www.iFourWinns.com

I had a '95 278 with T/5.0L Cobras (claimed to be 225hp) that was a great ride. No matter how hard I ran it in Lake Michigan, you would hardly ever get wet in the cockpit, even when trying. In August '07 I upgraded to an '03 298 with T/270 VP DP's. The layout is almost identical to the older 278 which we loved, but larger. The ride is great but you might as well figure on wearing your swim suit all the time b/c you are going to get soaked! We took a trip from Holland, MI to Chicago this past summer in 1-3 ft seas with the front canvas up cruising at 21 to 25 mph. It was like driving towards a NYFD engine company with a water cannon! Even with Sunbrella's double gasket at the top of the windshield and the hefty overlap flaps on the zippers, water absolutely blasted in through the zippers and snaps. I think the "bloated" hull shape of the older boat pushed the water aside, whereas the concave shape of the 298 shoots spray ahead of you and then you drive into it. I don't load the v-berth with gear (it goes in the aft cabin). It doesn't matter how I trim the tabs or drives. Are any other 298 owners experiencing wet head?

Common issue with the 298 Hull. It's always been a wet ride.

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

Current Boat: 2004 Chaparral 235 ssi cuddy

I currently own the 298 - and yes, it can be wet if there is a wind. The upside: it is a great boat and the beam size for the length of boat offsets the wet issue. There are after market company that makes a product called smartrails that some have mentioned to eliminate hull spray. Many of the new style cruisers have this issue.

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2002 Vista 298 VP 5.0Gxi

Thanks, MCKLS. I'll google the smartrails & see what happens.

Oops. I meant MCLKS.

By chance, did you try the Smartrails?

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2002 Vista 298 VP 5.0Gxi