www.iFourWinns.com

Vague, I know, but any thoughts/ experience on such a boat with Diesels and IPS drives ? We're possibly in, well actually definately in in a "sell the coastal vacation home and buy a much bigger boat" frame of mind, but very nervous about going from a 27' Sundowner to a 41' Vista, twin drives and loads and loads of extra bits to go wrong !!!! ! The other alternative is a 2009 278 Vista, diesel but virtually no extras and not a lot bigger overall LOA than the Sundowner. A fair bit cheaper of course !

Graham,

There are several threads in this forum about the 378 Vista (good and bad). We are one of about 7 active members of iFourWinns that own a 378Vista. We have the same boat you are looking at, but the 2008 version. BLUF (bottom line up front) - We love the boat, IPS and diesel engines! Best boat we have ever owned. Would buy the boat again if faced with same choices. Our only wish - enclosed cockpit like the FW V435 and V475. I would ensure that you have a good survey, and a trusted VP certified IPS tech take a look at your IPS SUS units and drives to ensure that they are in good order and if there are any recall/software updates, etc.

_________________
2008 378 Vista
"Not 2 SHABI"
IPS 500 Volvo-Penta D6

Previously
'06 318 Vista
'97 258 Vista
'98 195 Sundowner
'87 180 Horizon

For UK boating, an enclosed cockpit would be a must for me. Something like the Jeanneau NC11 or Cruiser's 41 or 45 Cantius would be high on my list. I have kinda lost my warm and fuzzy feeling for "cave like" express cruisers, if you plan on spending much time on board for anything other than an afternoon boat ride.

Heck, I would be looking for something like this Broom 37 if I was boating
around the UK.

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

Current Boat: 2004 Chaparral 235 ssi cuddy

Thanks for the replies. I don't think I could persuade my wife to go for an old boat like the Broom, no matter how seaworthy it is !

Graham

I agree a closed cockpit would be pretty much a must in the UK, but the hardtop of the 378 does add a bit of additional protection for the elements I would think. I would not agree that the interior of the 378 is "cave like". I was on a 378 last summer and I'm sure I could have spent much more than the afternoon I had on it! It's roomy and very, very, nice in my opinion. The previous 248 we owned, which is a very similar interior size and layout to a 268, was a little small for sure.

Man, that broom 37 is quite hideous, I'm sure my wife would run too, with me right behind her!

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2004 Four Winns 298 Vista
"Last Minute"

Good Morning, I am new to the site and a new owner of a 2005 Vista 378. I am looking forward to the boat and sharing on this site. I will look forward to any and all help and information.

Welcome to the forum and congratulations on your boat purchase! The 378 is a beautiful boat, I'm quite envious! Post some images of your new boat and let us know where your from!

Cheers!

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2004 Four Winns 298 Vista
"Last Minute"

Thank you for the welcome. No pics yet as it was cold by the time we picked it up. We will be on Lake Michigan out of a Chicago harbor. We do not know which one yet. Again Thanks

Welcome to the FW family. Also love the 378. I assume this will be you first season with it. Not to nosey but did you upgrade from another boat or is this your first?

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2001 328 Vista "Nauta Dream 2"
AB Inflatable 10AL "Little Dreamer"
2000 248 Vista
1997 225 Sundowner


Mike

Welcome aboard. You will hopefully see a few of us towards the south end of the lake. We are slipping out of Marina Shores this year. Let us know where you end up.

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Jnizi

2007 Vista 338 "Better Yet"
Previously:
2007 Vista 258 " Just Right"
2005 Horizon 230

I am a new 378 owner as well. Let me know what questions you have as mine stays in the water year-round and I've already started playing with a few things. Brought it 260 miles on delivery so got to know her well.

By the way...we came up with a name. My wife's name is Karen and I am Marty, so....

K-Mart it is....

So, we looked at the boat yesterday. Not quite as we expected for a very low hours boat. Not owned by the original dealer as such as we thought, bur the ex MD, not abused but clearly neglected. A lot more mould on the covers than our boat has after 4 months ashore. Clearly been in the water for 2-3 years, a lot of growth underwter for a freshwatr boat. To me (us) worth about at least 15% less than the asking price.

The "new" 2009 278 Vista with the 300HP diesel seemed very nice in comparison, but no extras compared to standard spec

Watch this space !!!

Hey Tim, are you still looking for a slip in Chicago? The Chicago park district has waived the non resident fee for this year and next at the new 31st harbor only. Makes it much more affordable for us non residents. They have 1000 slips to fill there.

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Jnizi

2007 Vista 338 "Better Yet"
Previously:
2007 Vista 258 " Just Right"
2005 Horizon 230

I had selected Burnham as my first choice with 31st as second. I got the pitch from the Harbor Master for 31st at the boat show. They will not send out notices for placement until the end of March. When they do I may change and decide on 31st. Thank you for the heads up!

Tim,
We stayed at 31st street in September and it is a gorgeous marina but the part I didn't like is it's wide open to the public with the exception on the individual docks. We rode our bikes on the trail to downtown which wasn't a bad ride at all except for the area right outside the marina. That park right next to the marina was packed with people and overflowing onto the bike trail. I wont get into great detail here but I will say we received a few racially charged comments which kind of made us feel less than safe. I'm not saying that this is the norm but for what Chicago Harbors charge I thought it might be something you should be aware of.

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Our Boating Blog: http://ben-dana.blogspot.com/

2005 268 Vista "Sea Pickle II"
1979 AMF Alcort Puffer
Previous:
2003 FW190 Horizon
1973 Startcraft 18ft "Sea Pickle"