www.iFourWinns.com

Great topic Marc. We seem to be in simular situations in our jumps from 20ftish to the 260. I really like the 260 and I'm glad I have it, but now I wonder if I should have bought a cruiser. We used the boat a lot ealier in the season, but got really busy for most of August. I am looking forward to some fall cruising and a vacation with the boat at the end of September.

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2001 Horizon 260 - 7.4 Volvo GSI DP

Double secret probation...

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Mike
2005 Four Winns 230/240
VP 5.7GXi/DP
1998 F-150 XLT
Boat Pic

I must say no regrets so far. This is the first boat for both myself and my wife and it suits us perfectly for the manner in which we use it. As long as we continue to enjoy boating I expect that some day we may want to get into something bigger, but for now this boat suits us to a T. It just seemed a bit ironic to me that after wanting a boat for so many years and finally being able to get the boat I dreamed of that gas prices would go off the charts. But as others have mentioned once your out there in the water, in your heavenly place, the price of gas is the last thing on your mind. Can't wait for this weekend. We're on our way to Texoma with some friends.

David

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2008 H210SS VP 5.7 Gi/SX
2011 Ford F150 FX4 EB

This has been my first season as a FW owner and my decision to make the move from SR is well documented elsewhere on this board. I can happily report that I have absolutely no regrets in my decision to move up in size and zero regrets about the change of brands. In fact, the V358 has given me the most enjoyable season of boating I've ever had in my life. How's that for no regrets?! Among my adventures, a two-week, five-hundred mile trip where at no time did I ever think, "I can't wait to get off this boat."

Having a bigger boat is obviously more work but for me, the trade-off has been well worth it. If anything, I miss the ease and freedom that my Sundeck afforded for quick day trips. Check the engine, fire her up, untie and take off. Now, the ritual of leaving the dock can take quite a while by the time everything is reviewed and disconnected, but I enjoy the process. Luckily, I just happened into a PWC a few weeks ago that is satisfying my occasional desire for simplicity and need for speed.

And as a brand, I was very happy with Sea Ray and I am no less satisfied with Four Winns. And I have found the 'bang for your buck' value to be far superior with FW. I only hope they have the right boat in the lineup should (when) I get the itis itch. I'm counting on that not happening for a while (insert "yeah, right" here).

Happy Labor Day Weekend everyone!

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Previously:
2008 V358/Volvo 5.7 GXi Inboards

Oh yeah .... they have it .......

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Gordon Arnold
New Hampshire

2003 268 Vista ..................................................................Prior: 97 245 Sundowner

M3, you should have let me know that was you taking the picture, I would have invited you in for tea and scumpets.

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H210SS 6.2
F150 Platinum

I regret not putting my foot down about taking a week vacation somewhere with the boat.

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2005 Horizon 210, 5.7L Volvo

I am with Sierra no regrets. I do sometimes miss what I had a few boats ago which is being able to go out (or should I say get back in my slip in any weather). I do however love the size and layout of the boat. We tend to use ours as a floating condo.

I bought back a PWC that I owned before a few years ago and we use that at times. That helps on those wild lake days.

No regrets. I love the boat.

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2001 Sundowner 235

Thanks for all your responses, they give lots of insight into others lifestyles and opinions. I guess the general consensus is that we don't regret getting into boating! However, I think alot of us are still trying to figure out exactly where our families are going to fit into the boating community for the long term. Unfortunately, It is an expensive proposition to just change venues so some deep thought and discussions will be required by all parties involved. I guess that means I will have to "talk" to my wife !!!?

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Marc, Kathlin & Nathalie


'89 Chaparral Laser 32

'93 Vista 245, 5.8L w/ King Cobra

Former Boats
'01 H260, 7.4 VP Duoprop
'98 H200, 5.0 GL w/VP SX drive

I went from a 19 ft boat that I owned for 13 years to an H240. Man what a difference. We love the size, the ride quality in rough water, the hole shot with the 5.7 Volvo duo-prop, and just the better feel of our new boat.
Only thing I wish I had was the Perfect Pass speed control. I am considering an addition but even there it may be better now. I have seen a GPS version of Perfect Pass that is supposed to be much better than the old paddle wheel version. Maybe next year!

I did not grow up with boating. Boating and a cat came as a package deal with my marriage... Regret? ... Sure ….. We do not have enough time to do all hobbies…. Having a water front summerhouse and new boat really put halt in other hobbies this summer.

As far as my current boat H260 goes, I have absolutely no regret. I do not feel too much difference in maneuverability from previous Horizon 240 but little more space and stability. I have no interest to moving up to cruiser so this large bowrider is a perfect fit for our life style. I am also glad that I got an 8.1 DP since we are always taking our friends with us for boating and we love every minute of it when we are on water… I would not wary about fuel cost… I have no issue with spending money for the things I love… we only live once….. I became a good friend with local marina (gas slip) owner and now have no problem with running a Tab. .......

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08 H260 VP 8.1Gi DP.....Previous
2013 Crownline E6 Merc 8.2MAG BIIIX, DTS/SC

I regret not selling my old boat before purchasing another one. Hey, I was single at the time and who would have thought it would have been so hard to sell a 4 year old boat with 790 hours on it? Live and learn.

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Current Boat: 2000 Four Winns 298 Vista
Previous Boat: 2000 Carver 406MY

No regrets at all. We enjoyed our 358 very much and plan on holding her for quite some time. I regret not having the extra $$ needed to add some electronics that would better integrate my engine stats to the Ray Marine GPS unit we have.

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2008 Four Winns V358 (T 6.2L Merc Bravo III's with DTS and SeaCore)
2006 Sea Ray 340DA
2006 Sea Ray 320DA
2005 Maxum 3100 SE

Not a regret but if I could change anything it'd be the design of the swim platform. I'd much prefer it was a smidge closer to the water line. I'm really tempted to put on a after market one like another poster on here did. We spend a great deal of our time back there and on the 210 it's just a tad too high for my 2 yr old.

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2005 Horizon 210, 5.7L Volvo

No regrets here the thing that sucks is I bought the boat new in May and used it all summer. Now I'm getting deployed in March and will not be able to use it this summer, and trust no one to watch it for me when i'm gone.

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2008 H200SS
4.3 merc
2008 Chevy 2500