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Satisfied
that Four Winns’ new flagship fulfilled the express part of her
mission, my attention turned to her cruiser attributes. Wisely, in my
opinion, the interior has no midcabin stateroom but instead offers a completely
open saloon, galley, and dinette layout with two large convertible settees.
Handsome veneers of pickled ash highlight the galley and companionway,
while two solid cherry cocktail tables accent the saloon. Many of the
other interior surfaces are finished in wood-grained Formica. While this
material is functional and easy to maintain, it regrettably lacks the
richness of the wood veneer and other surface treatments.
Topside,
there are seating choices aplenty, including a large U-shape settee that
encircles most of the aft deck, opposite a beverage center to port that
features a built-in U-Line ice maker, Iso-Therm fridge, sink, and large
countertop. For guests who want to be close to the action, there’s
a double helm seat facing forward and double companion seat facing athwartships.
Nice, but even with just Hewett and me, the helm area was cramped. Having
all four seats occupied could be the end—or the beginning—of
some very close friendships.
One
feature that caught my eye was a set of steps molded in alongside the
helm that leads up to a centerline opening in the windscreen, letting
guests safely and easily access the sunpads on the foredeck. This is not
to suggest that the side decks are inadequate; on the contrary, handholds
on the radar arch, an ample bowrail, and plenty of width for my size 11-EEE
shoes made fore and aft movement safe and secure. To help keep the foredeck
looking clean and free of trip hazards, the anchor is recessed below deck
level and the Maxwell winch is tucked beneath a hatch.
Four
Winns has put a lot of effort into making the 378 easy to operate. There’s
a battery management panel just inside the cockpit entry door with switches
for lights in the cockpit and on the swim platform. It’s the first
thing you pass coming onto the boat and the last thing going off. And
if you find yourself with a run-down battery, there’s an emergency
start switch that will momentarily tie all four batteries together via
a solenoid to provide starting current for each engine.
A large
hatch in the cockpit sole affords access to the center of the engine room.
Access to all filters and dipsticks is good, and batteries, aft on centerline,
are easy to check. A fuel tank selector switch concealed in a small forward
hatch will let both engines run off either the port or starboard tank
or both and offers an “off” position that could foil a potential
thief.
From
my vantage point in the engine room, I could see that the motor mounts
are secured to stout angle brackets that are through-bolted to the longitudinal
stringers. As for construction, the hull bottom is solid fiberglass laminate,
while the sides and deck are cored with balsa for stiffness and reduced
weight. A vinylester barrier coat offers increased resistance to osmotic
blistering. To verify the structural integrity of each new model, Four
Winns says it performs extensive field testing, supplemented by forensic
analysis that involves cutting a test hull into hundreds of pieces and
examining or testing each piece for signs of degradation.
Well-built, comfortable, and fun to drive, Four Winns’ 378 Vista checked out
just fine. For dockside entertaining, leisurely cruising, or boosting
your adrenaline, she’s one express cruiser that does it all well.
Four
Winns Boats Phone: (800) Four-Winns. Fax: (231) 779-2345. www.fourwinns.com.
George
L. Petrie is a professor of naval architecture at Webb Institute and provides
maritime consulting services. His Web site is www.maritimeanalysis.com.
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