www.iFourWinns.com

I am new to this site and seriously considering the purchase of a 2001 298 Vista. I am not familiar with Four Winns having come from a Bayliner 3450 Motoryacht (took on water at the dock and was salvaged). From the website the boat looks to be in perfect condition and I hope to do a visit and sea trial next week, but the boat is about 4 states away so I want to be as prepared as possible when I look at it. (I always have a survey performed and sometimes an angine mechanic and plan to this time as well) Are there any items I should be particular about mechanically or from a structural standpoint? Any common areas for water leaks or weakpoints? Thank you in advance!

_________________
1999 298 Vista [color=#FF0000]Sold!!!
twin Volvo 5.7GXI

Woody: Pour you a beer, Mr. Peterson?
Norm: Alright, but stop me at one...make that one-thirty

First, welcome to the forum. Alot of good information is shared here. Regarding your prospective purchase, I'm not familiar with the 298 and suprized someone hasn't commented. Regardless, you seem to be on the right track by getting a hull survey and hopefully at least a engine compression check. Oil analysis also if you want to cover yourself. Fourwinns have a solid reputation but every maker produces produces a lemon at times. The hull/engine survey should determine that. Good luck and again, welcome.

Thanks for gettnig back to me, I was suprised no one else did as well since I thought the 298 was a popular size. I found a couple I am interested in but both are going to require a decent drive to see them. One of them left me thinking though. the owner did not have any pictures but said the swim platform was 2 1/2 feet. Every 298 I have been on had a much larger swim platform. Did the swim platform come in two different sizes?

_________________
1999 298 Vista [color=#FF0000]Sold!!!
twin Volvo 5.7GXI

Woody: Pour you a beer, Mr. Peterson?
Norm: Alright, but stop me at one...make that one-thirty

Hi and welcome to the forum. I've owned my 2003 298 with Volvo power for a little over 2 years and have had zero problems. The one weakness of the boat is it does tend to have a wet ride. I do take spray over the windshield in anything larger then 2' seas, but the performance makes up for that in my mind. It handles like a 22' boat.

I'm not sure about a 2000, but the engine hatch is a nightmare on mine . It's a single, heavy piece and a tight squeeze to remove. The engine room itself is roomy for a 30' boat assuming no gensent.

I don't believe the 2000 had a Merc option, so the B3 corrosion problem won't an issue.

Why the downsize?

_________________
-Tom
2003 298 Vista

I have a 2000 298 Vista and the only issues that I have had with my boat are:

1. the battery charger does not and has never worked (I have to use a trickler charger).
2. the port holes (on top) need to be checked because if they are not in proper working order, you will have to replace the entire system since they quit making the style that are in the early 298 Vistas.
3. the port windshield wiper gets stuck under the walk-thru windshield and I have had to replace it twice due to motor burn-out.
4. check the trim gauges because the senders go bad quickly.

Other than those items, I have never had any major issues with my 298 Vista (knock on wood). A very reliable boat IMO. Good luck with the sea trial.

_________________

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

The 3450 was my father in law's for a while and he asked me to be part owner with him about 3 years ago. It was great when he bought it because the family would take overnighters. The 3450 had three staterooms, two full baths, plus a large kitchen. Now that the family doesnt take large overnighters it makes more sense to have more outside space. unfortunately the 3450 took on water and was salvaged which is forcing us to buy a replacement soon. To me its really not a downsize but a re-size since we will be adding so much more outside space yet still have a spot for 2-4 people to sleep if needed.

_________________
1999 298 Vista [color=#FF0000]Sold!!!
twin Volvo 5.7GXI

Woody: Pour you a beer, Mr. Peterson?
Norm: Alright, but stop me at one...make that one-thirty