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Vista 268 - newbie!
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Author:  zeberifo1 [ Tue Sep 17, 2013 4:17 pm ]
Post subject:  Vista 268 - newbie!
Hello All!
I am hoping to be the new owner of a 2002 Vista 268.
It has windlass, 5Kw Koehler generator, radar arch, trailer, A/C Cruisair, 280HP Volvo Penta 5.7L duoprop (298 hours), extended swim platform, bimini and camper tops. No GPS. She looks to be in really good shape except for some caulked holes in the radar arch and helm dashboard.

She's listed online for $35,999, but for end of season, I am going to offer $30k.
The sale incentive of storing it for me all winter doesn't really motivate my price since he would be having to store it anyway.
What do you all think of my intended offer? the most I'm willing to pay is probably $32k. I will of course be getting a marine and engine survey as well.

We are in West Michigan. Anyone around here too?
Any opinions on if it's better to slip in Saugatuck or South Haven (both being about 45minutes away). South Haven appears cheaper, but we really like Saugatuck.

We've never owned a boat before.

Thanks for the help. I hope to join you all as a Vista owner!
Author:  Cap'n Morgan [ Tue Sep 17, 2013 5:32 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Vista 268 - newbie!
zeberifo1 wrote:
Hello All!


We are in West Michigan. Anyone around here too?
Any opinions on if it's better to slip in Saugatuck or South Haven (both being about 45minutes away). South Haven appears cheaper, but we really like Saugatuck.

Yes, another West Michigan boater here.
Both South Haven and Sausage-Tuck limit you to Lake Michigan or river boating, unless you trailer. Farther north would be a more desirable location.
On rough days on the big lake, you are pretty much stuck at the dock for the day. Ask the guys who slip in Indiana about how it can be with only
Lake Michigan as your boating choice. When it is nice, it can't be beat, but when it is rough, it's no fun at all.
Author:  Bliss36 [ Tue Sep 17, 2013 5:56 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Vista 268 - newbie!
Welcome aboard and good luck on your purchase...you've decided on a great little cruiser! Both South Haven and Saugatuck are great locations with my personal preference being South Haven. I have to echo what Cap'n Morgan said in that a location like White Lake or Muskegon would be my choice simply because you have more options when the big lake is a mess...which happened a lot this year. Plenty of great marina's in that area as well as some nice inland lake anchorages if you like to sleep on the hook!

Keep us posted on your purchase, and don't hesitate to ask if you have any questions about that specific model since we have plenty of current and past owners of a 268 here :D

P.S. My signature picture is from one of those nice little inland lake anchorages in Muskegon Lake!!
Author:  firecadet613 [ Tue Sep 17, 2013 8:15 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Vista 268 - newbie!
Price sounds good if you can pick it up for closer to the 30k. Its easy enough to remove and recaulk those areas to make it look good.

How many hours on the generator?
Author:  zeberifo1 [ Tue Sep 17, 2013 8:37 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Vista 268 - newbie!
I'm not sure the hours on the generator. Definitely something I'll need to find out.

The reason we were thinking about Saugatuck or South Haven is that they're both about 45 minutes from us in Otsego.
The next thing north is Holland. Any opinions on that? I understand Holland has a nice big lake as a backup to poor weather on Lake MI.
I don't want to slip too far away, cause I can see that being an excuse not to make the drive.

We decided that having a slip would be cheaper than buying a 3/4 ton pickup.
Thanks for the dose of reality on Lake MI boating!
Author:  firecadet613 [ Tue Sep 17, 2013 8:44 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Vista 268 - newbie!
FWIW, I trailered my 268 and love it. We miss the chance to explore different lakes and scenery, something that Bliss36 is enjoying now.
Author:  nathan [ Tue Sep 17, 2013 11:12 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Vista 268 - newbie!
zeberifo1 wrote:
Hello All!
I am hoping to be the new owner of a 2002 Vista 268.
It has windlass, 5Kw Koehler generator, radar arch, trailer, A/C Cruisair, 280HP Volvo Penta 5.7L duoprop (298 hours), extended swim platform, bimini and camper tops. No GPS. She looks to be in really good shape except for some caulked holes in the radar arch and helm dashboard.

She's listed online for $35,999, but for end of season, I am going to offer $30k.
The sale incentive of storing it for me all winter doesn't really motivate my price since he would be having to store it anyway.
What do you all think of my intended offer? the most I'm willing to pay is probably $32k. I will of course be getting a marine and engine survey as well.

We are in West Michigan. Anyone around here too?
Any opinions on if it's better to slip in Saugatuck or South Haven (both being about 45minutes away). South Haven appears cheaper, but we really like Saugatuck.

We've never owned a boat before.

Thanks for the help. I hope to join you all as a Vista owner!


. I have a 2003 four winns 268 that is brokered in missouri. You are right on with pricing. mine has all options gen air and trailer priced at 34,900 and 32k is the bottom dollar on it. if it does not work out check out mine.

http://www.boattrader.com/listing/2003- ... -102100625
Author:  kd4pbs [ Wed Sep 18, 2013 9:10 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Vista 268 - newbie!
I must have got an excellent deal on mine last month. You'll love the boat!
Author:  zeberifo1 [ Wed Sep 18, 2013 10:07 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Vista 268 - newbie!
kd4pbs wrote:
I must have got an excellent deal on mine last month.


So,...why do you say that? :wink:
Author:  JeffLW [ Wed Sep 18, 2013 3:24 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Vista 268 - newbie!
Good luck on the purchase. Looks like a clean boat.

Two years ago I couldn't find a 268 with a trailer. Now they are all over. :cry:
Author:  kd4pbs [ Wed Sep 18, 2013 4:30 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Vista 268 - newbie!
zeberifo1 wrote:
So,...why do you say that? :wink:

Because although mine has no generator, radar arch, or windlass, I paid less. A bunch less.
But yeah, I got a deal... :)
It's still a great boat for that price, don't get me wrong :)
Author:  nathan [ Thu Sep 19, 2013 10:12 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Vista 268 - newbie!
the ones without arches are less. I like the arch as it makes the top more stable with riding and also allows a nice place to add speakers. gen is nice and depends on where you boa t or if you stay on it but the windlass is a must. first boat i have owned with one and it is great for coving. I always feel for the guys that need to pull the anchor and then clean it to put it away before leaving. We tie up with alot of go fast boats and they hate to throw an anchor.
Author:  zeberifo1 [ Fri Sep 20, 2013 12:06 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Vista 268 - newbie!
Counter-counter-offer accepted!
Whoo hoo!

Now for the survey, mechanical check and sea trial!
Author:  kd4pbs [ Fri Sep 20, 2013 3:28 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Vista 268 - newbie!
nathan wrote:
the ones without arches are less. I like the arch as it makes the top more stable with riding and also allows a nice place to add speakers. gen is nice and depends on where you boa t or if you stay on it but the windlass is a must. first boat i have owned with one and it is great for coving. I always feel for the guys that need to pull the anchor and then clean it to put it away before leaving. We tie up with alot of go fast boats and they hate to throw an anchor.

The Yamaha EF2000iS works great, and I have a windlass waiting for down time for installation.
Personally, I'm glad it has no arch. It adds to the coolness factor with mounting options for speakers, lighting, and radar, but I'd have to drop it down to get it in the garage each time.
This sounds like a sweet boat though, and at a great price! I hope the survey goes good! Good luck!
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