www.iFourWinns.com

I realize this a Four Winns forum. I like my 248 and would like to go back with a larger Four Winns, but they don't offer what I am looking for. I am looking to do something in the next 2-3 years.

I'd like to get your input if you have experience or first hand knowledge.

I want:

- Sedan / Sport / Fly bridge
- Dual engine. I am partial to diesel, but will consider gas.
- 30 - 42 foot.
- Could live aboard for weeks at a time with the wife (roomy and plush, thus item #1)
- Once negotiations are complete, I'd like to spend < 250k.
- A/C, genny ... loaded. No nav required.

I have looked at the 35' and 39' Meridian and the 40' Regal Cruiser. I like the Meridian, but don't know much about them other than what I have read. Some first hand experience would be nice. They were *giving* them away at the boat show this year.

To get what I want for the price, I am likely targeting a gently used lady. Anyone have any good / horror stories about the different brands and configurations?

Thanks,
Craig C.

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2003 Vista 248, VP 5.0 GXi-C, DP

Well, allow me to chime in. As has been well-documented on this site, I loved my Four Winns V358. It was a purchase I researched with great care and I am pleased to say, if I was looking for the same sized express cruiser today I would likely do it again. I mention this as I had a similar experience in arriving at my decision this time around and look forward to the same level of satisfaction.

I probably started paying attention to "what might be next" after my first of three seasons with the V358 as I knew a move was inevitable, whether in three years, five years or more (I had no timetable) so I did quite a bit of looking around in that time. I had never paid attention to Meridian Yachts before they introduced the 441 Sedan, but after being drawn to its lines and layout, I started to familiarize myself with the brand. By my signature below, you know the outcome. In the price range, there was a lot to choose from. The truth is, I never thought I'd be buying a new boat at this level. For less money I could have purchased a lightly used Sea Ray 47 Sedan Bridge or any number of other "higher-end" production brands. But at least for now, three months into ownership with just over 500 nautical miles under my belt, I couldn't be more pleased.

As I said, the experience of researching and buying a Meridian, for me, was very much like that when I bought the Four Winns. A lot of boaters had an opinion of the brand not based in reality. So many of my boating friends were skeptical when I moved from a Formula and two Sea Rays into a Four Winns. They were all very surprised and impressed with what they saw and experienced when they got on board my V358 for the first time. I am sure many of you had had the same experience. But while I did my due diligence on the brand to separate fact from fiction, at the end of the day, Four Winns won because I was pleased with the mechanicals and the apparent quality of the build, I preferred the layout to anything in its class and, without question, I know I got the most bang for the buck well beyond any of the competition. That's exactly how I feel with my new boat. Yes, if you go right from a Cruisers Yachts or Sea Ray to a Meridian you will notice some finer finishes on those boats (I'm speaking relatively here - the Meridian's finishes are very nice) and maybe the salon TV is bigger. But you will also notice how much better the use of space is on the Meridian, and this is true in all of their models. And this is what drew me to the brand. When I was at Sea Ray/Meridian's Yacht Expo in December, a lot of Sea Ray owner-enthusiasts boarded Meridians for the first time and could not believe how nice they were, well beyond their expectations - and these were people who were quick to admit their "brand-snobbery." In fact, something like 70% of Meridian owners come from Sea Rays.

One thing I was not prepared to give up in the move from an express cruiser to a sedan was the spaciousness of the cockpit that I enjoyed on my V358. This is where Meridian also soars. The bridges are huge. If that's important to you, go from a Sea Ray 44DB to the Meridian 391 and you'll never get back on the Sea Ray again. On my new boat, the 'Sky Lounge' as I've come to call it, is an entire living space unto itself. Combined with the superior interior space among other positives, it became very difficult for me to consider anything else once I was satisfied with the construction, mechanicals and sea-keeping ability of the Meridian. I quizzed some experienced owners quite a bit and realized, for how I boat, this was the right move for me.

I boarded a 341 for the first time at the boat show in January. It is a lot of boat for the size and dollar and definitely worth considering. However, I would encourage you to find a 391 with diesels as the added space will be appreciated as you settle into the boat. From the conversations I have had, 341 and 391 owners are universally thrilled with their boats. And it seems most owners of larger Meridians some from the smaller models (read: people who have now paid upwards of $700K on their new boats were that satisfied with the brand).

All of this is a long-winded way of saying, yes - definitely consider Meridian. And if anyone suggests a Meridian built in the last several years is a re-badged Bayliner (it was once true and you still hear that all the time), they do not know what they are talking about. Please feel free to hit me with any specific questions.

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Previously:
2008 V358/Volvo 5.7 GXi Inboards

The Meridan 391 is far nicer then the Searay.I saw the Meridan at a boat show and across from it was a SeaRay (same size). The meridan was about $80,000 cheaper. The sales manager at my local Searay dealer told me they are still made by Brunswick Marine. They used to be known as Bayliner. The company changed the name because people wouldn't by them when they saw the name (Bayliner).Don't know how true but this came from the SeaRay dealer.I really liked the way you accesed the engine room.