www.iFourWinns.com

...now on boattest.com here.

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Previously:
2008 V358/Volvo 5.7 GXi Inboards

Sierra, what do you think? When I got boat test today I really didn't hear anything new. The writer still seemed to like it with a few exceptions. When I was on it I found the cockpit and helm laid out very well, the master and guest staterooms were nice the main salon need a little work to make it more of a conversation area.

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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

I'm with you Dave - it was good to see a bit more in that article but I'm still waiting for the full test. Somebody out there has got to own one of these - I would love to hear a real world evaluation. I have not seen one in person yet and probably wont until FW flies me somewhere for a sea trial. I am a huge fan of the hard top/sun roof/walk-through setup (from the pix and descriptions). If I'm going to have a hard top I'd want one like the V408's - or the Jeanneau 42s (love to hear people's thoughts on that boat). I also think the helm looks great on the V408 - it's one of the things FW does exceptionally well on its cruisers in terms of what I look for. Realistically, I don't know if the V408 will feel like a big enough jump for me when I move up if I stay with a cruiser.
Do you have any shots from the one you boarded?

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Previously:
2008 V358/Volvo 5.7 GXi Inboards

I was talking to the owner of One Stop Boat Shop who took over the FW line last year from Family fun center here in Stafford Va. He said he just ordered a 408 that was initially ordered by a german man and it fell through for the german gent due to financing. I got dibs on splashing the boat and first ride! He's looking at late June and hopes to have it down here for the big Aquapalooza party in July. I was talking about the forum and how it would be sweet to do a FW raft up. He said that he could likely get a Chesapeake FW raft up organized and FW would foot half of the bill.. hotel rooms etc.. I bet they'd pay most (if not all) of your travel expenses. I think we should make this happen, there's several sweet FW cruisers here on the Potomac. I can pursue this further with Brian if I see we have interest. BTW, it's coming loaded with pwc davits and hydraulic ESP!! Can't wait!

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V475
Chris Craft Catalina 23 w/ 300 G2
Previously-V338, 248 Vista, H210

Believe it or not, I think I beat you to it Brendan! I think that may be the boat I sat in at the factory.

Of course... I promised no pictures. They really want to keep things hush hush.

The admiral gave me the go ahead to buy a 408... Now, if we just had the 500-600k to afford it.

Best 43' sport coupe on the market for the bang for your buck... no doubt about it.

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

Nice! Yea, you guys can count on Tons of photo's the day it shows up here! Brian (who mainly deals Chapparals and Monterays was saying the 40ish foot chap brings 480K and doesn't have the washer/dryer, hydraulic ESP, the sliding hardtop etc.. I'm curious to see how much bigger it feels..

I'd be interested in a Chesapeake raftup, but I can't imagine Four Winns footing the bill for anything like hotel rooms. I couldn't even get a FW hat when I bought the boat. As for Aquapalooza, that's a Sea Ray sponsored event so Four Winns probably doesn't want to get involved with all the issues that entails (limitations on who can put up banners, offer demos, etc.) Groups from my marina and Pilot House next door have already made plans for this year. I think it takes more than a common manufacturer of the boat for a succesful raft-up, unless it was sponsored by the factory. Having said that, though, I would be interested in meeting other FW boaters on the Potomac as it seems that besides Better Luck and myself, I haven't seen too many others.

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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

Must have been a recent policy change at the factory. When my marina neighbor took the tour last summer, there was no problem taking and sharing pictures of the plant. They did not allow pictures of any new, yet to be introduced, models. Simply, if they let you take a picture of something, then it is okay to share them. They watch you close enough to make sure you do not take unapproved photo's. Very strange they told you specifically not to show or say any details.

CC, maybe you can just give us an aisle by aisle walk thru of the factory and include some of your impressions of the 408. Like how was the knee room when seated at the helm? Was the headroom in the cabin consistent throughout? How solid were the grill and table storage aft?
How was the clearance above and to each side when going thru the windshield walk thru?
Stuff like that would be interesting to hear.

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

Current Boat: 2004 Chaparral 235 ssi cuddy

I agree but he was pretty confident that if we do put something together that FW will buck up. That being said it won't coincide with aquapalooza; we could make it for whenever. Myself and another 338 as well as a 318 at hope springs with me. I'm sure they'd be interested. Maybe we could get Bill to make it with his 348. It would be sweet to have your 378 and BL's 358 there... we'd only be missing the 458! Let's work on setting a date!

I suspect that given the economic situation and their desire to keep new product development under wraps - they asked me nicely to not post my pictures on the forum. They do know how active I am on here - and I do want to respect their wishes.


I had some time to filter through some of the pics and I am going to shrink them down and send them over to see if they will let me post them. I couldn't imagine that what I am thinking of will divulge any significant secrets!

As for the 408, the one I sat in was still in assembly. They had none of the vinyl in yet. Still rough carpentry in the cabin.

What I can tell you is that the boat fits like a glove. it is VERY spacious, but feels super comfortable with the layout. I don't think there will be big issue with knee room at the helm. Clearance on the gunnels will still be tight, but more than my 318 has for sure.

The woodwork and finish carpentry is fantastic on those boats.

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

Just found more "real" shots (that I don't think we've posted yet) of a V408 at this link. Click on "Yacht Images" once on the linked page. I'm thinking this may be the boat near SW Florida Dave (you owed us pix, Dave!).

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Previously:
2008 V358/Volvo 5.7 GXi Inboards

Just to add a few more thoughts...

Even things like the stern bbq... why some companies put the bbq in the cockpit under cover -- where does the bbq smoke go? Mucks up your cockpit is where!

There's a TON of storage in the 408... great swim platform -- anyone who does not get the hydraulic platform ought to be SHOT.

IPS 600s make it go fast!

The windshield walkthrough is a great design. I didn't get to see the top on the boat I sat in - but that design is going to be reflective in other boats in the lineup in the next few years.

Got to see what's in store in the next couple years on the new boats... pretty incremental in terms of design - but moving towards more luxurious appointments.

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

Sierra - do you know if that's the actual boat for sale?

I believe 'hull #1' is that color combo and Four Winns NEVER sells hull #1. It's the hull they do alot of their trials and testing with.

They only have 4-5 hulls built at this point (and I know at least 3 of them were still at the factory when I was there)

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

The boat doesn't show up on Intermarine's site under 'New Inventory' so perhaps it's not for sale.

So maybe we're tracking all of the 408's they've built... There's the one in Florida, three at the factory and of course the original one we posted which is still listed in Missouri.

Wow. We really are all obsessed

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Previously:
2008 V358/Volvo 5.7 GXi Inboards

I think I know which boat the one Sierra linked to is. But to not add to the posturing and speculation that has been generated so far, I will not say.

It does look familiar though.

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

Current Boat: 2004 Chaparral 235 ssi cuddy