www.iFourWinns.com

Well, I finally figured out my password tonight so I can post instead of just reading threads. Anyway, my brother and I just bought a 2005 Sea Ray 320 Sundancer that needs some work but it will be a fun project for the winter. We went through the boat yesterday and started working on it and it makes me appreciate what the Four Winns 358 has to offer. Other than the huge engine compartment, I think the boat's finish doesn't come close to Four Winns. I just don't get why Sea Ray boats have such good resale compared to other brands. Granted, their boats look good but they just don't do it for me like my 358.

Nice! Where's the pics? What are the projects?

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

Congrats. I've seen pluses and minuses to both brands, for the 268/260, the 268 was WAY better than the 260 in our eyes.

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

The 320DA is a fine boat - one of my best friends who I cruise with regularly has an '06 so I have spent quite a bit of time on it and can certainly get some first-hand answers should you need any (if you don't want to go looking for them on CSR). Of course, when he spends time on my boat, he is always struck by how much significantly bigger it feels and how much nicer the interior is finished on the V358. And I've never been able to get past the fact that it doesn't have a walk-through windshield or full, standard camper top (the fastback makes me nuts).

What is the engine setup? I/O's or V-drives (my friend has the inboards).

Looking forward to hearing the punch-list and seeing some pictures - congrats!

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Previously:
2008 V358/Volvo 5.7 GXi Inboards

The Sea Rays are built pretty well. After around '07 they started using 'prettier' finishes in places like the head, whereas FW had been doing it for a while already. But if you look at how things like the wiring are laid out and secured you'll see some pretty decent quality. But they do tend to have exceptionally cramped engine compartments. You should see a 340 with the 8.1 engines, oy, it's a real stretch to get to anything in there. I think the joke is you have to stand on your head to replace stuff. SR has been building a quality boat for a good while, that 'track record' corresponds to resale value. Now, whether that justifies the retail prices they gouge is another matter. Boats in the 28' and up size have gotten priced way ahead of reality.

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-Bill Kearney, 2005 348 Vista

This one went partially under the water, basically to the top of the engines so we will have plenty of engine and electrical work to do. I am expecting the engines to be good because they were pickeled immediately after it was pulled and were only in the water for a few hours. Besides that, who knows what we will find with the other motors for the trim tabs, hatch, generator etc?

You wouldn't believe how much space this 320 has in the engine compartment. I will have to take some pics. I could almost fit a single mattress down there. This boat has stern drives which frees up a bunch of space but even with v drives it has much more than my 358. The generator is so easy to get to the impeller on the 320.

It has Bravo III stern drives, one of which is about to fall off. That is what caused the boat to sink. The owner claimed it would do just over 45mph. That seems pretty fast to me.

He bought a boat that sank? Oh that'll be an adventure. Unless he's going to rip out the entire electrical system he'll never be free of gremlins.

Brand new from the factory, on a cool morning across flat water with nothing extra aboard that sounds about the right top end for it.

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-Bill Kearney, 2005 348 Vista

so did it incur a catastrophic(quality related) failure or
did he run aground / hit something? gl with the project! I agree with Sierra, wth is with their canvas!?

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V475
Chris Craft Catalina 23 w/ 300 G2
Previously-V338, 248 Vista, H210

I still don't know the answer to this. I see no obvious signs of hitting something. We will be on it tomorrow so I can get a much better look.