2011 Four Winns V305

Boat Reviews

Reviewed by Richard Crowder

It’s not often that a boat comes along that introduces radical new design features in its class that really make you stop and ponder and think. But such is the all new Four Winns V305 mid-cabin express cruiser. There is not one but two of these major design innovations on the V305 to catch your attention. The most visually obvious new idea, either from close-up or afar, is the optional extended height windshield which is approximately twice the height of any normal cruiser windshield on a boat this size.

The second but immediately not so obvious innovation is the placement of the galley in the cockpit instead of the usual location inside the cabin. Four Winns probably rightly reasons that most entertaining occurs in the cockpit and most time aboard is enjoyed in the cockpit and that with food being such a large part of that entertaining and enjoyment, why not put the galley close at hand. Sounds most logical and begs the question as to why no one has thought of that before now.

Both ideas are sensible, logical, practical and well executed on the V305. Let’s first deal with the windshield. Seasoned boaters on a mid-cabin express cruiser this size have almost all experienced some frustration when standing at the helm for extra visibility in lousy sea conditions or when docking, of either having the upper horizontal windshield frame right in their line of sight, or, especially in inclement weather, of having to peer through the clear, or not so clear as the case may be, vinyl panel attached above the windshield. Also, for those who regularly boat in high wind or sea conditions, wind and spray is constantly a nuisance to all those in the cockpit. This high windshield is said to reduce or eliminate both conditions. And wisely, Four Winns has made it an option, so now you get to choose; regular windshield or extended height.

As for the galley “up,” again Four Winns has hedged its bets here too. The only real part of the galley missing from the cabin is the stove. The V305 still provides a refrigerator, microwave, and coffee maker in the cabin for those “first thing in the morning” necessities. And of course there is a sink and water supply in the head. In the cockpit, along the port side, is a stove, refrigerator, sink with water and storage compartments. A cockpit grill is optional. The cockpit table is sufficiently large for a boat this size to handle any entertaining and a standard cabana hardtop with full enclosure camper canvas in your choice of navy, rattan, or jet black will protect entertained guests from the elements. Even air conditioning/heating is optionally available for the cockpit area to keep all aboard in total comfort. An added benefit to this layout is the extra room generated in the cabin area by not having a full galley and the space it consumes.

There are many other neat features incorporated in this new model which also deserve mention. The cabin interior is indeed roomy and Four Winns has enhanced the “roomy” feel with six-foot, four-inches of headroom plus large hullside windows and two deck skylights plus a screened hatch. Use of light coloured materials and fabrics in the cabin also enhance the feeling of openness. A huge forward U-shaped dinette converts to a daytime/fulltime lounge or additional sleeping for two while its backrest motors up electrically as an adjustable headrest for, and to add size to, the upper level V-berth. A curtain provides privacy to this area.

You will have a significant decision to make with regard to the mid-cabin too. You can go with the standard entrance with a privacy curtain or opt for the enclosing bulkhead with a door. Once again, this is an unusual choice to be able to make in a cruiser this size. The mid-cabin berth is equipped with a regular queen-size innersprung mattress allowing the use of regular fitted sheets. More kudos to Four Winns. A porcelain VacuFlush® head is standard equipment. Water and waste tank level indicators are standard. Sony® provides the entertainment in both the cabin and the cockpit.

Speaking of the cockpit, the V305 provides lots of seating with a double-wide helm seat with flip-up bolsters, a portside full length lounge with backrest, and the aforementioned dinette seating which converts to a full sunlounge. The swim platform is huge and incorporates classy blue lighting for night time mood setting.

There are several choices of twin dual propeller gasoline sterndrive power from either MerCruiser or Volvo Penta available for the V305 starting at 220 horsepower to a maximum of 300 horsepower. MerCruiser’s Axius or Volvo Penta’s Joystick control systems are both available and should be given serious consideration for the incredible handling benefits they provide. Other notable options you may also wish to consider include, remarkably, either a gas or diesel generator, plus foredeck sunpads, dual control anchor windlass, remote spotlight, and three locations of flatscreen TV’s with and without DVD’s.

This new V305 from Four Winns joins twenty-eight other models in five series from this Michigan company ranging from eighteen to almost fifty feet. The V305 is not just another thirty-foot mid-cabin cruiser. It is unique, and it will make you stop and think about your priorities in boating and offers alternatives to those priorities that others simply cannot offer.

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