www.iFourWinns.com

Hi all,
I'm a current regal owner and about to defect having been a longtime admirer of Four Winns. I'm seeking input re: a few issues:

1.) About to purchase a low hours 2002 268 Vista with new manifolds/risers..Boat is with no arch and no generator but otherwise is near flawless....Price will be around 30K at the end of the day....Price seems solid though I have some hesitation as there are few for sale in FL where i'm purchasing and its hard to gauge a market that doesn't exist.....Comparable with generator and arch for 2005 would be 45K locally......Is it really worth the extra 15K given the otherwise outstanding condition of the 2002 and the <100 engine hours on the boat?

2.) Resale market in FL???? Should I be concerned??? Strength of Four Winns' name down here vs. the popularity of the Sea Rays...

3.) Any of you Floridians: I was mentally set on a generator but when I found the vessel i'm considering, the condition and its price made the genenerator a second thought....Two young ones napping in the cabin in the middle of summer in South Florida....Will they roast without the a/c?....some of my friends say yes and others say now....warm but with a breeze!......i'm too concerned about the CO issue to consider a honda portable.....

Many thanks for the kind input in advance!!!!

I think a 2002 for 30K is about 8-10K too high no matter what the condition is. Only trust the hour meter if it's been verified by a marina with a scanner. The new manifolds seems odd for a low hour boat.

I would definitely reconsider your generator issue. Either come to grips with the reality that you will be running a portable or else skip this boat and find one that has a genny built in. You will want the genny in the hot sun if you plan to spend any kind of time down below.

_________________
Marc, Kathlin & Nathalie


'89 Chaparral Laser 32

'93 Vista 245, 5.8L w/ King Cobra

Former Boats
'01 H260, 7.4 VP Duoprop
'98 H200, 5.0 GL w/VP SX drive

If you are buying a boat with re-sale in mind forget about buying the boat. They are one of the worst investments that you can make. No matter how well you take care of it they are expensive to operate. It will quickly depreciate in value and you will always find some joker who will say that he got a better deal than you. Who cares!! If you like the boat and YOU FEEL the price is right for your budgett then it's a great deal. I own a 2003 and am planning on keeping it for a long while. I paid $31,000.00 for mine with 60 hours two years ago. I have already received that back in fun times and memories that I have had with my family. There you have it.

_________________
2003 268 Four Winns Vista
F-350 King Ranch Diesel (Tow)
1990 Four Winns Fredom 180

Well Ill add my 02 cents worth on this. I sold my 03 268 last august for 40K. It was a fresh water boat its whole life. Approx 325 hours (cant remember exactly) arch, generator, 5.7 douprop.

I have always hoped to break even if I ever sell. I didnt do it with the 268 because I installed the genny aftermarket, but like Winns for Life states, whatever I went backwards on, I was so far ahead in the amount of fum my wife and I had, kids too when they wanted to go...

The advice I always give, is buy your second boat first. If its your second boat, buy your third boat second. Why, becuase you will get 2 footitis, 3 footitis, or 5 footitis... in a couple years.

Good Luck!

_________________
Jeff

'14 Cruisers 380 Express "Simon Sez"
Merc 8.2 Mag MPI 380
DTS B3X, (x2) Axius Premier


(SOLD)
'08 V318
Merc 350 Mag MPI 300
DTS Seacore, B3 (x2)