www.iFourWinns.com

I would love to see Brett pick up a "genty used" Bayliner!

I hear there's some great deals....

And I think I read somewhere that Genmar makes Bayliner...

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

Don't forget, they are also going out of business in 3+ months.

One interesting observation howerver, is that Four Winns made a "similar" boat in the old 278 Vista, discontinued it after 4 years, and Bayliner also discontinued the 275 after about 4 years too. Might be something to that.

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

Current Boat: 2004 Chaparral 235 ssi cuddy

OK - I've got to throw one more variable into this... When I had my 260 Sundancer (28' overall) I felt like it was at the limit of how big an express cruiser should be with a single in terms of ease of close-quarters maneuverability. My slip-mate has a 280 Sundancer with a single and I know he has a rough time with it around the docks if there's any kind of wind or current to contend with. While I am certain it is manageable as boats have been made like this for a long time, it's something that would definitely give me pause before making the leap. Not to complicate things Brett and maybe it's just me or something you've already thought about.

Anyone with thoughts on this?

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Previously:
2008 V358/Volvo 5.7 GXi Inboards

There is no doubt that twins are far more maneuverable. I'm definitely still on the learning end of the skills curve - but I also know that I can drive twins like a single and probably do what I need to do.

THe biggest thing is to realize that you just have to do things slower than could/would on a smaller boat/cruiser.

If he's used to tearing the 248 around... He'll be able to adapt to a single on anything under 30 feet.

The Sea Ray with a single 496 is a popular combo here in Seattle - and people seem to do ok with it.

But it does also depend on how wind and current affects your particular area.

I wouldn't go near a single cruiser if I lived in area where fighting wind and current was a regular event. Sierra is right - it could really suck.

Great question for Brett to consider.

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

Cap'n,

Bayliner??? I would rather buy a boat from a defunct company than be seen in a Bayliner!

My next boat absolutely *must* have a gen set and an integrated Radar arch, my next boat will have radar!

I don't see any resemblance between the Venezia and that Bayliner. One has lines, the other doesn't

(Posted from my Blackberry)

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Brett DiMichele

Sierra,

That is a very valid question. I am very good with a single I/O in wind and current. Since I am a river rat, current is something I always have. There is typically a 3.5knt current till roughly 3AM when they close off the spillway on the locks and then it can, at times go completely placid.

Wind varies but I've docked in as much as 20mph which is "fun"! Needless to say, I've become very good at thrust vectoring!

(Posted from my Blackberry)

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Brett DiMichele

Keep telling yourself that...

Brett, I like the bold look of the Venezia especially with that red hull. Keep looking you never know what will turn up....

What about a Rinker 280 EC or a Monterey?

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Marc, Kathlin & Nathalie


'89 Chaparral Laser 32

'93 Vista 245, 5.8L w/ King Cobra

Former Boats
'01 H260, 7.4 VP Duoprop
'98 H200, 5.0 GL w/VP SX drive

This really sounds to me like a case where not being able to demo a boat could be a mistake. I know that's often easier said than done - and in this case with these particular boats, probably impossible - but it would be a shame to be displeased with the handling of your new boat and have to 'settle' for what you got. I bought my 260 without a demo and, while I enjoyed having the boat for the six months that I did, there were enough quirks about the way it handled that I might have shopped around a bit more after a demo. It also made the decision to move on after one season very easy.

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Previously:
2008 V358/Volvo 5.7 GXi Inboards

I don't know Brett, they look a like to me as well, but that could be from the trick photography

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2000 248 5.7L DP
'92, '94 SXI 750, '08 STX 15F, '12 Ultra LX 300
Videos

You guys are correct, they do look very much alike! They both have a flat end, and a pointy end and both have an outdrive!

Here are some of the high resolution photos I requested that they took for me. I dunno, looks pretty decent.

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Brett DiMichele

Why is there water in the bilge? Isn't the boat brand new?

I see what looks like a little rust spot on the S-Belt too, maybe a leaky canvas if the boat was put outside ???? Or maybe it was just caught in a rain/snow storm with out the canvas up, before they could bring it inside.

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

Current Boat: 2004 Chaparral 235 ssi cuddy

If you notice the bilge water has a slight rust color to it, also notice the big hoses are off the raw water pump.

My guess is they test ran the boat, drained the raw water pump and the manifolds and took the photos "while they were down there".

It is a FWC motor but you still have to winterize the manifolds and raw water pump and heat exchanger.

What do you think of the bilge finish work? It doesn't seem to be worse than my Four Winns which I am happy with. I do notice a whole hell of a lot more hoses and stuff I like the idea it has the stainless steel hot water tank, bronze strainers and it has the good tank level sensors not the one's like FW uses which never work.

In the photos I don't even think the gen set is fully hooked up, notice no lift muffler and the thru hull isn't hooked up for the raw water feed to the gen. The genset is tucked under the front lip of the sole.

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Brett DiMichele

Probably due to winterizing as well.

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2008 Horizon 260 VP 8.1 Gi