www.iFourWinns.com

First post - apologies if there is a similar thread to this one.

I've basically decided that between quality and space, the F214/F224 is the ideal boat for my family. However, I can't seem to find them for sale anywhere around me (Austin, TX). I'm open to traveling, but trying to avoid FL saltwater boats.

So what I'm asking is if you couldn't have a Four Winns for whatever reason, what would be the next best thing? I'm open to slightly lesser/greater hull quality and overall finish out. Just looking for similar layout (no head would be ideal), nice swim platforms, I/O, good bimini tops, option for tower. Not too concerned with any mods I could do myself (lighting, stereo, etc.)

We're a family of 4 and will primarily be on inland lakes doing some skiing/towing, but mostly anchored and fishing/swimming. Budget is probably $25K, but I'm open to $30K if a particular model yr/redesign puts me in that area.

Thanks!

I live in Florida, nobody in their right mind would ever take a deck boat in salt water (ocean). It would sink going through the waves.

Four Winns are not as popular in the south as the north. I'm looking to buy a 2003-2006 Sundowner 205 by fall, and yeah I've come to the conclusion that it will have to be shipped here.

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1981 Columbia 8.7
2015 Yamaha FZR - 87mph - sold
2006 Yamaha GP1300R - sold
2003 Chaparral 215 SSI - sold
2009 Stingray 195CS - sold
2000 Four Winns H180 - sold
1976 O'day Daysailer II - sold
Rick's Four Winns H180 Mods/Upgrade Thread

Just a few possibilities.

Hurricanne SD217
Sea Ray 210SD or 220SD
Glastron 215DS
Tahoe 215FD
Starcraft 220 SCX Crossover
I have always liked the Crownline 220 EX

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

Current Boat: 2004 Chaparral 235 ssi cuddy

I take my Funship in the ocean all the time in California....Haven't sunk yet!

I don't take it out when it is like Victory at Sea, but I don't think most open-bow boats go out in that stuff either...

To the original question: Chaparral makes a nice deck boat (Sunesta, I think).

_________________
2002 Funship 214
VP 5.7 GX Si
2003 Tahoe

That being said, I forgot about areas like Tampa, Miami, and Jacksonville where they have a bunch of protected coves. You will find sterndrives that have lived a life of salt in those areas. Central Florida boats (Orlando, Ocala, Gainesville, etc) are all fresh water boats as we have some very large and popular lakes to boat on.

Example of non-salt water florida funships:
http://orlando.craigslist.org/boa/2928880149.html
Leesburg. http://g.co/maps/gj4xy

http://orlando.craigslist.org/boa/2911338874.html
deland

http://orlando.craigslist.org/bod/2830764674.html
mt dora

_________________
1981 Columbia 8.7
2015 Yamaha FZR - 87mph - sold
2006 Yamaha GP1300R - sold
2003 Chaparral 215 SSI - sold
2009 Stingray 195CS - sold
2000 Four Winns H180 - sold
1976 O'day Daysailer II - sold
Rick's Four Winns H180 Mods/Upgrade Thread

Thanks everyone. I just realized I need to be a bit better in my search terms. I was just searching 'F224' and realize some folks just say '224' or just 'funship' or just 'four winns deckboat'

Found a sweet 2007 in San Antonio gonna check it out.

BTW, this '07 has the rear transom seat. Was this added in '07 or was always an option? This is something I really want but noticed most of the 224s just have a storage area.

Thanks again for the additional models, etc.

It wasn't an option in 2003. I asked the dealer about it when I saw the rear facing bench on a newer model and apparently I would have had to replace the entire engine cover assembly to retrofit one.
I like the concept, but not that much...

_________________
2002 Funship 214
VP 5.7 GX Si
2003 Tahoe

LOL Victory at Sea, or THE Perfect Storm... Mine is strictly ocean and I love the looks from people when they see her coming along since these boats are not common in South Florida for that very reason they don't like the waves but you keep her in the bay and you are fine.

Gotta agree...we have a funship (see sig) and do saltwater about 30% of the time. We do a lot of ICW and have made many trips to the Keys, Tampa, and out off Crystal River. The older Funships, like mine, sit very low in the bow so we have to be very mindful of the forecast and the weather. Any open-bow sportboat is totally out of it's element in real open water.

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'99 234 Candia Funship, 5.7Gsi SX