www.iFourWinns.com

Got it. Take lots 'o pictures and keep us up to date!

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Previously:
2008 V358/Volvo 5.7 GXi Inboards

I use an Igloo Maxcold 36 in our 348. It fits between the two table legs when underway. The rest of the time it makes a relatively decent extra seat when set over by the port side. I also have one of their 40qt roller models (it has it's own telescoping handle). That doesn't fit as well in the cockpit area but does fit nicely in the step area in the mid-cabin. The Maxcold series really does seem to work better than others. Definitely better than the all white "marine" line.

I also have a collapsible tube cooler. I typically use it for keeping a couple spare bags of ice, and leave it out on the swim platform. I tie a single line to from the transom grab handle. But with the combination of it's weight when loaded with ice and the smooth ride I've never had it move around.

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-Bill Kearney, 2005 348 Vista

Hi Joe:

I think we've seen some pictures of your V318. Did you get a Genset? Was it necessary for boating on Sound? That's where we'll be also.

Also, is there a place to see all your pictures??

Thanks Joe.

Cody519

Cody,
I don't have any pictures at a specific post at this time...We do not have a genset on the 318 and really never felt like we absolutely needed one. Comes standard on the 358 and I'm sure it is a nice convenience to have...we're at a Brewer yard and get to use other Brewer yards up to six nights free with their gold card so we really never spend the night on the hook and are usually hooked up to power.

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Joe B.
Ruff'N It 4
2011 Regal 42 SC

Previous
2008 FW V358
2006 FW V318
2004 FW V288

It seems that I am one of the few owners of a 338. We love the boat. The problems we have had have been minor and all taken care of by FourWinns or Volvo.

Any specific questions ?

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07 Tiara Sovran 4300
07 338 Vista - SOLD

We do have the genset and we actually "needed it" today.

For what? We were on the water and wanted coffee! Gotta have a genset for the coffee maker! ha ha ha.

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

Coffee... and blender drinks. Oh and the occasional use of the microwave for dinner. Other than that we've really not had much use for our genset. I think we've only run it for AC once and that was for a really hot and humid evening when we were anchored out. Truth be told if we had an inverter I don't know that we'd use the genset at all. But then the drain from those appliances off an inverter would probably require more batteries.

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-Bill Kearney, 2005 348 Vista

Having a cruiser without a Genset would be like having a Corvette with a four cylinder engine.

Sure, if you never leave the docks and that's the social life you enjoy then perhaps you can pocket the 10 grand. I personally don't ever want to be stuck to a marina and when I am out on the hook in the middle of no where I want my AC/Heat, Hot Water, Microwave etc... That's why I take my EU2000i, because I'm not a big boat captain and I didn't even have the luxury of a Genset... Sure wish I did!

The next boat will have one..

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Brett DiMichele

It's not a matter of never leaving the docks. We anchor out overnight regularly. We just haven't had much need for the one time you MUST have a genset, and that's when running the air conditioning. Most of our other uses for AC power could be met by having an inverter and decent battery capacity, which many boats do not have from the factory. We had to add two more batteries to the house circuit. That's all but eliminated any issues we had with running out of 12vdc power.

For resale purposes it'd probably be a good idea to have a built-in genset. I don't think I'd ever buy a boat without a genset. I'd definitely never order one without air conditioning.

There have been plenty of times we've taken the boat out for a long weekend. Friday and Sunday night get spent at our marina where we do use the shore power. When we're anchored out Saturday night it's usually "cool enough" to avoid putting up with the noise from the genset. Yes, they're quiet, but nothing's as peaceful as NO noise when out in a quiet anchorage. We're the type that's willing to put up with a little sweat when it means gaining the peace and quiet. Thus far anyway.

Anyway, enough beating a dead horse, a genset is a great option to get if you're rolling it into the purchase of the boat.

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-Bill Kearney, 2005 348 Vista

Yep.

I've also been looking at the 338. I just seems right. The extra weight/price of the 358 has me shying away, and I want something a bit bigger than what the 318 offers.

Why did you choose the 338 over the 318/358?

We went to the NY Boat show and saw the 338 right next to the 318. My wife and I compared the 2 boats and really thought about how we were going to be using the boat. We wanted it to be our 2nd home at the shore. The extra room in the cabin was a big feature. The bed in the 338 is centered and not on an angle. The 07 338 had electronic controls with a built in engine synch and the 318 did not. The 338 had a larger TV in the cabin. The bathroom had a real shower as opposed to the sink/shower. The extra room just made sense for us and the extra money was not that big of a deal. We looked at slips and there was no real price difference for the extra feet. The wife wanted a bigger boat. It is all about keeping the wife happy. We both enjoy the boat and the lifestyle it has given us. The extra room has made all the difference. In 2007, in CT, we spent over 70 nights on the boat. This past year in Florida we probably only spent 10-15 nights on the boat, with moving and job changes. We spent the weekend after XMAS in the Keys and we have planned another long weekend at the end of the month cruising down the Keys. Family will be coming down to visit next week and the highlight of everyones trip will either be a cruise on the intercoastal or just a lunch on the stern watching the boats go by. I know this for a fact because the family has begged me for boat time. My 82yr old father wants to know go for a boat ride. He is afraid to fly and is taking the train down, but can't wait to be out on the ocean and cruise over a few waves.
If you can swing it, get the bigger boat. You will never regret it.

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07 Tiara Sovran 4300
07 338 Vista - SOLD

Wanted to update on my previous comments about buying a leftover 2008 V358...went and pulled the trigger last weekend, will complete the bank work next week...very nice boat, when all was said and done ended up about a net 38% off the retail. My dealer is helping with the financing, and doing a bunch of small things gratis (installing my dingy davits, installing the transom rail system, new Nav chip, full tanks, name and hailing port on transom, etc)...he'll work with the Marina to grab our 318 and we should launch the new boat my the second week in April....let's see if these pictures will post.

JB

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Joe B.
Ruff'N It 4
2011 Regal 42 SC

Previous
2008 FW V358
2006 FW V318
2004 FW V288

Congrats on the new boat!

Looks nice with that flooring in the cabin and the black counters. Interesting how that one has the mid-cabin stateroom door not the forward one. We've got the opposite in our 348. Check that the fuel tanks are actually full on delivery, that's a good $600+ worth at today's prices!

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-Bill Kearney, 2005 348 Vista

Prior to this boat being available, we had seen the enclosed mid-cabin and spec'd it in on the 2009 we priced...thought is felt a little more "open" than the other way around...has the TV option also, so allows the Admiral and I to have different entertainment options as well as a little privacy.

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Joe B.
Ruff'N It 4
2011 Regal 42 SC

Previous
2008 FW V358
2006 FW V318
2004 FW V288

Wow ... that's a beautiful cabin, especially the head & its door !

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Gordon Arnold
New Hampshire

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