www.iFourWinns.com

Still waiting to hear the final numbers on this potential 298 purchase, but in the meantime my research continues....

Anyway, I was flipping through the owners manual and noticed that the cockpit fridge looks to be 12V only. Is that correct? If so, does anybody actually use the cockpit fridge? Seems like it would just be a drain on the battery.

Second question - in looking through Volvo Penta manual is stated that cruising speed should be 300-500 RPM below WOT. With WOT being in the 4800+ range, that means Volvo is saying to cruise with the engines turning well in excess of 4000 RPM. That seems really high to me. I would think somewhere between 3200 - 3800 would be more realistic depending on conditions. Does anybody really cruise for a sustained period of time at 4000+ RPM?

Thanks and with any luck I'll know in another 24 hours whether or not I'll be joining the Four Winns family. My trade evaluation went well so things are moving in the right direction. Wish us luck.

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'01 Vista 298

I've heard 75-80% of WOT as cruising...3500-3600 would be correct.

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

Hey Winedown. My Vista 298 doesn't have the cockpit fridge. If my memory serves me, the breaker panel has an "ice maker" 110v AC breaker and a "cockpit fridge" 12v DC breaker. I would assume if there was a fridge in the cockpit it would run on AC if available and DC otherwise (just like the cabin fridge).

I have 5.0GXIs and cruise at around 3500rpm which gets me around 26 to 28 knots depending on the seas. WOT is more like 4500rpm and 36 knots on flat calm. I've run for about an hour every now and then at 4000rpm "just because".

If you have any more questions just let me know man. I've had my 298 for 4 years and LOVE it! Great choice on models.

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2002 Vista 298
Video of boating from The Florida Keys, to Miami, to Bimini/Bahamas

Any of your 12V sources (fridge, lights, fresh water pump etc) will effectively be running on shore power when you are plugged in and your battery charger is on.

Good luck!

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Previously:
2008 V358/Volvo 5.7 GXi Inboards

True, though I was thinking more of when we're away from the dock. Especially if we're spending the night on the hook. Not sure I want to run the generator through the night but if we have stuff in the fridge I want it to stay cool. Don't want the kids drinking warm milk in the morning Or worse, having the beer get warm.

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'01 Vista 298

Well, we can't have beer getting warm
Obviously, while you're running the boat, a 12V fridge will not be draining the battery. When on the hook, you should have sufficient battery reserve to keep it going for quite a while without killing your batteries assuming you're not drawing a lot from other sources. A lot of people will run their generator for a while before calling it a night to get a charge on the batteries and many will also power down the fridge at the end of the night. Unless it is particularly hot, the fridge should hold its temp well enough through the night if it is not opened, though your mileage may vary.
I am not a huge fan of running a genny overnight because of CO2 concerns, though people obviously do all the time. Be SURE your CO2 detectors are in working order - they can be very temperamental. In addition to the two I have hardwired, I also have a battery powered home detector in the salon and a handheld unit with an alarm and readout. You would be surprised to see some of the readings I get depending on a variety of conditions, even with my genny off (from rafted-up boats running theirs).

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Previously:
2008 V358/Volvo 5.7 GXi Inboards

as stated above, the fridge should hold temp for quite a while (overnight) I always recomend having a thermometer in your fridge so you can keep an eye on the temp. keep your more perishable items such as the milk closer to the back even when it is hooked to shore power or the engines are running, your temps are colder back there and the small fridge doesnt recover as quickly as a larger home refrigerator when the door is opened. another option for perishables is to keep a small cooler on board with ice. Also, carry your milk in small individual or single serving sizes because their temp will recover more quickly then a larger 1/2 gallon of milk.

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1999 298 Vista [color=#FF0000]Sold!!!
twin Volvo 5.7GXI

Woody: Pour you a beer, Mr. Peterson?
Norm: Alright, but stop me at one...make that one-thirty

Excellent tips. Thank you.

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'01 Vista 298

We keep our milk in Thermos's. They fit a lot better and are able to keep it colder.

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

Milk in a Boat? I am full blooded Irish and I say shame on the bunch of you!

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2003 268 Four Winns Vista
F-350 King Ranch Diesel (Tow)
1990 Four Winns Fredom 180

Um, might that be an oxymoron? Shouldn't your blood be diluted?

Tom

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Tom
Cape Coral

'99 Four Winns 258 Vista
http://www.ustream.tv/channel/bowcam
http://www.ustream.tv/channel/cape-coral-marine-radio VHF
http://67.207.143.181/vlf9.m3u VLF: Lightning, spherics