www.iFourWinns.com

So yeah... I love the 240 -- but the overnight capabilities are starting to perk more interest with the admiral. We still love Four Winns - even though our local dealer may be packing up and leaving down (not that I care too much).

Question for the Vista owners... I'm not new to the cruiser market - we had one in the family way back (a 1992 Maxum 25 footer). I really want to push for a 318, but I think the admiral and I are going to settle on a 278 or 288. I know the differences are vast - single engine vs double - and an extra foot of beam, but only an extra 18 inches in length....

For those of you battling similar decisions at some point in your boating careers, how did you make your decisions? 1) I would like the ability to trailer for cleaning/storage - but not because I want to travel distances. Because of this - I think both boats are fine. 2) Yes, one engine isn't bad on the pocket book - and 2 doubles everything -- but I change my own oil and do my own servicing - so I'm not worried about that. 3) Cost. duh -- 50+ thousand to add an engine and 18 inches? Is it worth it?

cost is definitely going to be a factor, but I'm not worried about getting raked over the coals. Whatever we decide to do will be a great deal either way.

Any advice?

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

I pondered over the same thing, I ordered a 278 but then a 288 arrived at the dealer which he had ordered in. I compared the room inside the 288 to the 278 and that won her in doors over.The twins over single for berthing and reliability for outside the harbour etc, having said that I still think the 278 is a lovely boat and I would like to have the ability to trail it, even if not often to keep it out of the water over winter months(no dry storage big enough here) The other obvious advantage of the 278 is the no fixed Vberth which offers extra room below when the berth is not made up!
Im sure youll be happy with either boat whichever suits your needs.
Cheers Robbi

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2008 V288 with twin 5 litre Seacores
http://www.galwayhouse.com.au

My next upgrade will be focused on beam width over length. IMHO the beam width makes all the difference in the world. If you can afford it my vote would be to go w/ the 288.

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Walter

2003 248 Vista - VP 5.0 GXi
2009 Toyota Tundra SR5 5.7L 4x4

I just finished my first season on a 278. I was considering the same things you are this time last year. I certainly enjoy the ability to trailer my 278 but I did keep it in a slip over the summer and only ended up pulling it out twice. Today I will drive to the dealership and pick up the boat and put it into winter storage after being winterized. I plan to pull my boat to a few different places in the next few years. I would have done more of that this past season but the weather here at the start of the season was awful and family weddings and obligations kept me from doing that. I spent every available weekend on the boat and often would go out on Friday night and not leave the boat until Sunday evening. Many nights were spent in the marina hooked to shore power but my wife and I did manage to spend about a dozen nights on the hook.

I would love the room of a 288 but I did not want the additional cost or the hassle pulling the larger boat. The 278 works for me for now. The 278 is cozy so make sure your wife is OK with the size and room down below. My wife adapted quite well but I stay out of her way when she uses the shower and does her makeup. She is also incredibly organized and has packed every square inch of the boat which is also important.

If trailering and the cost is not a factor go with the 288 I just wasn't ready to make that jump yet.

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2008 Vista 278 Volvo Penta 8.1 Gi 375 hp
1999 Horizon 220 5.7 GSi

Hi--I went through the same thought process and ended up with a 288--never regretted it. I think I would have regretted getting a 278 though. Gas consumption surprisingly not much difference if you check the stats. Gotta run the single engine in the 278 that much harder. Get a load of gear and 4-5 people and I'm glad I have two V-8s pushing. Also, wife loves the 288 and the 278 would have been a little too tight for us in terms of space. I don't have any 2-footitis and I'm sure I would have had a severe case of it if I had gone to the 278.
Wife and son new to boating and the 288 is that much more stable. If you get a chance--compare rocking motion from the 278 to the 288 if by chance you can see the two docked together. The extra beam does make a difference in terms of stability. Our model (2004) has the convertible berth up front--tell you the truth--it is made into a bed for most of the season. Chances are you are going to spend you socializing time in the cockpit and not down below. Settee in the 288 is nice place to watch tv from or have an early morning coffee while everyone else is still sleepling. Cost--when I bought there was only about a 20,000 differential between the two. Trade any new boat in and you are going to take a good hit. Also, no doubt wife would be saying why do we need to get a new boat. Happy wife=happy life.
Good luck in whatever you decide, take your time and make the decision that is best for you.
Mike

How ever do us 248 owners get by....

Beam is nice for what it can do inside the cabin. If I had the money the Doral Venezia (which isn't any longer than my 248) would probably be in my driveway because it's a wide beam compared to my 248 which allows for a single and a genset or twins, and the cabin and cockpit both gain a foot in width.

But also bear in mind, wider usually means a seasonal towing permit. Anything over 8' 6" requires a permit (sure, you may get away without one, but if a keen eyed officer catches you, you will also get fined).

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Brett DiMichele

cougarcruiser,
I went with the 288 for the Beam and twins. We stay on ours quite a bit. In fact we have had quite a few days that we stay, but it never leaves the marina. I like the added space.

I am sure either one would be a great choice.


Good luck Bill


Did you ever come out to NH?

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2001 Sundowner 235

Yeah - we made it out to NH. Drove up from Boston on Saturday to see Ryan and crew at Winnisquam. Wend out to Weirs Beach to check things out. Lots of exploring. Weather was so so.

Did have a chance to try on a 278 - and I liked it alot. Although, at 6'2'' - the headroom was a little tight.

Still thinking about a 288 - although there are rumors of a new 30' twin coming out in the next year or two.

Also exploring the possibility of a 318... although I'm not sure the admiral will let me take it that far. I can't believe that a 318 is now 230-250k with options! Holy cow! (Retail of course)

We're really thinking hard about whether or not we need/want/should be in a boat with trailering capabilities. We did a couple of local lakes outside of our normal "home" lake this year - but we really weren't too excited to go back to any of them again anytime soon. Larger boats can do so much more out here in Seattle - so there is definitely an advantage to that.

The local dealer is gone... closest dealer is a couple hours away -- so whatever I do will probably involve Winnisquam in some way, shape, or form. They're only a few hours away anyway (by plane).

I did also catch up with Flying Sushi (Koji) while I was in Boston. Had a great lunch covering all the boating adventures we've had.

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

WHy is it that just when you think you have settled on a 288... the fresh scent of a fantastic opportunity for a 318 rears it's ugly head...

Question for anyone who has actually sat in a 288 and a 318... Is it worth the price difference?

3 more feet... one more foot of beam. 3 man couch rather than a 2 man couch.

For what I have found, the price difference between a 288 is significant, but still very manageable...

Thoughts/opinions?

We're archiving the thoughts of a 278 for now... we've settled that a 278 is a great boat - and love the style - but we can do without the trailering and would like to do some long weekends in what's called the San Juan Islands out here in Seattle. For comfort alone the 288 (or now the 318) is looking to be the target.

Is the 33' manageable?

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

Ok here is my totally biased view. I didn’t think for us that the price difference was worth it. For us I think we get into the debate of being big enough to stay over for the weekend vs. being to big to park / anchor at times.

It comes down to personal preference. I like the 318, but didn’t want to make that jump, but with that said I didn’t think I would trade my 26 footer.

Good luck with your decision.

Take care Bill

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2001 Sundowner 235

Is 33' that much tougher to park/anchor where you guys are at?

I have thought about that... when you get over 30', sometimes slips at the local terminals are a bit harder to come by...

Still working through issues and thinking about how to come to a conclusion.

The deal on the 318 is just REALLY hard to pass up.

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

Cougar,

In our marina we are at about the max for my area within the marina. I would have to move to a different area within our marina. I just like the area we are in. I would bet that parking would be about the same. If the deal was a great one. I might have to consider it myself.

When I ordered mine the price jump to the 318 was huge.

I can tell you the boat can seem really big and very small at times. It all depends on what we are doing at the time.

I think you have to look at what you are going to be doing most of the time and see what boat offers you the most for that use. I think that is the biggest reason for 2 footitis.

Good luck Bill

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2001 Sundowner 235

Cougar, I'm not sure about marina rules were you boat, but in our marina. Your boat is not to exceed 35ft. LOA if you want to stay in a 30 ft. slip. Over that, then you have to get in a 40 ft. slip. The 40 footer is a jump in price too. So, you may be able to keep a 318 in a 30 ft. slip if your marina is similar.

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

Current Boat: 2004 Chaparral 235 ssi cuddy