www.iFourWinns.com

The 328 I'm buying has been surveyed and I was told that the anchor looked to be too small. Once the boat was pulled and I had a look at it, I must agree it looks like what I've used on 19', 3500lbs boats in the past.

I'll be using the boat on Lake Ontario, which I think the bottom is mostly mud and sand, perhaps someone with knowledge of the Lake can correct me? I'd like to know what suggestions for a new anchor would be given the lake? I would like one that I do not need to worry about slipping if I want to spend a night on anchor. I also have read that for a 33' boat I should use 33' of chain and the rest rope. My thought is to buy a new bow anchor and keep the current one for spare or stern anchor.

I know there are likely a thousand opinions on what anchor is best, so maybe you can tell me what you use for your 328 and the type of bottom you use it for.

Thanks,

Steve.

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1969 Chris Craft Commander 47
1999 Four Winns 328 Vista - SOLD

For Georgian Bay, I use a plow anchore with 50 feet of chain and 150 feet line. It seems to work good and fits the 328 well. The maxwell freedom 500 than is on my 328 can support both chain and rope. The maxwell web site has specs on the type of rope and chain. I feel a bruce anchore is even better for mud. A Danforth is only good in sand and is useful as a stern anchore after setting the bow anchore and backing up to a sandy beach and using a spare Danforth as your stern achore in the sand. West Marine web site has good info on the different types of anchores to use for different conditions. I think my acnhore is about 20 to 25 lbs.

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Mike
2001 Four Winns 328
Midland, ON, Canada
Cruising Georgian Bay
Previous boats: Doral Monticello and Chris Craft Scorpion

Mike is right.

I like the Fortress anchors http://www.fortressanchors.com/fortress ... guide.html

I have a 26' boat with a FX-11 with 30' of chain & 250' of line. It has never pulled out!! Just 2 weeks ago, I was in 43' of water, had 225' of rode out with 3' waves for 2hrs. No problems!!

You you need a FX-16, as Mike said 50' chain and I would have 200' of line. Everbody claims that the plow types are better. But this anchor and setup works for me.

Hey Steve
I just wanted to pass you a quick message regarding the purchase of your boat. I believe you are puchasing it from the same brokerage that I purchased my boat from. Your boat may be fine, but my purchase from that brokerage was terrible and I have no respect for them. They sold me a saltwater boat when I was clearly looking for a freshwater one, The drives had damage and both needed rebuilding, the boat clealy hit something as there was major damge to the drives and bow center keal, the aluminum port hole windows have corrision as well as other metals due to saltwater issues. The batteries were not right for the boat, the vaccum flush toilet need work as the valves, plunger, and motor had to be repace, and cockpit carpets needed replacing.
I spent alot of money and was fooled that this boat was A1 condition. I love the Four Winns 328 but this important purchase for my family was an awful experience. I rushed it and had trusted a snake. It makes me sick every time I think about it. Make sure you pick the surveyor and mechanic doing the inspection ( I never did one as it was a 2001 and apparantly is A1 condition. Your boat sounds like a saltwater boat due to the overboard discharge which mine also had. Hope your purchase goes well. Be careful! I just wanted to give you a heads up.

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Mike
2001 Four Winns 328
Midland, ON, Canada
Cruising Georgian Bay
Previous boats: Doral Monticello and Chris Craft Scorpion

Got almost done and my power dropped...so here I go again.

Thank you for the concern Mike, it's appreciated. So far I've had nothing but a good experience with the broker, they have been very good keeping me informed and letting me know the process (important as this is my first boat). They have even helped with some details that I would not have been able to. Also, the guy I'm dealing with has his boat in a slip 5 down from mine, so he's going to have to see me very often - I guess you could say I know where he lives!
That said, I've had the boat surveyed and mechanical is today or tomorrow. Also, I physically attended the survey so I saw the moisture numbers on the hull and heard the hits of the hammer. Not a guarantee but all I can do.

The boat actually doesn't have a macerator, just the button in the head. The boat has only had one owner and has lived in fresh water all it's life - it was (actually still is till Monday) owned by a local doctor. It's low hours, 269 and my wife has used the head so she can confirm it's working. During the sea trial it ran great and I tested every component I could think of (although I did forget to check for hot water). I have a pretty good handle on it's condition and I know what I'm going to need to replace when I get on it.

Of course I hope I'm right!
Steve.

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1969 Chris Craft Commander 47
1999 Four Winns 328 Vista - SOLD

Sounds like you are doing all the right things. Nice to know the owner is local. Enjoy a great boat.

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Mike
2001 Four Winns 328
Midland, ON, Canada
Cruising Georgian Bay
Previous boats: Doral Monticello and Chris Craft Scorpion

22 lb plow anchor with as much chain as you can afford and you'll be great.

I run a 22lb shiney, stainless anchor on the 318 with 200 feet of chain -- it holds amazing with a 3:1 scope, and it's rock solid at 5:1 with wind, current, and tide swings.

Looks good, super functional... no complaints from me.

http://www.marinepartdepot.com/wibeshau28.html

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

Heh, which anchor to use is often a hotly debated topic. I've got a Delta plow style and it's been great for the mud bottom of the Chesapeake.

It definitely helps to have a decent length of chain. The chain is what keeps the line horizontal to the bottom so the anchor can dig downward. Just line alone ends up pulling upward too much on the anchor and keeps it from getting a good bite. I believe our 348 came with 25' and that's worked ok. Some folks go all chain but that adds a lot of weight up at the bow, which can negatively affect performance. Your idea of using 33' seems reasonable. Just make sure you have enough line to give you at least 5:1 where you'd be likely to anchor regularly. Given the shallow nature of the Chesapeake I don't need much. Don't know what's typical for Ontario.

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-Bill Kearney, 2005 348 Vista

Considering I could carry the tub of 1/4'' G4 chain that I added to the boat... I can't imagine that it impacted performance that much.

I can't lift THAT much. If I could haul around enough weight to impact performance, I'd be Captain America or the hulk or something.

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

What weight Delta do you use? As mentioned above, the recommendation is 22lbs for the 328, is there value (will it fit) going up to the 35lbs Delta?

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1969 Chris Craft Commander 47
1999 Four Winns 328 Vista - SOLD

Yes, I knew you'd ask that.... I can't recall. I'll be at the boat this weekend and will check to see if the weight is listed on it.

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-Bill Kearney, 2005 348 Vista

Thank you, I would appreciate that. I have a lot of things to buy for this boat and I'm trying not to buy things that are not required - that said, if the correct item costs more I won't let that stop me from getting what is needed.

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1969 Chris Craft Commander 47
1999 Four Winns 328 Vista - SOLD

Just to add my $0.02 to the debate....

I could never anchor here with the danforth that came on my 248. The anchoring procedure for my boat in the sandy conditions here in Biscayne Bay required me to manually get set the anchor by hand if I wanted to ensure a good set. When I installed my windlass I went ahead and increased my chain on the rode to 20 feet and replaced the anchor with a 15.5 lb delta plow.

I could not be any happier. The anchor sets so well its like strongly applying the brakes in your car when it catches and I have never had it come loose.

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Walter

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

Can anyone confirm if a 35lb Delta will fit on the bow of the 328V? I just agreed to buy a used 35lb Delta from someone local for a good price and I'm really hoping it will fit.

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1969 Chris Craft Commander 47
1999 Four Winns 328 Vista - SOLD

Doesnt matter now, lol.

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Current Boat:
2004 Sea Ray 320 Sundancer "Nauti Luvin'"

Previous Boats:
1999 298 Vista "Seas The Day"
2008 H200SS "Nauti Luv"
2006 Tahoe Q4