www.iFourWinns.com

Hmmmm, it sure is the norm lately to buy a 248 withA/C and the seller is willing to throw in an EU2000.

It sounds like you have a plan. Keep us posted.

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

Current Boat: 2004 Chaparral 235 ssi cuddy

The size issue is one thing, but if you are in a salt water region and the boat will stay in the water, think twice about a sterndrive power package. Yes you can make them last in salt water but it takes a lot of work, antifouling paint, regular maintenance or they will cost you big time. Been there doing that still, but here our season is only 6 months. If I lived in Fla salt water and my boat lived in the water all year for smaller boats an outboard no question. Bigger boats straight inboard. I really do like FWs but too bad they sell no outboard powered boats at this time.

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88 Four Winns 200 Horizon
4.3 OMC Cobra-4bbl
2002 Walker Bay 10/2012 Suzuki 2.5
2008 Walker Bay 8

1998 Jeep Grand Cherokee 4.0/Selectrac
2007 Jeep Grand Cherokee 5.7 Hemi/Quadradrive II

I started off with a 20 foot Bayliner (as most boaters start off with) I have to say that the 20ft cuddy was a nice starter... It allowed me to get my feet wet.. Learning the ins and outs of boating, trailering, and the such. After 3 years we moved up to the 248. We needed the room and wanted something a little bigger for Lake Michigan... All said and done, I am glad i had the smaller boat to learn on...

But don't let my opinion dissuade you from getting the 248...

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2000 Four Winns 248 Vista (Nice toys, no Air)
2001 Highly Modified Yamaha GP1200R (75+MPH)

jmikula,

You got your feet wet in a Bayliner? Did it leak? (couldn't resist!)

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Brett DiMichele

Got my feet wet in a 1964 16' johnson, drain plug would get pushed out if we came off plain too fast, we had too much fun boating to remember to go buy a new one that was not dry rotted!!!

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

It did when I forgot to check the plug once... All the way up to the exhaust manafolds... But the boat emptyied... and lived on.. Still is around today (15 years later). They are great starter boats... But just not made very well... Fit and finish wise.

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2000 Four Winns 248 Vista (Nice toys, no Air)
2001 Highly Modified Yamaha GP1200R (75+MPH)

I'm not a Bayliner basher, nor a real fan, but I will have to admit, the Bayliner Discovery 288 is a nice boat. It would be a good entry level fly bridge boat. Too bad it does not offer twins. There is a 2008 leftover near here for $69K. Alot of bang for the buck IMO.

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

Current Boat: 2004 Chaparral 235 ssi cuddy

Thats too big of a boat not to have twins. I wish other builders would get into fly bridges that size level. My uncle's first boat was a mid 80s 28' sea ray that was a sedan. It was amazing how much space the fly bridge brings to the boat.

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Walter

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

I agree captwalt. A pair of 4.3L V6's would be just right in that boat. It's probably adequate with the 350mag and B3, but would be a handful in a strong breeze around the dock. I would love to see Four Winns make a 30 to 32 foot flybridge boat someday.

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

Current Boat: 2004 Chaparral 235 ssi cuddy

Thanks all for the good advice and tips. I picked her up last friday and thought I'd share a picture of her at her new home with you all.

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Richard - FL - 2005 Vista 248

WOHOO! Great Ric! Welcome to the club. She looks great!!! Where will you do your boating?

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Walter

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

Awesome news ! You have the best of both worlds, a house on the water, and a nice boat to use on the water.

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

Current Boat: 2004 Chaparral 235 ssi cuddy

Thanks capt - mainly around Cape Coral - Sanibel etc... Looking forward to teh weekend...

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Richard - FL - 2005 Vista 248

Excellent. I'm on the East Side in Miami. If you ever make it this way look me up.

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Walter

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

Certainly will

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Richard - FL - 2005 Vista 248