www.iFourWinns.com

a 248 has a longer loa than a 258? Hmmm.... strange. Brett I read your post about wanting an arch. I am with you!! It adds a great look to the boat and very useful for radar,lights etc. I may just upgrade before I sink that kind of $$$ into my 258. Sea Ray has the lions share of the market up here. Although I am starting to see more and more Rinker boats around. Anybody got an opinion on Rinker?

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1999 258 Vista
"Its All Good"

gcejd,

Yep the 248 is 2" LOA longer than the 258, essentially due to the bolted on swim platform on the 248 being a tad longer than the integrated swim platform on the 258, and inside dimensions are very similar as well.


The arch is something I really want but not sure I am going to outlay the cash that it will take to make it look factory and not be a tubular arch. To do it right, if you could get an arch that is beam width and integrates into the gunnels like other OEM arches, and redesign the camper canvas to work with an arch, it's going to take a tremendous amount of money.

Rinkers are nice boats, I don't think they are on the same tier as a Four Winns boat but they are on par with Larson and Glasstron (and both of those boats are Genmar). They do take the fit and finish work an extra step on the Vistas in my opinion. But that doesn't make a Rinker boat bad, I think they are very nice boats.

Honestly Sea Ray does not impress me, never has!

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Brett DiMichele

From my experience, at least up here in Canada, Rinker has a considerably less resale value than Larson or any other manufacturer. I'd say almost in line with Bayliner which has the worst resale value...IMO.

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"ROCKHOUND"
2005 Vista 298
Georgian Bay, Ontario.

Thanks for the input on the generator and Rinker boats. I kind of thought they (Rinker) where lower end as well. I think I will go another year with my 258 unless a smokin deal comes my way!! Winnipeasukee has officially iced out as yesterday!!!

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1999 258 Vista
"Its All Good"

Edit

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

Current Boat: 2004 Chaparral 235 ssi cuddy

Yahoo, two weeks till launch

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2008 V358 Two-tone Blue V/P Dual Prop 320 HP
Lake Winnipesaukee, NH

My Sister and Bro-in Law have a Rinker 360 I think that is the size. They love it. Not too many issues. They thought Sea Rays which we owned at the time they were in the market, were too expensive and found Rinker to fit their budget and needs. They don't seem to regret the purchase.

No matter what you like at the boat show, if you are the type that likes one stop shopping and less service hassles, go with the biggest most popular brand in your area. I this k if I had to do it over I would take that I to consideration even though we love our FW.

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2008 Four Winns V358 (T 6.2L Merc Bravo III's with DTS and SeaCore)
2006 Sea Ray 340DA
2006 Sea Ray 320DA
2005 Maxum 3100 SE

I would never go for the most popular brand if it wasn't the boat I wanted. I instead would rather narrow my search to the brands that I would consider and then find forums (like these) for the brands I was interested in, and start locating info on the local dealer network, parts, service etc.

That's not to say a particular brand doesn't make a boat I'd own. Like I said above, SeaRay has never really impressed me, but that is on Express Cruisers, the Sedan Bridges, certainly will get the nod when I decide to make that move.

I would probably buy a Rinker if the deal was right.

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Brett DiMichele

We decided to try the Honda route after considering the costs and installation time- We use the boat at Powell in the summer and Havasu in the winter and this has really worked well for us- Here is a pic of the genset on the swim platform with the short cord mentioned in the other post- I just added a new outlet at the back of the boat where the water inlet was. I also keep our Waeco freezer on the back deck for frozen stuff and ice-


Wags
'07 258 Vista
Cordillera, Colorado

Wags- Thanks for the pic! Do you keep it there while underway? That is an awsome picture! What kind of fish are those? It looks like you were hand feeding them! I think my dog would have jumped in after them!

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1999 258 Vista
"Its All Good"

wags,

What outlet did you have installed, that is the exact set up I use with our Honda, but would like to get rid of the long cord draped all over the place to get to shore power outlet. This will be next project with boat when it gets out of storage!! If the snow would stop.

gcejd, I run my honda with it in the same location while underway, I am just very cautious about coming off plain too fast and splashing water all over gen set and swim deck.
I have my flame suit on, everyone attack away.

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

We keep both the genset and the freezer on the platform all the time- I installed fold down cleats and use a really simple strap that really secures both units down really tight. Honda makes a great cover for this genset that fits really well- If I am not using the genset I usually put it on and it does a good job of keeping any water out- So far water has not been a problem- but I think the silver cover with "Honda Marine" on it looks good anyway.

The receptacle is the same model as is on the port side(Marinco?) It is just parallel wired into the existing unit- You would not want to plug into shore power while the generator was plugged in and running or vice versa with the configuration- its not a problem for us since we dont ever hang out in slips with power- we are usually dry camping on Powell or at basic slips in Havasu in the winter. You could add a simple transfer switch if this could be a problem, or just determinate the existing shore receptacle on the side and use the one at the back only-

The pic was taken at Dangling Rope Marina at Lake Powell in Utah- The fish are carp that were easily coaxed to the boat with our dog Olivias favorite treat- Crunchy Cheetos.

The weather here at home (8500') has been snowy and cold of late- tomorrow we head to Havasu for 90 degrees and
to install a Maxwell 500 windlass, Nmea 2000 trim tab position indicators, a Nmea fuel flow indicator and some icy cold Coors Light and flip flops.

Wags
07 258 Vista
Cordillera, Colorado

Wags,

If you get a chance could you snap some close up pics of your pop up cleats and your outlet. I am looking into doing this for my next project and appreciate any help or ideas you could add.

I agree w/ PC having the long cord draping around just doesn't look good, your set up is awesome!

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Walter

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

Wags, thanks for the info, enjoy your weekend. I too look forward to a couple photos of your set up.

Here are some pics- got back yesterday- Moved the boat from Havasu to Powell for the summer- Sorry for the delay, internet access was worse than dismal at our campsite in Havasu. But we did get a few 100 degree days that soaked some of the cold out of our bones from a long winter.



Fold down cleats on SP


New receptacle location


Adapter cord that came with boat


Genset in place


The receptacle above the generator receptacle is a trolling motor 12 volt outlet to run the Waeco refrig/freezer that mounts on the platform- It runs on the 2nd bank- if the genset is running it switches to 120 volt. Best piece of equipment on the boat as I think it draws 40 watts and will cool to zero degrees F and saves having to buy overpriced ice at Powell.

Fold down cleats bolted thru platform into void accessible from engine compartment- a snap to install.

We have the rear seat that folds down- note the aft positioning of the genset and cleats- it allows the engine compartment to open fully with the genset and Waeco in place. Something to consider in placing the cleats.

Hope this helps-

Wags