www.iFourWinns.com

Well, the Admiral has spoken (well I finally garnered support) and we are buying a new boat. Unfortunately we are leaving the cruiser family and entering the dual console world.

I wish FW had something compatible to what we are looking for, but the don't. We've narrowed our choices to Grady White, Robalo, Scout, and Key West.

Anyway, I'd like to stay with the forum just to keep up with what is going on.

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-Tony
2016 Robalo R200 w/Yahama 200!

Previous boats:
2003 Four Winns 248 Vista - sold
1994 Sunbird Corsair 200 - sold
1980 Checkmate Predictor - sold

Those are all great boats! More so the Grady White & Robalo.

By all means, stay with us here at iFourWinns.

I think the Key West 225 DC would be a great choice. A friend of mine had the smaller 18'6" version with a 115 Yamaha on it. Was a great boat, but would have been much better with the 150hp. It wasn't too long before he outgrew it. He moved up to a 23' center console (of a different brand), but now is wishing he had moved up to a Key West 225 DC instead.

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"Knot Easy" 2000 Horizon 240 Volvo 5.7GS /SX
tow: 2017 Honda PILOT EXL-AWD
prev. boats:
'87 Chaparral 198CXL 4.3 OMC Cobra
'69 Jetstar 16ft Ski Boat, 115hp Yamaha
'68 Aluminum Jon Boat, 3hp Sears
'64 Water Wings

My next door neighbor has a KW 2020 DC with a Yamaha 150 4 stroke on it. The boat's an 05 and looks new still and its been moored in salt water just like mine. Very nice boat, much easier maintenance and better performance as well. If you're in a coastal region it's an easy decision to go this way. Nice fun boat easily trailerable.
I see this boat as being a lot safer then they typical I/O bow riders in the same size range because:
Full foam filled level flotation like a Boston Whaler
Self bailing hull
OB power which I feel is safer for a few significant reasons....

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88 Four Winns 200 Horizon
4.3 OMC Cobra-4bbl
2002 Walker Bay 10/2012 Suzuki 2.5
2008 Walker Bay 8

1998 Jeep Grand Cherokee 4.0/Selectrac
2007 Jeep Grand Cherokee 5.7 Hemi/Quadradrive II

Leaning heavily towards the Robalo with the KW coming in a close second. Not sure I can convince the Admiral to drop Grady White money, even though it's my first choice. Definitely going with an OB since we're staying in salt water.

I have a few offers on my 248, wish me luck and I'll let you guys know what we buy.

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-Tony
2016 Robalo R200 w/Yahama 200!

Previous boats:
2003 Four Winns 248 Vista - sold
1994 Sunbird Corsair 200 - sold
1980 Checkmate Predictor - sold

What power are you thinking of....
Yammie 4 stroke....Evinrude E tec....Merc 4 stroke or Optimax 2 stroke......other Japanese 4 stroke....

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88 Four Winns 200 Horizon
4.3 OMC Cobra-4bbl
2002 Walker Bay 10/2012 Suzuki 2.5
2008 Walker Bay 8

1998 Jeep Grand Cherokee 4.0/Selectrac
2007 Jeep Grand Cherokee 5.7 Hemi/Quadradrive II

Leaning towards either a Yamaha 4 stroke or an Evinrude E-TEC.

_________________
-Tony
2016 Robalo R200 w/Yahama 200!

Previous boats:
2003 Four Winns 248 Vista - sold
1994 Sunbird Corsair 200 - sold
1980 Checkmate Predictor - sold

Aha...the essential debate....many will say go Yam for resale, but there is something to be said for the 2 stroke in its latest highly evolved version. Either one will perform great and not need much attention for a pretty long time.

_________________
88 Four Winns 200 Horizon
4.3 OMC Cobra-4bbl
2002 Walker Bay 10/2012 Suzuki 2.5
2008 Walker Bay 8

1998 Jeep Grand Cherokee 4.0/Selectrac
2007 Jeep Grand Cherokee 5.7 Hemi/Quadradrive II

We're leaning the same way, we keep our Sundowner in a lake 40 minutes from home but really we live about 5 minutes in either direction from salt water access. I grew up a laker, and recently we've talked about moving away from the cuddy into a bow rider. That discussion morphed into us thinking an OB Dual Console or Center console would be much more practical. Since a DC is pretty much a salt water bowrider we'd get more use out of it since we could launch pretty much any weekend instead of making the trek to the lake with our 18 month old. We REALLY like the Robalo boats. People around here rave about them and they're definitely priced right. Key Wests seem nice too. We're eying either the R227 dual console or R222 center console for our next vessel. Good luck!

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1996 205 Sundowner
"Comin' in Hot!"

Regarding the Center Console vs the Dual Console:

Center consoles are optimal for ocean fishing, in particular for "bottom fishing" where you are anchored or drifting near a reef and use weighted rigs to get to the bottom. The reason is that you can walk around the perimeter of the boat as needed while you are reeling in a catch. Also, the bow of a center console is often higher for larger waves (not always true, because the same hull might be available in both configurations). The center console can give a higher driving position to see over the bow. The sparse seating and open floor area is better for fishing and rinsing out fish blood afterward.

Dual consoles are more family/passenger friendly, with generally more comfortable seating. They can be just as ocean capable, but for me, this is only true if the boat is large enough to be driven while standing up. The Key West 185DC handled seas well, but was too low to drive while standing, as I think most 18-20 ft DCs may be too low. That is a deal breaker for me. I must be able to drive the boat comfortable from a standing position as I can in my H240.

I see a lot of people in coastal Florida that buy center consoles, that really would have been better served by a dual console. They spend way more time cruising and at the sandbars than they ever do fishing.

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"Knot Easy" 2000 Horizon 240 Volvo 5.7GS /SX
tow: 2017 Honda PILOT EXL-AWD
prev. boats:
'87 Chaparral 198CXL 4.3 OMC Cobra
'69 Jetstar 16ft Ski Boat, 115hp Yamaha
'68 Aluminum Jon Boat, 3hp Sears
'64 Water Wings

E-Tec great engine! So easy to work on...

Taz,
You probably can't wait for 2-3 months, but Wellcraft (made at the Four Winns plant) will be introducing
9 new models for 2016. All new hull design will include CC and DC models of 22,24 an 26 ft. These new CC and DC models
are planned for the winter boat show season debut. Might be worth a look.

If your wallet is burning a whole in your pocket, Robalo is an excellent choice. The R247 DC is my fav. Several options
for customizing the boat, for fishing, cruising and watersports. Depending on what you like. The R247 also has some standard features
that most builders only include as options.Such as:
• Bow filler cushion

• Cockpit table

• Coolers in both the aft deck and the forward casting platform

• Full-wrap bolsters on the coamings

• Freshwater shower at transom

• Stainless steel rub rail insert

• Lenco trim tabs

• Full sound system

The fold away seat at the stern is a must have IMO.

Enjoy whatever you decide on.

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

Current Boat: 2004 Chaparral 235 ssi cuddy

+1 for the Robalo. My family had one on the ocean a bunch of years ago and that thing was fantastic in the chop as well as for utility. We had the 2120 with a 200hp Merc on the back and handled anything Nantucket Sound would throw at us (within reason of course). Also worked well for watersports and cookouts on the beach. Good luck!!

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Jon

2001 268 Vista w/arch
2017 GMC 1500 Denali

We are going to wait for spring to buy our next boat. We visited the Robalo dealership yesterday and to my surprise, the Admiral jumped on a CC (sitting right next to the DC). A CC is my first choice but was leaning towards a DC for her sake.

She said because we fish so much, we should really consider a CC! You could have knocked me over with a feather.

I'll keep everyone updated as the search continues, and thanks for the update on the new Wellcrafts coming out in the spring Cap'n.

_________________
-Tony
2016 Robalo R200 w/Yahama 200!

Previous boats:
2003 Four Winns 248 Vista - sold
1994 Sunbird Corsair 200 - sold
1980 Checkmate Predictor - sold

She has arrived! Just in time for stripers!

_________________
-Tony
2016 Robalo R200 w/Yahama 200!

Previous boats:
2003 Four Winns 248 Vista - sold
1994 Sunbird Corsair 200 - sold
1980 Checkmate Predictor - sold