www.iFourWinns.com

As I continue my Vista research prior to pulling the trigger on a 298, I 've read a few times that they are "wet boats". I have a 24' Chaparral now and the only time we get water in the cockpit (and even then just the occassional spray) is when we get into 3' or higher waves out on the bay. What's the experience of the Vista crowd here? Spray is to be expected in rough conditions, but how rough does it have to be before you and your passengers start getting wet?

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'01 Vista 298

The only time I experienced a wet ride was a few weeks ago when the wind shifted from the south and I was headed against it. waves were easily 3 footers with swells here and there. the only area that got sprayed was the aft couch so my passengers just shifted over and they were fine. other then that I have not experienced a wet ride. last fall when I was taking the boat to be stored for the winter I was in 3 footers but going with the wind and did not get wet at all. I did read a review of the 298 and it said it is a wet ride but I question the conditions.

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1999 298 Vista [color=#FF0000]Sold!!!
twin Volvo 5.7GXI

Woody: Pour you a beer, Mr. Peterson?
Norm: Alright, but stop me at one...make that one-thirty

A wet ride is more subject to conditions and angle of entry to the waves. But, some hulls do better in those conditions than others, simply by the design of the hull. The 298 Vista is considered by most to fit the category of a wet ride in less than ideal conditions.

As an aside, I have got soaked on a 356 Carver, 330 Sea Ray and a 348 Vista on different occasions as well. Have taken a bath on our 268 Vista several times, even buried the bow in waves twice. So there is never a guarantee that you will remain dry in any boat in certain conditions.

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

Current Boat: 2004 Chaparral 235 ssi cuddy

Burying the bow is always a fun one ....... Especially with no canvas up.

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Gordon Arnold
New Hampshire

2003 268 Vista ..................................................................Prior: 97 245 Sundowner