www.iFourWinns.com

Hello, I am new to this fourm as of today. I am a yacht broker by trade and we just got in a 2005 288 (Bank Repo) that I am actualy considering buying for myself. Having sold my last boat, a 58' Hatteras and looking for a small cruiser to use in San Francisco Bay and Delta this boat fits the bill perfectly. My girlfriend and I spent a weekend aboard the boat to see if we could handle the smaller space and were both very pleased with the boat. After using the boat for the weekend I uncovered a few things and was looking for some help/ideas...

1) The sliding screen door into the cabin is warped and dificult to open and closes. It actually binds up and is effecting the solid sliding door as well.
2) The hot water is coming out milky and has a very bad smell (the boat has been sitting for some time at a dealer before coming to our docks)
3) The starboard side shift is very stiff and hard to put in and take out of gear. I'm assuming this is just a cable issue
4) The boat has the SX drives with the 5.0GXI motors, what are your thoughts on this combo? Should I look for one with the duo drives?

All and all I am impressed with the quality of the boat and think the layout is great for this size boat. Being in the business I get aboard lots of boats. This will be a big change for me after owning my Hatteras but I'm excited to have a boat with no varnish and newer...

Well, I'll start, with just some basic input:

1) Not sure about the screen door, ours is hinged on the 268

2) Sounds like the water system needs to be flush ... and re-flushed .... with fresh water and bleach, until it's clean, clear and smells good.

3) Likely a cable adjustment or cable replacement

4) I would certainly prefer the duo-props, but with twins, the benefit would be more in fuel economy and initial planing than in dock handling.

Good luck!

_________________
Gordon Arnold
New Hampshire

2003 268 Vista ..................................................................Prior: 97 245 Sundowner

A friend has that boat with the SX drives and it performs well.

_________________
Inboard, outboard, onboard never bored
KUT 'N LOOSE
'99 258 VISTA