Newbie, Looking for Reasons Why You Bought a Vista

Parkrat · **Posted:** Thu Jul 30, 2015 8:47 am

I had a 2003 21ft Regal before my 2006 278. I really wanted an aft cabin, but it wouldn't fit in my current slip and I've done so much work to it I had no desire to get a new slip. So I started looking at smaller expresses.

I really wanted another Regal, but came across a 278 and really really liked it. I looked at Sea Rays and Rinkers too. After looking at the 278 I pretty much made up my mind on finding one.

I'm single with no kids so it has plenty of room.

Graham R · **Posted:** Thu Jul 30, 2015 4:26 pm

We bought ours for 3 main reasons;
1. Diesel ( D4 Volvo), for ease of refuelling ( no petrol/ gas at the marina)
2. Proper toilet.
3. Longer LOA and higher weight, expecting better seakeeping compared compared to our previous 245 Sundowner

#1 and #2 work. #3 less so.

The boat is so stern heavy with the D4 that the trim tabs have to be deployed close to maximum in any sort of rough water; the 245 Sundowner coped better. Also the hydraulic steering is more sloppy than the mechanical steering was ( not what I was expecting after driving an outboard engine RIB with hydraulic steering)

JeffLW · **Posted:** Fri Jul 31, 2015 2:55 pm

For me it came down to Four Winns or Sea Ray. I like the styling much better on the FW. Also the layout. Didn't much care for the mid cabin entry and the steps to the bow on the cabin door of the SR.

scooper321 · **Posted:** Sat Aug 01, 2015 8:08 am

JeffLW wrote:

For me it came down to Four Winns or Sea Ray. I like the styling much better on the FW. Also the layout. Didn't much care for the mid cabin entry and the steps to the bow on the cabin door of the SR.

Agreed. It scares me to use the cabin door as stairs. Those sliding doors are expensive to fix, should any rollers break or anything! I like the Sea Rays, too. But the only layout I like is the 320. Similar topside to the 298. And the Chap sig 300. None of these use the door as stairs.

GI Auz · **Joined:** Wed Dec 24, 2014 9:12 pm **Posts:** 149

288 is perfect for us:
1. Upper rear layout suits how we use the boat during the day as an open family area.
2. Beds are big enough.
3. Swim platform is a handy size.
4. Performance is fine - 25 to 27mph @ 3500 with a heavy load
5. Soaks up the bay weather if needed - has not been a wet boat.
6. Easy to cook meals with the kitchen down below + swimdeck BBQ

LouC · **Posted:** Sun Sep 20, 2015 9:10 am

scooper321 wrote:

Hi guys,

Newbie here from MD. I've been considering a few boats for a new purchase, including a Vista 298. Other contenders are the Chaparral Signature 300, Crownline 290CR, Maxum 3100SE and (if I could find one) a Formula 31PC. Liked the Doral, too, but I can't bring myself to buy a boat from a manufacturer that is no longer in business (insert FW jokes here). All of these boats have similar sizes, dual I/O's and similar topside and cabin layouts (the port bench seat/lounger and the open mid-cabin are really nice features).

Anyway, this being a FW forum, I totally expect biased, pro-FW comments. And I encourage them! Can you share your experience and opinions on these models, and why you ended up with a FW?

Thanks!

Where abouts in MD? Any brackish or salt water? If so re-think if you really want a boat with twin I/Os if you leave it in the water. One is enough work.

Geared · **Joined:** Thu Aug 06, 2015 6:21 pm **Posts:** 7

We moved from a Crownline 270 CR to the Vista 298 and couldn't be happier. It's just one of those nearly perfect boats that come about so rarely. It's a true home run.
We looked at MANY boats including the Regal 32', The Chaparral Signature 300 which just felt so much cheaper in every way, the Sea Ray 290 which was very old fashioned and clunky and
many others. The 298's build quality is really beyond reproach and she's simply a pretty vessel with timeless lines that will never grow old. Every inch of space is used in a functional manner and the
boat handles like a 20' bowrider with much more responsiveness than the Sea Ray or Chapparal.
We couldn't be happier and have absolutely no desire to move to the 328 which we also looked at.

Cap'n Morgan · **Posted:** Mon Sep 21, 2015 7:47 am

Geared wrote:

We moved from a Crownline 270 CR to the Vista 298 and couldn't be happier. It's just one of those nearly perfect boats that come about so rarely. It's a true home run.
Every inch of space is used in a functional manner .

As long as you don't mind crawling over your significant other in the middle of the night on the angled V-berth, you do not
do any of your own engine maintenance with the poorly designed engine access, and don't mind the occasional wet ride in snotty conditions, Yes, the 298 was a good boat in it's day.

Also, a bit confused. In August you were looking to update the look of your 1998 258 Vista. http://www.smwebhead.com/phpBB3/viewtopic.php?f=6&t=14360&p=138432#p138432
But you state you had a Crownline 270CR in this thread, and now have a 298 Vista.
So did you buy a 258 in August 2015, sell that for the Crownline 270CR and then buy a 298 Vista, all within a months' time :?:

Geared · **Joined:** Thu Aug 06, 2015 6:21 pm **Posts:** 7

Didn't mean to confuse you. Never bought the 258 we bought the 270 CR, flipped it for a profit and bought the 298. The engine compartment is cavernous access by lifting the trunk is pretty easily figured out even by someone of quite moderate intelligence. As for getting "wet" we had no issues with 6' waves on GB on the weekend. Some may need a boat driving refresher course I guess!

Cap'n Morgan · **Posted:** Mon Sep 21, 2015 10:59 am

Geared wrote:

. Some may need a boat driving refresher course I guess!

Good suggestion. Here is a good place for you to start.

http://www.boat-ed.com/wisconsin/ :wink:

Geared · **Joined:** Thu Aug 06, 2015 6:21 pm **Posts:** 7

Cap'n Morgan wrote:

Geared wrote:

. Some may need a boat driving refresher course I guess!

Good suggestion. Here is a good place for you to start.

http://www.boat-ed.com/wisconsin/ :wink:

That should help you and the big waves getting, you, the crew and your boat soaked. Will be worth every penny for you!
Good luck and stay dry!

noexcuses · **Posted:** Mon Sep 21, 2015 12:24 pm

The wet ride doesn't have anything to do with big rolling waves, the wet ride occurs during choppy conditions.

http://www.denisonyachtsales.com/boat-g ... 0Vista.pdf

Cap'n Morgan · **Posted:** Tue Sep 22, 2015 2:47 pm

noexcuses wrote:

The wet ride doesn't have anything to do with big rolling waves, the wet ride occurs during choppy conditions.

http://www.denisonyachtsales.com/boat-g ... 0Vista.pdf

Thanks for the back-up

Several years ago we sea trialed a 298V on Lake Michigan. It was a little wet, but not a dealbreaker. The dealbreaker
was the boat was out of our budget, and broker would not budge, or we would have owned it.

Geared · **Joined:** Thu Aug 06, 2015 6:21 pm **Posts:** 7

Cap'n Morgan wrote:

noexcuses wrote:

The wet ride doesn't have anything to do with big rolling waves, the wet ride occurs during choppy conditions.

http://www.denisonyachtsales.com/boat-g ... 0Vista.pdf

Thanks for the back-up

Several years ago we sea trialed a 298V on Lake Michigan. It was a little wet, but not a dealbreaker. The dealbreaker
was the boat was out of our budget, and broker would not budge, or we would have owned it.

Ludicrous. That " link" blames it on it being a wide beamed boat so any boat 10'6" and up should be affected. Shame you couldn't afford what truly is a wonderful boat.

Decision · **Posted:** Mon Sep 28, 2015 1:42 pm

Geared wrote:

Cap'n Morgan wrote:

noexcuses wrote:

The wet ride doesn't have anything to do with big rolling waves, the wet ride occurs during choppy conditions.

http://www.denisonyachtsales.com/boat-g ... 0Vista.pdf

Thanks for the back-up

Several years ago we sea trialed a 298V on Lake Michigan. It was a little wet, but not a dealbreaker. The dealbreaker
was the boat was out of our budget, and broker would not budge, or we would have owned it.

Ludicrous. That " link" blames it on it being a wide beamed boat so any boat 10'6" and up should be affected. Shame you couldn't afford what truly is a wonderful boat.

I think Cap'n Morgan's comment with respect to the 298V being "occasional wet ride in snotty conditions" is fair. When we were looking at purchasing our current 328V I had heard the term "wet boat" tossed around, so I had posted a question about that here (about 5 1/2 years ago) and also called Four Winns in Cadillac Michigan to ask them. Their Technical Sales guy told me the 298V was their only model were the "wet boat" term could apply. Apparently it is known to throw more spray back onto itself as compared with other models.

In my opinion this doesn't make it a bad boat by any means, just one small piece of information to keep in mind when considering what is important to you. The PowerBoat link above reviewing the 298V (regarding comment on wet boat) is pretty much in line with what Four Winns said.

www.iFourWinns.com

Newbie, Looking for Reasons Why You Bought a Vista

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