www.iFourWinns.com

I was wondering what experiences did some of you have staying on your cuddy cabin. This is my first boat and we went with the sundowner because of the larger rear space unlike the vistas. I am putting in shore power, battery charges and we should be all set ,maybe a tv coffee maker and a fan. Just wanted to hear from other people likes and dislikes on staying a couple of nights on their sundowner.We plan on going alot of different places this year torch lake ,south haven .traverscity mi.

We haven't spent a weekend on board yet, but do quite a bit of overnights. We plan on doing a LOT more this year than we did last year (our first year with the boat). Its not as comfortable and homelike as a Vista would be, but definatly dooable.

On our 225 we just have the factory options. No shorepower or AC. A Vista does sound nice....

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

We've spent some 3 and 4 day weekends on ours. We have shore power, camper canvas, and a drop-in A/C. It's like camping. We plan on moving up to RV'ing as soon as the economy picks up.

_________________
2006 300 Sundancer
2007 Trailblazer LT V8
2004 Grand Prix GTP Comp G (For Sale)
Previous Boats:
2006 255 Sundowner 5.7GXI-G
2000 CrownLine 202BR
1994 Baja 180 Islander
1980 Galaxy 18' BR

We bought our 205 last year, and ended up spending three nights aboard - I'm 6' 3", and my wife is 5' 10", an while we were snug, it was comfortable (of course the dog also took up her share of space...). We did find the lack of storage a challenge - not many places to stow stuff away, but we managed.

We're planning a 7-8 day trip this year, so we'll see how it goes. I realize now how much we need a second battery - I was always stressed about using the on-board lights at night!!

_________________

2005 Sundowner
2008 Highlander V6

When we had our 225 Sundowner, we stayed darn near every weekend on the boat. We decided to get a Vista however because the wife got sick of moving the bed to use the head.

_________________


"Where Da Go"
2002 248 Vista
Lafayette, IN
http://blueoceanlife.worldventures.biz

Moving up to RV'ing, as in selling the boat to do so?!? Get a bigger boat!

Anyone care to share some storage tips on how to make overnighting on a Sundowner more enjoyable?

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

Yep, selling the boat and moving up into a little larger Vista. Maybe next year.

_________________
2006 300 Sundancer
2007 Trailblazer LT V8
2004 Grand Prix GTP Comp G (For Sale)
Previous Boats:
2006 255 Sundowner 5.7GXI-G
2000 CrownLine 202BR
1994 Baja 180 Islander
1980 Galaxy 18' BR

Spent two week...yes two weeks on our 205 cruising the North Channel. Still the best trip we have taken as a married couple. It ha no power, no AC, nothing. It was a blast.

Wow WD! Care to elaborate how you stored everything on the boat?

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

fire...it was also the first summer we were married . We had two coolers strapped to the swim platform. One for drinks and one for food. We pretty much ate out every night because we spent every night at a marina. We did that so we could have a bathroom and a shower in the morning. Breakfast was cereal and lunch was sandwiches and chips. I mean we were not worried about having any guests on the boat, so we pretty much used a lot of cockpit space for stuff. Suitcases, extra clothing because it got really cold at night even in July. One night it got down to 30 . But we had a adapter that plugged into the shorepower station. Then plugs into an extension cord and we had a small heater we used to keep the interior of the boat warm. It looked hillbilly...but it worked great.

We went to the grocery store every 3 or 4 days to get rations for lunch and stuff. Bought a bag or two if ice for each cooler every morning and we were set.

We did not go out and move ports everyday. In fact, I think we visited 5 or 6 places in the 14 days. So there was a lot of time spent exploring the towns and surrounding area.

I am glad we did the trip before kids. We would need a much larger boat to do that with them. One day...we will return to the North Channel. Of course taking a swim on July 10th in 44 degree water was a bit of an awakening .

Let me know if you have any other questions.

I showed my wife this thread, and she agrees with your wife!

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

We have a 245 cuddy, our first boat. Last 2 year spent 4 or 5 weekends on it. 2 adults and 2 young kids. Kids are now getting bigger and we need a bigger boat.

Sounds great thanks for all the responses. We are really looking forward to this summer,just me ,my wife and my seven year old. We can't wait until the warm weather gets here. Picking up the boat on Fri. putting the new stereo in it Fri. night ,in the lake for a test drive Saturday morning.

We had a 235 Sundowner for years. Spent at least 30 nights per summer on it. Went to Mackinaw Island, Traverse City area. It was jsut fine. But the Vista is better.....

_________________
2000 268 Vista
Flying Dutchman
"Howl with me boys"

I am just going to say a couple things about this:

I am so jealous. It would be so much fun to spend the night, or a few on the boat. My boat has no cuddy, but I still dream of a night or two on the boat. Its kind of funny though. We live on a small lake, so although there are a couple restaurants, its nothing that you cant get across in 30 minutes absolute tops. Its only 30K acreas of water surface. It would be something my son and I would do just for fun. You guys that live in the Great Lakes and such have so many options. It just sounds like a total blast of a time.

_________________
Current Boat:
2004 Sea Ray 320 Sundancer "Nauti Luvin'"

Previous Boats:
1999 298 Vista "Seas The Day"
2008 H200SS "Nauti Luv"
2006 Tahoe Q4