www.iFourWinns.com

Hi all new to the forum and to boating. Quick background we are family of 5, kids are 9, 5, and 3. We currently own a Chris Craft 245 Cuddy which we love. We really enjoy boating and already have the itch for a larger boat, with a full head!! What advice would you have on the next boat? I am sold on Four Winns and also like the Formula 34 PC which we saw at Norwalk show. I am a gadget guy and Axius really excites me and feel that with limited experience would be a huge help with a larger boat. I have read mixed reviews on Axius reliability thus far so would love to hear from current owners? Thanks for any advice you may have for us.

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2000 Chris Craft 245 Cuddy
"Andiamo"

Can't tell you much about Axius as I've never used it, but I can help with your "what advice on the next boat" question. First determine what you want to use the boat for....water sports, day cruises, overnighting on it, entertaining, etc. A cruiser such as a Vista can accomodate most of those needs though your water sports will be somewhat limited as you get to larger cruiser style boats. There are bow riders in the upper 20' range that come with a full enclosed head and can still meet all of your watersport needs, but you lose the overnight capability unless you want to go with a full camper canvas and sleep in the cockpit.

Things we looked for when upgrading to our current boat included a cabin big enough to comfortably sleep four, an enclosed head tall enough to stand in without stooping, a wide beam, big swim platform (you'll appreciate it when you have it - especially when the kids are swimming and the platform completely covers the drives), windlass, generator, twin engine, smooth ride in the Chesapeake chop, foredeck sun pads, lots of cockpit seating, radar arch, full camper canvas with screens, lots of storage inside and out, transom trunk, 12v outlet in the cabin for a TV/DVD player. We spent 4 seasons on a 24' cruiser and that's a partial list of what we came up with when searching for the new boat...a search that went on for nearly 2 years....though I can't say we ever seriously shopped during those two years. Earlier this season we found that boat - a 2001 Four Winns Vista 298 at a price well within our budget. We put the deposit down the day we found it, two weeks later the surveys and sea trial were done, and the boat was ours.

To address the concern on handling the boat....yes, Axius will make it much easier and if you can afford it, it's probably worth it. That being said, people have been handling boats forever without the new joystick systems. I was a little intimated when moving from our 24' with a single to a bigger, wider Vista with twins but I figured it out pretty quickly...I also recruited a friend with a 38' to give me docking lessons and that paid off big time in the confidence dept.

So in the end, make a list of your must haves, your like to haves, set a budget, start shoping (but be patient), and enjoy your new boat!

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'01 Vista 298

Hi Andiamo and welcome
If you're looking at the 34PC then you're probably interested in the comparably sized Four Winns, the V375. I'm ending my third season on my 2008 model (then badged the V358) and remain very pleased with my choice. Details on why many of us chose this Four Winns model over comparably sized models in other brands, along with 46 pages of reading can be found on this thread. Moving from your 245 to a boat in the 34 - 37' range is a great move, if you can do it, and will spare you the 'four foot-itis' many of us experience with an intermediary size.
I have also read a bit around the net that Axius is buggy and may not be ready for prime time. I would do some searching around so you can learn what others are experiencing. We don't have a lot, if any Axius owners here, but it is obviously not boat brand specific.
To be sure, Formula builds a faster boat and, not to in anyway take away the quality of Four Winns, many aspects of Formula's build quality are a notch above many other manufacturers in this class. And that is something you will pay for. I am glad I looked at one in my search, but the scales tipped to Four Winns for a variety of reasons.
Good luck in your search and please fire off whatever questions you may have. We'll be happy to help!

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Previously:
2008 V358/Volvo 5.7 GXi Inboards

Thanks for the replies this is a great forum with so much useful info!! We definitely want to overnight and weekend on the new boat so Vista is definitely the fit. I chose the Chris Craft because it had great features and the potty which was a must with little kids. I also didn't want to start to big. Now that we have it we want a full size head, plus although we all can fit in the berth with 5 of us its pretty tight and kids are growing like weeds!! As much as I would love Axius I am concerned that its not ready for prime time, not to mention I also want to be able to handle twins the old fashion way!! I guess my real question is what size 31 or 34' I really want my next boat to be one for the long haul. There is a nice 06 318 for sale in my area with 200 hours for $85k (on ebay) seems like a great deal as it has all the bells and whistles. I only got 1/4 season on the CC so probably will do one full season and do the upgrade at the end of next year. Boat are definitely addictive!!

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2000 Chris Craft 245 Cuddy
"Andiamo"

The 318 is a terrific boat and would certainly be a good move. As you are learning, everything grows exponentially with the size of a boat, particularly as the beam increases. The common wisdom is to buy the biggest boat you can afford that works with the lifestyle you are seeking. While it is certainly only incremental, the 358 will obviously provide a bit more space for your growing family in addition to a bit more storage which is a premium on any boat.

I would encourage you to try to get aboard all of the boats you can in this class. When you're on the one that will work best for you, you will know. And the fact that you're affording yourself plenty of shopping time it will make the task that much more enjoyable.
Take lots of pictures and notes with every boat you see. You'll quickly refine your list of the 'must-have' features and it will probably evolve greatly from your current wish list.

Also do some surfing on Boat Test dot com. While they and the boating magazines rarely make a negative comment beyond the galley counters needing fiddles (which FW boats have, of course) you will certainly learn a lot about what the various models offer. If you're able to take the nice road trip, try to get to the Annapolis show this month and of course the NY show in January. In my opinion, it is always better to see a boat in the water rather than in a showroom.

Most of all, enjoy the process!

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Previously:
2008 V358/Volvo 5.7 GXi Inboards

The Annapolis show is great! I'm lucky enough to live in the area and we go the show every year. Four Winns is usually nicely represented. Other brands that show up with a nice selection of mid 20' through 40' cruisers include Sea Ray, Rinker, Maxum, Cruisers, Formula, Chaparral, Regal, Doral, and Monterey to name a few. Most of them are grouped in the same general area so it's easy to hop from one make to another when comparing.

And of course there are the dream boats....Viking, Ocean Yachts, Azimut, and many others. It's a great show if you can make it.

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'01 Vista 298

Love Annapolis!!(Go Army Beat Navy) If we were not leaving for Italy I would definitely make the trip. We went to Norwalk show which was lame and no FW boats. Formula absolutely best is show there, right next to Searay, and that had to be bad for them cause Formula had some nice pricing and can't compare the quality!!

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2000 Chris Craft 245 Cuddy
"Andiamo"

Four Winns is a great boat you should also look at Regal JD Power rates them # 1 and they were at the Norwalk Boat Show with a full line-up. The 35 Express loaded with Radar, Heat, Air, Windlass, Central Vac, 2 Flat Screens TV, DVD and JOYSTICK control was 200,000. complete.

Five posts in 3 years, and two of them are about the Norwalk Boat Show and what boats were priced at. Hmmmm.

Posted 9/24/07

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

Current Boat: 2004 Chaparral 235 ssi cuddy

I'm a boat dealer... all I said was Regal is worth a look and if I remember right my coment on the price of the boat with the 8.1 was because the other price listed on the web was high. Don't get on this set much , that's all.

No problem, figured you were affiliated with a dealer. See ya next year.

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

Current Boat: 2004 Chaparral 235 ssi cuddy

Maybe sooner.. The Monterey is a nice boat sold them for awhile, have a nice winter, and have a Captain for me and I'll have a Patron.

I have the Axius system on our boat and I would strongly recommend against it.
It does not respond well, total waste of money and Four Winns is the only maker not allowing the software installation to operate Skyhook.

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Denfor
Oakville, Ontario
Bronte Outer Harbour Marina
2009 V358 (Deb's Den)

Not suprising at all, being that Four Winns was the only builder in the middle of Bankruptcy when the skyhook and corresponding software was released. None of the Axius related technology was ready for introduction when it was released. Typical MO for Mercruiser when they introduce new products/technology. It's always been that way, and I do not see it changing going forward. Your skyhook issues will be resolved, you will just have to wait your turn. Keep your dealer on top of it, that is the best way to get things taken care of.

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

Current Boat: 2004 Chaparral 235 ssi cuddy

My only advice is dont make the same mistakes as many of us have...my situation....started 195 Sundowner to 258 Vista to 318 Vista and now FINAL 378 Vista with Diesels and IPS! Go for the biggest that you can afford (if you are committed) to boating with the family. 3-5 foot'itis will kill you in the long run! We have family of 4 and spend up to 7-8 days in a row on the boat, and found that 318 Vista was getting increasingly difficult to hold all four of us, now that the kids are pre-teen. We are happy with 378Vista, and will go no bigger! That is my advice

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2008 378 Vista
"Not 2 SHABI"
IPS 500 Volvo-Penta D6

Previously
'06 318 Vista
'97 258 Vista
'98 195 Sundowner
'87 180 Horizon