www.iFourWinns.com

A few Boat builders have set up factory showrooms for dealers and potential buyers to look at all the new boat models at one time, under one roof. Cruisers just opened their showroom last week in Wisconsin, Regal opened theirs last year in Florida, and Formula opened theirs earlier this year. Now Four Winns is doing something similar.


This is a bit different than a factory showroom, but it's a start and a step in the right direction. I just wish it was at my local dealer.

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One of 4 Previous (Sold) Boats:
2000 Four Winns 268 Vista

Current Boat: 2004 Chaparral 235 ssi cuddy

Interesting approach!! Capn we know all to well what Michigan winters are like, makes it hard to test drive something in january around here..

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Jeff

'14 Cruisers 380 Express "Simon Sez"
Merc 8.2 Mag MPI 380
DTS B3X, (x2) Axius Premier


(SOLD)
'08 V318
Merc 350 Mag MPI 300
DTS Seacore, B3 (x2)

I am surpried that all the boat manufacturers didn't decide on one location to have their showrooms in order to cut down on travel expenses for potential purchasers. If the dealers are not going to have new models on hand, then what are they going to display at the boat shows?

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

So true about the winter test drive, but it's not much warmer in Oconto Wisconsin in January either. Aside from test drives, these showrooms offer buyers a one stop shop to see all the new models from one builder. Since no dealers will be ordering boats like they have in the past, you will have to rely on the internet, product brochures and boat shows to see the new models. When making a $500K purchase on a large Sport Cruiser, most buyers like to actually see what they are buying , before they lay down the $'s. And unless you go to one of the bigger boat shows like Fort Lauderdale, Miami, New York, you will may never be able to actually lay your hands on a new V305, for instance.

The days of seeing a full line from one builder at your local dealer are gone. These "showrooms" offer that luxury.

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One of 4 Previous (Sold) Boats:
2000 Four Winns 268 Vista

Current Boat: 2004 Chaparral 235 ssi cuddy

This is good news for Four Winns... as Cap'n said it's a step in the right direction. As a dealer that sells big FW I would like to say that we are not affraid to stock the bigger boats (we normally carry everything except the two 40 footers). It gives us a great chance to get a customer hands on feel of the bigger boats. The banks are really what is causing your dealers to not stock the full lines anymore.. Floor planning is all done by basically one company and the banks want $$ after 9 months of the boat being on your property. So stocking a 435 means that after 9 months the bank want $50,000 that month and $25,000 every month after... not including the interest payments... and that's all for just one boat!!

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Bryan Mutter

http://www.twincitymarine.com
http://www.facebook.com/twincitymarineinc
http://www.youtube.com/user/twincitymarine
http://www.twitter.com/twincitymarine

Ouch!

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Gordon Arnold
New Hampshire

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

Local Dealer... whats that?

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2008 FW F204 - 5.0 VP "Stand On It"
Former Boat: Larson 186 LXI - 4.3 VP

Pretty hard to justify buying a new boat that will be worth half of the money in just a few years.

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2003 268 Four Winns Vista
F-350 King Ranch Diesel (Tow)
1990 Four Winns Fredom 180

Dude, this a FW site, not a Bayliner, or Sea Ray..........

It is true that all item we all purchase depreciate, but sometimes its worth it! We all must do what is financially smart for each of us.

I would love to fly to florida, test drive my next boat, then order exactly what I would want and have it shipped from the factory to me.
Someday it will happen.

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2000 248 5.7L DP
'92, '94 SXI 750, '08 STX 15F, '12 Ultra LX 300
Videos

I bought my F224 from Legendary Marine in Gulf Shores AL in 2010. Just brought it in for annual maintenance and found out they are no longer a FW dealer as of about 6 months ago. They said my speedo gauge is bad and they are unable to order another.

Old thread....Chances are that its a Faria gauge. You can search on the threads here for info on sending the gauge back to Faria for repair/replacement. Their customer service is very good.

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2002 Funship 214
VP 5.7 GX Si
2003 Tahoe

Probably not a good sign that your "premiere destination dealer" isn't even a FW dealer anymore

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2008 FW F204 - 5.0 VP "Stand On It"
Former Boat: Larson 186 LXI - 4.3 VP