Condition
This boat is in Superb condition. Gel coat shines like new top to bottom. Interior is Immaculate. No disappointments here. Good luck finding a nicer one in ANY Year!
Michigan-based Four Winns is the flagship sportscruiser brand of Genmar Holdings, the American multinational marine giant with a dozen different marques from bass boats to motoryachts.
Building about 9000 boats a year, the Four Winns boats range from 18 to 41ft and, mostly come fully-cocked at factory level leaving little by way of options. All up, there are 26 models of which the Vista sportscruiser range spans eight boats from a 248 to a 378.
Besides building ever-larger boats, the big thing for Four Winns is its signature styling. The boats have distinctive lines derived from a good dose of reverse sheer in the bow, which aids visibility, and a rakish or swooping sheerline aft. There are various hull colours and waterline stripe options too. The 348 is a pretty boat. Setting foot aboard, it became apparent to me that it offers a boatload of comforts for entertaining and heading away with at least a family of four. The seating and sleeping plan is generous and, importantly, there's good deck space for kicking back.
On the construction front, the running surface, with 19 degrees of deep-vee aft, is fashioned from solid fibreglass but the sides and deck are balsa-cored composite. All up, there are 16 layers and a lifetime limited warranty on structural components of the hull and deck.
Computer-aided design is responsible for the ergonomics, but Four Winns adds polish by way of premium vinyl, moulded toe rails, intermediate wires on the bowrail, plush clip-out carpet, generator and air-con, even a coffee machine... although an aftermarket cappuccino maker would be better.
The 230 gallons of fuel supply will cater for long weekends away from the marina, as will the 51 gallons of water, providing you're smart about showering and flushing the Vacuflush toilet. The 30 gallon holding tank is quite accommodating in this respect and should see you through three days with a family aboard.
The over sized boarding platform, which has two handy recessed wet lockers for togs, a super-deep reach four-step swim ladder with rubber tread steps, and an aft boot with fender storage, plus the usual American shorepower and dockside connections. There is also a hot/cold handheld shower. The owner had a rubber ducky and outboard motor stowed aboard, but it would be easier to carry it on the transom on some aftermarket snap davits.
A port-side door leads into the cockpit. Also a standard-issue generator, Cockpit steps lead to the side decks and around to the foredeck, but the safest route is via the molded steps in the dash and a big grab rail leading through the walk through windscreen.
The rakish windscreen with twin wipers adds to the styling.
Cockpit seating is on a U-shaped lounge to starboard that is big enough for six or seven to do lunch around the molded cockpit table.
The seating is shaded by the extended canopy attached to the GRP targa arch that, unlike some sports cruisers, has a vertical drop on the camper covers. This way you can still use the seating with the covers up.
To port, the amenities centre has a sink, but with cold water only, an icemaker (in lieu of fridge), storage locker, and garbage bin, 12V/240V and aerial outlets and stainless steel drink holders.
The carpet underfoot is thick and rubber-backed with a small step defining the cockpit and bridge deck which has a lounge to port for three people that can double as a chaise lounge. There is a good amount of storage under all the seats.
Below, through the cabin door with insect screen, is accommodation for four - plus one on the convertible saloon lounge - at either end of the boat.
The bow is taken up by a large offset double bed. It's a truly luxurious cabin for a 30-something sports cruiser, considering that big bed, the head room, his and hers cedar-lined hanging lockers, storage lockers, air-con, TV, and more.
The timber shutters, reading lights, light cherrywood joinery and natural hues of the man-made suede lounge upholstery and bedspreads created a timeless finish. Four Winns is proud of its cabinetry, and rightly so.
The lift-out carpet will assist post liveaboard cleanups, while all the hatches and opening ports are designed to maximize natural ventilation and have fly and insect screens. Then there is the reverse-cycle air-con.
The aft cabin is different. It's open, without a bulkhead, and has a second dinette in the center of some U-shaped seating. It can be used as an aft lounge and separate dining area for the kids when living aboard. The aft lounge converts to a double bed with privacy from a curtain.
The saloon features a portside lounge upholstered in man made suede that can seat five people before the main solid cherrywood dinette, with folding leafs, which converts to an impromptu berth.
The Corian counters, which don't have fiddle rails, and top joinery, with oodles of storage including in a pullout spice rack, are features of the galley across the way. Amenities range from a two-burner stove to small microwave oven, and a decent 12V/240V fridge for stowing long term provisions.
The head has at least 1.8m of head room, a big mirror, Corian counter, a stainless steel sink with mixer, and mock tiled flooring. A bi-fold door separates the combo Vacuflush head/shower area from the vanity and drying space. It's a pretty decent shower by my reckoning. There is a holding tank gauge in the head and a water gauge at the AC/DC panel outside.
Navigational Equipment
- Compass
- Depth Instrument
- Plotter (Raymarine)
- Radar (Raymarine)
- Sound System
- Spotlight
- Television
- Windshield Wipers
- Cockpit Tables
- GPS
Mechanical
- Passenger Capacity (12)
- Radar Arch/mast
- Steering (Hydraulic)
- Tab Indicator
- Trim Tabs
Electrical Systems
- AC Electric Panel
- Accessory Switches
- Circuit Breaker Panel
- Cockpit Lighting
- Gauges
- Horn
- LED Lighting
- Night Lighting
- Shore Power (110v. AC
- Shore Power Cords
- Speakers
- Stereo
- Battery (2)
- Battery Switch
- Electric Engine Hatch
- Generator
Accommodations
- A/C
- Berth
- Cabin Lighting
- Cabinets
- Cabins
- Carpet
- Countertops
- Drink Holders
- Flat Screen TV
- Fridge
- Galley
- Handbasin
- Head
- Heat
- Microwave
- Pressurized Water
- Shower
- Sink
- Stove
- Table
- Vanity
- Water Pressurized
- Dinette
- Icemaker
- Pull Out Sofa
Construction
- Bottom Paint
- Radar Arch
Deck Gear
- Anchor
- Beverage Holders
- Camper Canvas W/screens
- Cockpit Table
- Courtesy Lights
- Eisenglass
- Fender Holders
- Fenders
- Glove Box
- Lines
- Rub Rails
- Storage
- Swim Ladder
- Swim Platform
- Thru-bolted SS Cleats
- Transom Door
- Transom Seating
- Windshield
- Wrap Around Eisenglass
- Cockpit Wet Bar
- Windlass
Safety Equipment
- Bilge Pump
- Bright Cockpit Lighting
- Dock Lines
- Fenders
- Fire Extinguisher
- Grab Rail
- Life Jackets
- Searchlight
Email
Facebook
On LinkedIn
To Pinterest
Your Followers