Four Winns Sundowner S215

The Four Winns boat range encompasses more than 40 models, though not all are available in Australia. The local range is dominated by sports bowriders and luxury cruisers. All models come with an impressive life-time warranty on the structural components of the hull and deck.

Several low-profile cuddy cabin models are also available in Australia. The smallest is the trailerable (with an over-width permit) Sundowner S215. Named the European Power Boat of the Year in 2012, the S215 is the subject of this test report.

Some of this gear includes a digital depth sounder, Sony stereo system with speakers, well placed drink holders, lockable glove box, bilge pump, navigation lights, courtesy and cabin reading lights, adjustable-tilt steering wheel, deluxe seating and upholstery, boarding platform with hidden, fold-away ladder, tastefully upholstered side deck panels and more.

The list of standard features is too extensive to itemise here so check the Four Winns website www.fourwinns.com for the full inventory.

In the US there is a range of sterndrive engine options for the S215 from both MerCruiser and Volvo Penta. Through Brisbane dealer Springwood Marine, the S215 can be rigged with a MerCruiser 5.0-litre MPI 260hp V8 matched to a MerCruiser Alpha One drive leg -- or a larger 300hp MerCruiser 350 MAG MPI with a Bravo One leg.

The test boat was fitted with the smaller motor and I would happily recommend it for most applications. The test rig accelerated strongly and achieved a top speed of more than 40 knots.

Packaged with the 5.0-litre MPI MerCruiser sterndrive, inshore safety gear for eight people, and with the standard Four Winns Sure-Load tandem-axle trailer, the S215 is priced from $76,500.

Springwood Marine had fitted the test boat with a number of options. They included extending the gelcoat colour down to the keel, full camper covers (not shown in photos), electric anchor windlass, Florentine interior colour, dual batteries, stereo remote, transom shower, and an EZ Loader aluminium trailer with electric brakes and spare wheel.

The Four Winns “LX” and “SLX” optional packages were also added. The former consists of a bimini, bow scuff-plate, upgraded helm chairs, six pop-up cleats and clip-in cockpit carpet.

In the SLX package is a cockpit cover, cockpit table with mount, foredeck sun-pad cushion and platform mat.

With the above options, Springwood Marine has the S215 priced at $82,600.

At the stern, the engine cover over the MerCruiser doubles as a full-width, adjustable sun lounge. Cleverly, the cushion and hatch cover on the starboard side can be fixed into an elevated position to create a chaise-style lounge with back and head-rest support.

If you want to sit on the rear platform facing aft, there’s another hatch which lifts to a convenient head-rest position. Alternatively, you can simply stretch out full width across the boat to really soak up the sun.

If the rear sun deck is not enough, you can option the boat with a sun pad cushion which clips into position on the foredeck. The deck is easily accessed from the cockpit thanks to fold-out steps at the cabin entry which makes it easy to climb up through the centre-opening windscreen, and onto the foredeck.

The vinyl fabric used for the sun lounge cushions and the interior seating looks to be a quality, hard wearing product, but we suspect it will need to be kept out of the weather to keep it looking smart.

Boarding the S215 from the water or when the boat is on the trailer is pretty easy. A hidden ladder, recessed into the massive rear boarding platform, can be folded out and down so you can climb up onto the boat. Lifting the starboard side engine cover reveals a walk-through arrangement from the stern platform straight into the cockpit area.

Under the walk-way is a small, clip-on mesh storage bag, and beneath that there is provision for the optional second battery -- as fitted to the test boat.

Under the port-side engine cover there is another, larger mesh storage bag, along with access to the primary battery and electrics. The installation was neat and tidy with ample space for servicing and maintenance.

Lifting up the main engine cover reveals the MerCruiser V8 engine and the bilge area. Again there was plenty of space for servicing.

In the event of a serious engine problem much of the modular-style seating and surrounding compartments and bulkheads can also be removed for unrestricted access.

The S215 is rated to carry eight adults onboard and can comfortably seat six adults in the centre cockpit area. The rear lounge can hold six, while the helm and co-pilot chairs cater for another two people.

There is storage space under the rear lounge, along with a useful ice box for keeping your drinks and food chilled.

The helm chairs fitted to the test boat were the deluxe optional models with flip-up bolsters which allow you to perch on the top of the seat for better vision.

The fully-seated driving position, with the seat bolster folded down, is one of the best I have ever come across in a trailerboat. It is just like driving a car -- you can slide the seat right forward so that your legs tuck under the dash and the steering wheel (tilt adjustable) and throttle are perfectly positioned.

Moving the helm chair aft makes it possible to steer while standing, but it is not as comfortable because there are no grab rails. The windscreen is also quite low (leaving you exposed to wind and spray) and the steering wheel and throttle are more difficult to reach.

The dash and fascia are nicely finished in black with a black vinyl trim with white stitching. Modern looking Faria gauges keep you informed of engine rpm, boat speed, water depth and trim position, etc.

Switches to either side of the wood-grain steering wheel operate the horn, blower, lighting, bilge pump, and the electric anchor windlass (if fitted).

Opposite is a matching moulded co-pilot console equipped with a lockable glove box and drink holder.

Recessed into the outer side of the console is the Sony stereo which has speakers in the cockpit and in the cabin forepeak.

A full cabin bulkhead separates the cabin from the cockpit. In the centre is a cleverly designed roll-up aluminum door. Fully lockable, the door lifts up and slides back and under the foredeck. It works a treat and is more functional than a traditional hinged or bi-fold fibreglass door.

There is minimal headroom in the cabin -- just 680mm above the centre berth cushion. However, on the port side there is a specially designed seat with its own cushion and back rest. There is more space overhead at this point in the cabin so this single person seat is quite comfortable.

There is enough length to the cabin for a couple to sleep onboard. Instead of a separate infill board, a bi-fold timber section in the centre of the cabin can be unfolded to create a full-width double berth.

Beneath there is space for a chemical toilet -- though this is not a standard inclusion.

There are no cabin side storage pockets but there is storage space under the entry-way step. There’s also a small shelf in the forepeak for books, mobile phones, etc. Clear overhead hatches with fly screens provide light and ventilation.

The S215 shares its “Stable-Vee” Four Winns hull and rear deck layout with the Horizon H210 bow rider model. The hull has a fine entry, high topsides amidships, a deadrise of 20 degrees and a maximum beam of 2.55m.

The latter is just over the maximum width for towing on Australian roads so a wide-load permit may be required.

Stern buoyancy pods (or extensions) in the hull on either side of the drive leg provide lift to help the boat plane quickly and with a flatter attitude. The pods will also help to snap skiers straight out of the water when accelerating from a stand-still.

The smooth-water handling and performance of the S215 was exemplary. The power steering was ultra light, and the hull turned on the proverbial dime, gripping securely in high-speed turns.

At rest, the S215 is very stable, very solid. It feels like a larger cruiser to drive -- big, safe and comfortable. I hesitate to suggest it feels heavy because while the weight of the boat and the MerCruiser inboard smoothes out choppy water nicely, the hull does not feel ponderous in any way. With a smaller engine it might have felt less agile, but with the 260hp V8 MerCruiser it was both quick and responsive.

The S215 is likely to spend much of its time running in enclosed bay and harbour waters, but we did run the boat offshore and it was very hard to fault. I found it dry, soft riding, stable and easy to handle in a following sea.

With boat packages starting at $76,500 with the recommended 5.0L 260hp MPI MerCruiser, the Four Winns S215 is also competitively priced and pretty cool.

Priced from: $76,500 with MerCruiser 5.0L MPI 260hp V8 petrol sterndrive and Sure-Load tandem axle trailer.
Length overall: 6.5m
Beam: 2.55m
Draft: 690mm
Dry weight: 1680kg
Towing weight: Approx. 2400kg
Deadrise: 20 degrees
Maximum power: 300hp
Engine as tested: MerCruiser 5.0L MPI 260hp V8
Fuel: 151 litres
Garage height: 2.21m (bimini down)
Maximum Persons: Eight