www.iFourWinns.com

So yesterday started out like a typical Saturday for us...or so it appears.



Truck and boat all hooked up and ready to go.

After a long tow, she left with her new owners..



And now I can focus fully on the next boat. Its a bittersweet goodbye as we took our last trip on her, the sea-trial with the new owners. As expected, she ran great! I hope the new owners have as much fun with her as we did.

We were able to look at both a 318 and a 298 yesterday, that were side by side. There is no comparison. 318 is a much better layout and feels so much bigger. Now to finish the deal on the next one, and begin our new chapter in boating...slipping!

Due to a recent job change and a little one on the way, slipping will make things so much easier. Take a quick drive to the boat, and off we go. No more loading her on the trailer, or getting to the lake and the cabin being 90+ degrees.

I think I'm still in a daze, as it hasn't hit me that my 268 is no more. I'll most likely be selling my truck as well, since I have no need for it. That and I've washed it more than I've driven it since I got my new car...and thats just a big waste just sitting there in the driveway not being used.

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2007 358 T-5.7GXi IB
Previous Boats
'08 H240, '08 V318, '04 268, '04 225

Congrats on your boat sale.

I agree with your logic that it is easier to enjoy your boat when she is in your slip when you have a young one(s). We enjoy leaving our house and driving to our boat (1 1/2 hr drive) and when we get there we just walk on the boat, turn on the hydro, air conditioing (if needed), turn on city water and were done, except for unpacking our supplies brought.

So if its raining out, or we end up arriving late at night due to other committments its the same thing, open the camper canvas and walk into the boat.

Trailering has its advangtages too, just depends on how you want to boat and what size of boat you need/want.

Enjoy your journey towards purchasing your new boat.

Good luck,
Mike.

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Current Boat
- 2001 Four Winns 328 Vista "Hour Decision"
- 2010 310 Mercury Inflatable

Previous Boats
- 30' Doral Prestancia
- 25' Doral Citation

Congrats! You had that 268 in impeccable shape!

Now, onto the next one!

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2008 318 Vista -SOLD, but I am still around!
All Night Long, Seattle WA

Good to hear you are moving up!....
The new owner of the boat will be very happy since you took care of it so well...

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

Congrats on the sale of your boat & new born expecting. How exciting on all fronts. Wife & I just had our first 8/30/10 & are really looking forward to getting some time on to he water this summer. Just got back from Bonita Springs Florida on Thursday & our little Katie had a blast both in the ocean & pool.

I know this is bitter sweet but slipping will be a great experience for you and the whole family. Can't wait to get up to see your next one.
Congrats.

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Jnizi

2007 Vista 338 "Better Yet"
Previously:
2007 Vista 258 " Just Right"
2005 Horizon 230

Great news! I'm glad you were able to get out from underneath your 268 before committing to a new boat. In this day and age, you should count yourself lucky, or more likely you should credit yourself for being smart. You're going to love slipping, especially on a lake as big as Lake Michigan. Although I like a change of scenery on occasion, the hassles and time associated with trailering (even an express cruiser) just aren't worth it. So nice to walk down to the boat, throw your stuff on and go. Equally nice to return to the dock, throw on the cover and go. You'll have plenty of exploring to do on Michigan....hell, I'm still finding stuff to do and see at Brookville. Congrats and I think I speak for the board when I say we're looking forward to seeing the newest addition (and we don't mean the one currently gestating in your lovely wife's belly).

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2006 Vista 258
2007 Yukon Denali

Thanks guys. It is a lot of changes but it will be a new and exciting adventure. We have a 7 year old currently, so the newborn will just add to the mix.

Also selling my truck....the admiral can't believe I'm doing all these at once. I figure do it like a bandaid, quick and painless!

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2007 358 T-5.7GXi IB
Previous Boats
'08 H240, '08 V318, '04 268, '04 225

Congrats. When I saw your post about the reduced price on the 268 the Admiral and I had a serious discussion because that was a great price for a boat in very good shape. We decided that we will keep our current boat and and any new investment would be a new home, with a home, vacation condo and a boat, I don't want to be stuck not being able to move to a new house if we can't get approved because of a new larger boat loan.

+1 on being in a slip. We keep reconsidering the money to spend on a slip for 6 months but it is wonderful to get to the dock and be pulling out within 10 minutes of arriving. If I were to trailer our boat it would be at least 45 minutes to get the boat from storage and then take it to the boat ramp, plus about the same amount at the end of the day. Since we keep the boat far from home,it really helps maximize our boating time while we are there on the weekends or the summer vacation.

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Terry
Current: 07 Crownline 255 CCR cuddy - 350 Mag MPI/B3 "Casi Cielo"

Previous:97 245 Sundowner 5.7GI/SX

Tow vehicle: 1986 GMC 2500 Camper Special 454/TH400

Congrats on your sale!! Once you figure out the gas money spent on towing the 268 EVERY weekend, maintenance on the trailer and truck, and launch fee's....I think you might end up saving money by only paying slip fee's! You guys are going to LOVE slipping your new boat , and good thing is you have already built a network of friends not only at Hammond but across the entire south end of the big lake...see you at Boater's Beach!

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Our Boating Blog: http://ben-dana.blogspot.com/

2005 268 Vista "Sea Pickle II"
1979 AMF Alcort Puffer
Previous:
2003 FW190 Horizon
1973 Startcraft 18ft "Sea Pickle"

Congrats and good luck with the new search!

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Norris Lake, Stardust Marina, Andersonville, TN
2005 Four Winns 230 Horizon 5.7L Volvo Gi/DP
2001 Maxum 1900SR 5.0L V8 (Sold)
2011 Nissan Armada Platnum

All this talk of slipping and no more towing is making me think about getting rid of the 220 and getting something a little bigger and just leave it at the marina. Your probably correct you might actually save money. It does sound pretty cool to just drive to the marina and jump on the boat and go instead of the headache of towing. Will have to see what my admiral thinks about getting into something a little bigger.

Many In/Out places can take 30 foot boats. We love the ability to trailer if we want to, but have the boat at our fingertips without worrying about it in a slip is a HUGE plus for us.

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2001 Horizon 260 - 7.4 Volvo GSI DP