www.iFourWinns.com

I am torn. My boat is a 97 and I know I wont ever recoup my investment after dropping $2k on a swimplatforms.com platform.... but I really really want it

I try to be financially practical and I need help making a decision either way on this. Advice?

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1997 Four Winns Vista 278
T - 4.3l EFI
Kohler 4esz Genset
379 hours as of 8/8/21

I had put one on my 97 Sundowner and loved the fact that I did. But when I sold that boat I lost my shirt on all the extras I put on it. So if you plan on keeping your boat for at least another 5yr go for it you will get a ton of enjoyment out of it. If not then set that money aside for upgrades on the next boat

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2001 328 Vista "Nauta Dream 2"
AB Inflatable 10AL "Little Dreamer"
2000 248 Vista
1997 225 Sundowner


Mike

Yes the question is how long will you keep the boat, if more than a few years go for it.
I got mine painted 2 years ago because the red gelcoat was shot that didn't make sense withe but I love how it looks and am keeping it as long as is practical.

The only bad thing about ext swim platforms is you bang your head on them getting the drive(s) on and off.

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88 Four Winns 200 Horizon
4.3 OMC Cobra-4bbl
2002 Walker Bay 10/2012 Suzuki 2.5
2008 Walker Bay 8

1998 Jeep Grand Cherokee 4.0/Selectrac
2007 Jeep Grand Cherokee 5.7 Hemi/Quadradrive II

Let`s say
Taking family to Disney World for a week… it would cost you $4000+
Taking family to Red Sox Game… it would cost you $900+ (with dinner, parking and drinks...)
Spending time with you boat on majority of time in Cruising around…. $ 1400 (per week) for gas (you need to figure out how much)

Spending time with you boat on majority of time rafting with other boat or anchor down and enjoy the new swim platform…. $2000

$2000 might sound a lot but if you compare to what you could spend other thing it might not be too bad…..
I would go for it…. You will love it

They would agree.

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08 H260 VP 8.1Gi DP.....Previous
2013 Crownline E6 Merc 8.2MAG BIIIX, DTS/SC

Nice and if you have kiddies they can jump off without you worrying about the props.
I always used to keep the drive turned to the side opposite than the ladder.

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88 Four Winns 200 Horizon
4.3 OMC Cobra-4bbl
2002 Walker Bay 10/2012 Suzuki 2.5
2008 Walker Bay 8

1998 Jeep Grand Cherokee 4.0/Selectrac
2007 Jeep Grand Cherokee 5.7 Hemi/Quadradrive II

Extended swim platform was on my "must have" list when I was looking for my boat. Always have kids on the boat and they love it. Plenty space to put ski's on, hang around, or jump into the water. Also extends over the drive and prop so lowers the risk of a kid jumping onto it and getting hurt. Adds cheap real estate to a boat, and while you may not make the money back when selling, you will sell it faster.

Negative is that it extends the length of the boat so make sure you can still store it.

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Cheers

Mark
Melbourne
Australia

Boats:
Current: 2004 FW 190
2001 Mastercraft X5
1998 Malibu Response
1999 Sea Ray 180
17 ft Scimitar Barefoot (200hp Yamaha)
16ft Scimitar Ski (Yamaha 115)
1988 Ski Nautique ( Called Ski Antique)

I say yes.

We live on ours when the boat's in the water.

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It is great added space. In addition to all the other comments, it is much easier to get on or off the boat, go from one boat to another when rafted up, maybe even put a chair or two on it, or use it prep or return from dinghy or water sports. If you keep the boat for any length of time I would recommend it.

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Surface Interval: A scuba diving term for that time between dives to relax and prepare for life's next great adventure.

Current boat: '02 FW 268 Vista
Previous boat: '95 FW 190 Horizon

I sooooo recommend getting the swim deck. We have the same boat (mine is a 96). We ordered ours from swimplatforms.com also. Great product and company to deal with. In fact my buddy ordered his last week for his 94 278 vista going to install this week. Not only will you spend most of your time on it the inside of the boat will be cleaner and less sand if that's an issue where your at. We put three chairs on it and a cooler with room to walk by and get inside the boat. Well worth the expense. Very easy to install just remember to raise up the back slightly when putting the screws in the front of the deck and when you put the screw in where your ladder used to be you will see metal shavings when you drill. That's where the backing plate is for the stock ladder. Also order with the ladder in the middle easier to get in and out and you can use the swim deck vents as handles.

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1996 278 Vista Dlx Twin 5.0
1999 Sea Ray 215 ex cruiser (sold)
1989 Seaswirl (sold)

The swim platform is one of the most used areas of our boat but like anything having to do with boating, it all depends on how often you are going to use it. If you are a 3 to 4 time per year boater, then I wouldn't buy it but if you boat every two weeks or so, then it would be worth it.

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Current Boat: 2000 Four Winns 298 Vista
Previous Boat: 2000 Carver 406MY

Thanks everybody for the advice!!

We live on Lake St. Clair, and spend 99% of the weekends on the hook out on the lake, or at our boat club (which is on a private island). We also have a black lab that LOVES swimming, and he has no room at all to jump and dive with our current built-in platform.

Im seriously considering ordering it this week. Anything I need to know about installation - do I just drill holes in the transom and seal them with 4200 or something?

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1997 Four Winns Vista 278
T - 4.3l EFI
Kohler 4esz Genset
379 hours as of 8/8/21

Yep, 100% yes! Of all the money I spent on my Larson, the platform was the most worth while expense, and I do believe it did add some to the resale value of the boat. Heck, I sold the boat for more than what I paid for it 4.5 years before (not counting what I put in it). I'm sure I didn't recoup what I put in it, but it sure made me feel good...

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2004 Four Winns 328 Vista
1997 Larson Cabrio 290 - sold
1988 Rinker Fiesta Vee 248 - sold

We probably would have kept our 240 a little longer with a platform. Write the check!

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Lakebum
2006 378 Vista
Nashville, TN
Current
04 Hustler Cheetah
06 Seadoo sportster 150
Past
06 378 vista
328 vista
240 horizon
21' glastron
20' celebrity

Just be careful with drilling into the transom. If they are secured with through bolts, then I'd make sure I sealed the inside of those holes with epoxy first, let it cure, then use 4200 or life seal to seal the opening. If you have to use screws, you can over drill the holes and fill with thickened epoxy and then re-drill. More work but anything you can do to keep water out of a transom, esp if plywood cored, is a good thing. I have installed transducers, new speedometer sensors etc and have had good luck with Life Seal (re-bed several years later and no water came out). The filling with epoxy goes above and beyond what most would do but its the best way to avoid problems. And remember, fresh water rots wood, salt water preserves it....

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88 Four Winns 200 Horizon
4.3 OMC Cobra-4bbl
2002 Walker Bay 10/2012 Suzuki 2.5
2008 Walker Bay 8

1998 Jeep Grand Cherokee 4.0/Selectrac
2007 Jeep Grand Cherokee 5.7 Hemi/Quadradrive II

Swim platform was a must for me when I was looking for a boat. You might not recoup the cost when you sell it but it will be a lot easier to sell it with a swim platform.