www.iFourWinns.com

Well...good morning from the Vista! It was an interesting night. The kids slept fine...my wife and I tossed and turned. Still have some getting used to with the noise from the heater and such. Still a great night!

We arent moving to our lake simply because I negotiated some free slip usage to offset the cost of me still being a two boat owner.

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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

As an ex-two boat owner myself, that makes total sense to me. As for the noise from the heater (and AC), if you are on a party dock where your neighbors stay up until 2 or 3 in the morning, you will come to appreciate the constant hum of the fan.

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

Who is where on the boat for sleeping? My wife refuses to sleep in the mid-berth (to cave like for her) so we take the V-berth and the kids get the mid-berth. Personally I think it should be the other way around as the mid-berth is a normal bed shape and easier for two adults to fit, but gotta keep the admiral happy.

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'01 Vista 298

We take the mid-berth and make the little one sleep in the V-Berth. The mid berth in the 268 at least is a queen size, so easy to get sheets and 4" thick memory foam for it!

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

+1 on that!!

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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)

Congrats! Very jealous! Someday we hope to move up to a cruiser. Very happy for you and the family--what a great Christmas present!

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Norris Lake, Stardust Marina, Andersonville, TN
2005 Four Winns 230 Horizon 5.7L Volvo Gi/DP
2001 Maxum 1900SR 5.0L V8 (Sold)
2011 Nissan Armada Platnum

We have 3 kids (2 girls - 13 and 6, and 1 boy that is 11). My wife and I slept in the V-berth. I am only 5'9" and she is shorter than I am, so we did ok. The biggest issue is that we need to add some sort of foam padding to the mattress to make it a little more comfortable. The girls slept in the rear birth. My son wasnt with us this weekend, but his spot will be the table converted to a bed.

Yesterday after hanging out on the dock and meeting a few folks in the morning, we desperately needed to take her to the gas dock....she was on fumes at best! Being a trailer boater, this was my first time at the gas dock. Overall, we did pretty good there...no issues. The dockhands were helpful and got us tied up and pushed off just fine. After that, we took her out on the water for 30-40 minutes to start getting aquainted with how she handles. I still have some learning to do with how the trim tabs work, thats for sure.

It went south when we got back to the slip though...without seeing the way the slip is configured with the dock pilings, its hard to understand...but I managed to bump into the ONLY non-padded part of the dock and put a little scrape in the port side hull. Live and learn I guess. It made me upset, but I suppose it wont be the last time it happens either. We will be taking something to pad this part of the dock the next time we are up there.

So, we are moved in (forgot a couple small things) and ready to really enjoy the boat and the marina. We have some very nice dockmates and were welcomed with open arms (and bloody mary's) on Sunday morning!

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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

Won't be the last time. What size slip is she in right now?

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2001 328 Vista

Previous Boats:
2004 Sea Ray 220 Select

I believe its in a 50 x 14

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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

That's a HUGE slip for that boat. Nice.

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

Current Boat: 2004 Chaparral 235 ssi cuddy

Yeah, it has a large buildout that is lower than the main slip on the rear and even has a lower deck on each side...IF I was staying on this lake...its a NICE slip to be in.

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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

You didn't take any pics?

Glad you were able to stay aboard your new boat. It is something I regret we didn't get to do... It would have been nice to remember over the long winter.
Eventhough it's a drive, would you consider leaving the boat where it is? How does the facilities rate compared to where you are putting her? I know you work some Saturdays but that doesn't mean the wife and kids couldn't go up Friday night (if there is sufficient activities available to entertain them) The bonus is you get the house to yourself for a night

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Marc, Kathlin & Nathalie


'89 Chaparral Laser 32

'93 Vista 245, 5.8L w/ King Cobra

Former Boats
'01 H260, 7.4 VP Duoprop
'98 H200, 5.0 GL w/VP SX drive

Despite the drive....its something hanging on the back of my mind, but still not likely. Its a decent marina, however, the one I am considering moving to is VERY modern and very nice. A lot of the desire to keep it closer to home is really to get use during the week. Having a marina 5 minutes from the house makes it very easy to take a mid week cruise.

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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

Congrats!! I do miss the marina life. You will have a blast this summer. Don't let that evil voice tell you to keep that boat up there, you need it on Lewisville. Party Cove after dark is well worth the money!

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I know what you're talking about with the firm mattress(foam) Four winns uses. We ordered this topper from overstock, and the difference is unbelievable! It makes for a perfect combination with the foam being firm and the topper being so plush. We liked it so much that we tried it on our pillow top at home after the boat was in storage, but it actually made it too soft and we both ended up with aching backs.
http://www.overstock.com/Home-Garden/Serta-Deluxe-2-inch-Memory-Foam-Mattress-Topper/1080221/product.html
Also speaking from first hand experience it is so nice living close to your marina. We live about 10-15 min from ours and I'll go straight from work to meet my wife for dinner and a sunset cruise at least 2-3 times during the week! Also being able to go to your boat after a bad day at work and crack a cold beer is priceless!

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Our Boating Blog: http://ben-dana.blogspot.com/

2005 268 Vista "Sea Pickle II"
1979 AMF Alcort Puffer
Previous:
2003 FW190 Horizon
1973 Startcraft 18ft "Sea Pickle"