www.iFourWinns.com

I am looking to trade my 95 SR sundancer 300 for a 328 vista 99-03 and I can't find out the headroom . Anyone 6'3" who owns one or has been in one I would GREATLY APPRECIATE your input as well as any other likes and dislikes. Closet one is 3hrs away . A dealer at skipper buds said they (328 ) will feel more cramped than say a SR 330. Thanks

Here is the link to the specs for a 2002. It says the max head room is 6'2".

Where are you located. Maybe someone on the board is around where you are and you can climb on someone elses boat. I think there is more than 6'2" but it's best to tryit on for size

You will have to go to page 67.
http://fourwinns.com/content/assets/documents/catalogs/2002/FastFacts_2002.pdf

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


Mike

I'm 6' 2" and have lots of head room.

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Current Boat - '04 328 Vista "Be As You Are"

Previous Boats
'04 268 Vista
'97 238 Vista
'94 210 Marada
'88 175 Sunbird

I say if your short list is down to a SeaRay 330 or Four Winns 328 you should get on both boats and compare what is really important to you. Head room may be one item but I bet there would be others. We compared the 330 and 340 SeaRay to the 328 Vista before we made our purchase.

I'm sure the 330/340 SeaRay is a decent boat, just depends on what is important to you and which boat meets your want list the most.

Mike.

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Current Boat
- 2001 Four Winns 328 Vista "Hour Decision"
- 2010 310 Mercury Inflatable

Previous Boats
- 30' Doral Prestancia
- 25' Doral Citation

I really like the style of the 328V and I would like to try out the volvo. And yes I must have headroom . LOL There is a 298 v about 5miles from me but not a 328v . I drove 3 hrs to look at a regal once only to find out they are not made for 6+ people .But I will keep looking . Thanks

If you haven't driven a boat with a Volvo DP before you will wonder if you put it in gear or not!! We have always had Mercruisers before we got our 278 Vista, when I shifted into gear the first time I thought something was wrong with the shifter! I took it back out of gear and tried again! No big cher-chunk like we always heard with our Brovo III. It just slips into gear so silently that you don't think it is in gear, has to be easier on the gears. I am now a Volvo-Penta fan . Good luck with the search (wish we were looking for a 328 V )

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2008 Vista 278, Dale Hollow Lake

If you ever have experienced a shift cable boot failure on a Merc or changed the impeller then you will further appreciate the Volvo/Penta setup.

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http://i1339.photobucket.com/albums/o71 ... wqm355.jpg


08' H210SS
VP 5.7Gi

No I have not ever driven a boat with a V/P but I like what I have read . My merc alpha 1 makes me shudder every time I shift it . I am a truck Driver and I'm used to smooth shifting not grinding. Are there corrosion issues with the penta DP. What made you decide on FW over SR ? Oh ya , just did impeller on my alpha ...... PIA!!!! I am about to spend $2400 to have new gimbal bearings ,bellows,shift cables and trim sensors .

There are no corrosion issues with the DP drives.
I did not even consider the SR. I looked at a few Cruisers for the same $$. I beleive it was a Cruisers 3575 which is not a fair comparision. It has a 13' beam and inboards. I was tossing between the 298 and the 328 and went with the bigger of the 2. The layout for us in our 328 was what we were looking for. Not sure about the SR but the 328 has a good quantity of counter space to prepare a meal and also we were looking for the U shaped dinet. Also I went with the GXi's for the added hp. Also I beleive the FW offered the best bang for our $$$

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


Mike

You asked for any other likes dislikes. Well a lot of things are personal preference, but I will mention I liked that the 328 Four Winns came with twin 5.7 litre Volvo Penta Duoprops that propel the boat really well. No problem getting on plane heavily loaded, cruise speed around 30 MPH with top speed in the 45 MPH range with the small block 5.7's. Decent MPG numbers, and decent room in the engine compartment for routine maintenance items even with the generator. SeaRays in the size range of the 328 are typically big blocks and inboards.,

If you are in fresh water, I would prefer the benefits of I/O's over inboards.

Mike.

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Current Boat
- 2001 Four Winns 328 Vista "Hour Decision"
- 2010 310 Mercury Inflatable

Previous Boats
- 30' Doral Prestancia
- 25' Doral Citation

I agree with you about the inboards/v drives ,For me I like the I/O . I just got home from looking at a 2000 298v and the headroom is not enough for me, I sure hope the 328 has more or it's back to looking for another sea ray . But I sure do want a winny , I like the fit and finish and I WANT A VOLVO/PENTA P.S. I'M ONLY 6'2'' AND I EVEN TOOK MY BOOTS OFF AND I STILL HAD TO BEND MY KNEES

Thanks for all the replies , I am going next weekend to look at the 328v . 4 hr drive but I gotta see it !!! I have narrowed my picks between the 328v and MAXUM 3300se

UPDATE, I finally had a chance to go see this 99 328 vista today,what a nice boat . Seller is a fanatic about maintenance and the boat is almost flawless. I had to decide between a 98 3375 cruisers or this one and I just could not pass on this FW 328. Doing a sea trial soon , Is there anything I should look for in this particular model ? Thanks

Not sure that I'm aware of any particular area of concern on a 328 that is more prone to having issues over similar boats, but do your due diligence during your sea trial to verify as best as you can that all systems are working as expected for example:

- Make sure during WOT that you reach the approximate 44 - 46 MPH range at the specified engine RPM. Don't be alarmed if the boat is a couple MPH short of reaching this speed, since waves, boat bottom condition, state of engine tune, prop condition all have an effect.

- Watch the engine temps and oil pressure gauges to verify they are were they should be?

- Trim the drives, use the trim tabs, windlass, VHF radio etc. If this Vista has a generator, start her up and put a load on it. Generators are expensive, may as well find out before purchasing if there are issues. At the dock back on shorepower check out the 120 volts systems.

Try as many other boat systems as you can. Having someone with you familar with the 328 would be a great asset.

I would consider having a marine surveyor present with you during your sea trial and I would definately have a marine survey as part of your offer to purchase agreement.

I'm not sure of your experience with evaluating boat hulls engines and drives. You will be spending a decent chunk of coin for your 328, I think it pays to have a competent surveyor, survey your boat before you owe it.

Mike.

_________________

Current Boat
- 2001 Four Winns 328 Vista "Hour Decision"
- 2010 310 Mercury Inflatable

Previous Boats
- 30' Doral Prestancia
- 25' Doral Citation