www.iFourWinns.com

Today was our first day out on our new boat. It may be a 2003, but it's new to us. The weather was perfect on the Great South Bay, Long Island, NY.

My wife was astonished that I managed to dock safely to gas up. After about two hours of mostly slow cruising, I managed to not only find our marina, but I also managed to back the boat into our slip without property damage or physical injury. There was quite a large audience at the marina since they were having a party while enjoying the holiday weekend and perfect weather.

I can only thank God that I managed to pull my 8 foot beam between the 9 foot poles without touching anything -- a true miracle. I'm thinking I should quit while I'm ahead and sell the boat!

Kevin

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2003 Sundowner S205, 5.0 GL/DP 220hp
Long Island, New York
My Boat: http://www.edcr.us/boat/

Thats awesome! Perfect day to enjoy a cruise. Lucky you...I am at work today.

Good luck in the slip. Having basically 6 inches on each side without a single rub is pretty good...especially in reverse!

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

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

Thanks, but I won't count on it ever again. Pure beginner's luck.

I'm lucky to have today off from work. I hope you get out on the water soon.

Kevin

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2003 Sundowner S205, 5.0 GL/DP 220hp
Long Island, New York
My Boat: http://www.edcr.us/boat/

Sounds like you had a great day and that is always important on the first day out. Can be nerving! I hope you have many more good days!!!!

Ben

Thanks, Ben. I hope so, too! I'm really glad my wife and daughter enjoyed it. I was afraid my wife would say "Oh, no, this is not for me."

Happy boating!

Kevin

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2003 Sundowner S205, 5.0 GL/DP 220hp
Long Island, New York
My Boat: http://www.edcr.us/boat/

Exactly what I was thinking the first time too!!!

My wife is the four-star hotel, room service type. I once asked her if she wanted to go camping. Her reply? "When tents have room service."

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2003 Sundowner S205, 5.0 GL/DP 220hp
Long Island, New York
My Boat: http://www.edcr.us/boat/

Mine is just the opposite. She's a country girl but she likes my toys!

Remind your wife she could be riding in your first boat.

Trust me, my wife would NEVER ride in my first boat. In fact, she wouldn't step foot in it.

But I have to say that I had great fun in that junky little boat. I beached it without hesitation, could dock it under any circumstances, and for some reason -- either bravery or stupidity -- I would take it anywhere, including out through the Rockaway inlet and into the ocean. Okay, I admit it, it was stupidity.

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2003 Sundowner S205, 5.0 GL/DP 220hp
Long Island, New York
My Boat: http://www.edcr.us/boat/

I completely understand. I did the same thing in my first boat. I had no worries with it as long as it ran. lol It was sort of care free fun!! I never noticed a new scratch.

Oh, dont worry...I got my share of water time this weekend too. We went out for a few hours for an evening cruise on Friday night and spent most of Sunday out. It was a great weekend, and I even ran into another member of here out there (leftlane) on his sexy SL262...love that thing!

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

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

I'm glad you had some fun this weekend. I spent Friday installing a new GPS, replacing the transom shower, and doing some cleaning. I spent Saturday babysitting a man doing a backsplash in our recently renovated kitchen, and two guys polyurethaning our newly sanded and stained floor and stairs. Even though our oak railings were being scraped and sanded today, I had no intention of staying home. They were at our house when we left, and they were still there when we returned.

I hope we'll both be out there again next weekend.

Kevin

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2003 Sundowner S205, 5.0 GL/DP 220hp
Long Island, New York
My Boat: http://www.edcr.us/boat/

Congratulations on a smooth first run with your new boat after a few times out with the same crew it'll be second nature for everyone knowing what to do. I get a lot of good help with my bunch, probably cause I need it.

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Mike
Smithville, MO
08' Hayabusa, 2011 Subaru Outback, 03' Infiniti G-35 S.C.

Hi, Mike. Eventually my wife will get the hang of it. I'm trying to teach her what to do with the boat hook. Believe me, I need the help -- it's been about 32 years since my last boat and this one is 8 feet longer and a lot heavier!

Happy boating!

Kevin

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2003 Sundowner S205, 5.0 GL/DP 220hp
Long Island, New York
My Boat: http://www.edcr.us/boat/

Kevin,
Congrats on the first cruise, reading your post it sounded like our weekend with our new to us 03 328 vista. I too got her to the fuel dock and it looked like i'd been doing it for years!!! Slipping her was another issue, A lot of wind! Got her in though, just have to be patient.
Hope you have many happy days on the water! If your wife is a four star hotel type, you should start to lay the ground work for a cruiser!!

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Michael Bova


"Swept Aweigh"
2003 Four Winns 328 Vista

Previous Boat
2003 Crownline 230CCR