tue Jul 22, 2014 2:35 pm

You can look up the performance numbers on the Four Winns link below.

http://www.fourwinns.com/upload/Documen ... s_2007.pdf

I don't think many, if any, members own that boat.

LouC · **Posted:** Tue Jul 22, 2014 4:57 pm

As a general trend a boat with outdrives is going to be faster and use less fuel than a boat with straight inboards or v-drives because of the simple reason that an outdrive like an outboard can be trimmed to the optimal angle to the water. However, the outdrive is more complex and maintenance intensive than an inboard system, and most people who buy boats in that size range probably do not want outdrives. At least here they do not. If you are in a freshwater area it may be fine. And if you boat in areas that are shallow the outdrives will give you more flexibility because you can reduce draft easily. I'd do some research and see how reliable the Ocean X drives have been. Their predecessor the OSI was terrible. Volvo screwed a lot of customers with those, and then just dropped them, ruining the resale value of the boats that had them.

Thalasso · **Joined:** Tue Jan 18, 2011 8:45 pm **Posts:** 333

Thought those drives didn't come out until 2011. Are you sure there the OceanX?

ric · **Posted:** Tue Jul 22, 2014 6:06 pm

OSI drives are replaced by OceanX when they go bad, so hopefully that's the case.

OceanX (good)=

XDP = Run away like you've seen the devil or ask for $30k off the price tag so you can replace with OceanX.

jboutlaw · **Joined:** Mon Jul 14, 2014 10:19 am **Posts:** 11

Thanks for the replies. I am familiar with how bad those composites were. They already did the transition to the Ocean X.
My only concern is this seems like the only one in the country for sale with outdrives. Makes me wonder why. All of the others
seem to have v drives. That's why I was asking about performance. Did the boat not do well with outdrives and that's why
most don't have them? Should I skip this boat and find a v drive boat?
Thanks again!!

ric · **Posted:** Wed Jul 23, 2014 10:26 am

jboutlaw wrote:

Thanks for the replies. I am familiar with how bad those composites were. They already did the transition to the Ocean X.
My only concern is this seems like the only one in the country for sale with outdrives. Makes me wonder why. All of the others
seem to have v drives. That's why I was asking about performance. Did the boat not do well with outdrives and that's why
most don't have them? Should I skip this boat and find a v drive boat?
Thanks again!!

Depends where you plan to use the boat and how you use it.

jboutlaw · **Joined:** Mon Jul 14, 2014 10:19 am **Posts:** 11

Will be boating in Northeast US. Mostly Southwest Ct to Nantucket and everywhere inbetween. To clarify...I am familiar with the differeces between the outdrives and inboards. I am just trying to find out about outdrives on this specific model from Four Winns (2007 358). They seem to be rare with outdrives and I'm trying to find out if there is a specific reason for that (on this specific model). Thanks again for the replies!!

LouC · **Posted:** Wed Jul 23, 2014 12:51 pm

I think the reason why it would be rare with outdrives is because most people who buy a 35' boat expect it to have inboards. For that reason the resale might be lower if it had outdrives because people know it will cost more to maintain. If anything the performance should be better with outdrives, both speed and fuel economy. In area you are boating in, that's salt water so it will always be easier to sell a boat that size with inboards. The only time I'd say there is a good reason to have outdrives on a boat that size is if you are in an region with many shallow areas and tidal swings like the South Shore of Long Island. Many of the channels, creeks etc are not easily navigable at low tide unless you can trim up. If you are in deep water all the time and keep the boat in the water all season go with inboards. Much less work in the long run.

ric · **Posted:** Wed Jul 23, 2014 12:59 pm

Sooo many factors to consider.

Will the boat be wet slipped or dry docked?

jsimon · **Posted:** Wed Jul 23, 2014 1:15 pm

jboutlaw wrote:

Will be boating in Northeast US. Mostly Southwest Ct to Nantucket and everywhere inbetween. To clarify...I am familiar with the differeces between the outdrives and inboards. I am just trying to find out about outdrives on this specific model from Four Winns (2007 358). They seem to be rare with outdrives and I'm trying to find out if there is a specific reason for that (on this specific model). Thanks again for the replies!!

If you look at the specs that Captn linked to, you can see there is 50 miles or so of range per tank of fuel with outdrives than V drives. Also about 5mph better top end, which will translate into better cruise speed.

When we purchased our 380, one of the two must haves were outdrives, I prefer them for the reasons stated (better fuel economy and shallow anchorages). The hull we have has available, outdrives, V drive or pod drives. I was considering pod drives due to its the latest technology, but with mainatinace costs and increased draft, I opted out.

Having said all that, I know absolutly nothing about the Ocean X drives. If you reasearch them out to be reliable, I would much rather have that over V drives anyday. I certainaly dont want to debate Louc over the complexiaty issue, but V drive transmissions dont look to simple to me, you still have to change oil as you do in outdrives. You also have shaft maintainace (seals) to worry about.

With a dry weight of 20,000#, I had a slight concern about being underpowered or not handling very well (I was assured by Cruisers otherwise) and I can tell you I am very please with the power, and handling of our boat, definatly the right decision for us.

Hope that helps, good luck with your decision.

LouC · **Posted:** Wed Jul 23, 2014 3:46 pm

The issue is that with an outdrive on a boat slipped in salt water, all the expensive stuff is IN the water vis V drives which are in the boat. Much less worries about corrosion and water intrusion in the gear box. Also you can have a leaky driveshaft bellows which of course let's water into the boat and corrodes the gimble bearing and u joints.
The only drawback to inboards besides speed and economy is shallow water clearance and sometimes access to the gearboxes and shaft packings.

I can tell you that here on the North Shore of LI no one in there right mind would knowingly get a 35' boat with outdrives. Southern Conn is basically the same region salt water to brackish.
As one of the owners of a local marina says... The only thing worse than a boat with an outdrive; is a boat with TWO outdrives....

This year I have to remember to take a pic of what my drive looks like after being in salt water for 6 months even after being properly painted with anti fouling. These paints just do not work well in salt over time...

ric · **Posted:** Wed Jul 23, 2014 4:01 pm

Now, if you lived on the great lakes that would be an awesome boat!!

I would never own a salt water boat with outdrives unless it lived on a lift.

Graham R · **Posted:** Wed Jul 23, 2014 5:06 pm

Hmmmmmmmmmmmm.

I owned 2 outdrive (DPS) boats from 2001 to 2013;; no issues with corrosion ( some issue with things unrelated to saltwater, or even water at all though). I wish I still had my 2004 Sundowner
.
My current Vista with the DPH drive/ D4 engine, well I have put on less than 1 hour in the last 4 months, it's nothing to do with the drive or engine but with the EVC system ! Excellent when it works, awful and very expensive when it goes wrong). Plus some dodgy wiring and no schematics available .It looks like a factory build issue from when they were laying off people in 2009 ( a factory memo from HR in the paperwork !).

ric · **Posted:** Wed Jul 23, 2014 5:45 pm

Pods would be sickkkkkkk

www.iFourWinns.com

2007 358 w/outdrives

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