www.iFourWinns.com

A guy at my club has a 1996 Vista 238 that he is rumored to want to sell. It is super clean, with the cockpit interior having been re-done by him last year. It has the 5.8 FI and is just an all around nice boat (its even the same color as my SD!). I like the mid 90's FW's especially the "baby" Vista's. My question is, what do you guys like/dislike about your Vista's? Is it worth the move up from my Sundowner? I haven't talked to him lately, so I'm just trollin' for some info at this point. Thanks...

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1996 205 Sundowner DLX
5.0FL Volvo SX Cobra
Tow Veh: 2012 Nissan Frontier Pro-4X

I realize its not exactly what you are looking at, but I have a 93 Vista 245. After some cosmetic and other normal upgrades ( chartplotter, stereo, tv/dvd etc) it has worked very well for us. The cabin is a refuge for the kids (6 and 8 years old) in both warm and cold weather. We can easily overnight with plenty of room. Its big enough to take the 3 guys fishing but small enough to launch/retrieve on my own. Drawbacks? Its a heavy s.o.b and I needed to get a diesel to tow it. The OMC king Cobra parts debacle is irritating. A water impeller is $99. All in all it was a good match for us and I would do it again.

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-Todd

1993 Vista 245
351 CID, OMC King Cobra

Niagara,

So far I love my Vista, I look everyday at boat on craigslist (primarily because I have a serious boat porn problem) and in the 2 years I have owned my baby I have yet to find a boat on there that I think would suit me better...granted I like the wave look of the 2001-2006 Vistas better...but not the price.

Complaints...the cabin is really just storage space (but lots of it!) for us. Found out wife gets seasick so she won't even go in it. The kids nap there (and so have I) but it is way too hot here during the summer, so we wish we had A/C and a generator. On colder water days..no one will get in the water so we spend a good deal of time motoring to a beach and staying there for the day to get off of that bow down to the beach I had to buy a rope ladder that ties to the cleat, not the best solution but it works.

I would buy her again in a second, trailering with my 4x4 1500 Ram is a breeze (and yes Ric so is stopping) I have had to drop her into 4x4 a couple times to pull her out on a slippery ramp, the Vista is heavy. I like being able to trailer her, I can get her in and out of the water by myself...of course it requires me getting in the water to winch her up, so if you are in a colder climate consider that.

So my wishlist to make my baby the perfect pocket cruiser;

A/C
Generator
Windlass
Extended Swim Platform
Front remote spotlight
More room on the deck (More than 4 gets a little crowded, but that's true with any smaller boat really)

Did I miss anything?

Feel free to ask any questions you have...I am a big fan of my Boat, love talking about her.

C

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Chris and Alicia
Las Vegas, NV
ALTIVA
1996 Four Winns 238 Vista Dlx 5.8Fi

Thanks for the input, but your negatives are the same ones I have that keep me from getting that year/ drive combo. I do like OMC, but parts is getting scarce.


After spending nights in the SD cuddy, I bet it would feel like a hotel suite.


How much does she weigh? My SD is at about 4500 with trailer and some gas/gear.

So far, I like your positives and some of your negatives might not apply where I am at (the heat for example). I really am wanting to move "up" and this seems like the right deal. I might even be able to trade him my SD for her, as I think the reason he is wanting to sell is to downsize to a smaller boat.

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1996 205 Sundowner DLX
5.0FL Volvo SX Cobra
Tow Veh: 2012 Nissan Frontier Pro-4X

You could easily add all these to your Vista.

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Walter

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

Yes, and I probably will...I didn't list anything that wasn't possible...that list would include dual engines and IPS and about 16 feet longer and 4 feet wider...etc..

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Chris and Alicia
Las Vegas, NV
ALTIVA
1996 Four Winns 238 Vista Dlx 5.8Fi

Wow that is my list!

I would also add an engine hatch that doesn't require me to take apart the U-seating to get to the engine.

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Walter

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

NC... I upgraded from a 205sd to my 238 and wouldn't have changed a thing.. I got very lucky that the guy I bought it from repowerd it in 06 with a New 5.0GXI and a new Duoprop drive.

Tows very easy and launching and retrieving is a breeze. Mine is great on fuel we cruise at 3000rpms at 26mph and it burns only 6 to 7 GPH.
She handles the rough stuff easily and I have taken her in 5 footers with no problems and no Vomit.

we have slept on her with 2 dogs and my 2 kids plenty of times but mostly like it with just the wife and doggies.lol

I took my a/c out (sold all componants back to prior owner for $500)and use the space for a great storage locker for floaties and the camper canvas.
I already got my swimplatform(best investment so far) but getting the new Yamaha EF2000i Generator this winter for next year. That way I wont have to run my engine to charge the batteries or to run the inverter for coffee.

Having a stand up head and a fridge is great.

As chris said plenty of cabin storage

I don't have many negatives cept for the gauge cluster...can't see gauges from standing up but you already have that problem

I love this boat

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"Changes In Latitudes, Changes In Attitudes "

1996 238 Vista dlx "Casper's Toy Too"
2006 5.0GXI w/closed cooling, DP-sm 1.95 drive
Previous boat:
1998 Sundowner 205

Allow me to weigh-in on the 238 V debate.......I bought mine in '08-a freshwater boat until then! I, too love it very much.....everything LVChris & neutron said goes for me too. Not too much NOT to like about it. Yes, the cabin is a bit "cozy" for sleeping 2 adults and 2 kids- but it is doable. My kids- 13 & 14 are getting bigger (as kids will do!) so my son sleeps in the cockpit U-lounge with the cushions- I have the camper canvas) I sleep in the mid cabin and wife and daughter sleep in the v-berth....a bit tight, but for a night at the slip it's ok. I don't have the extended swim platform just yet, but plan on adding it maybe next year as I had to replace that rusty Four Winns steel trailer this year, after 5 years in salt. Boat, motor (5.7 DP) fuel and gear weigh in at about 5k, trailer is 1148 for the steel FW, my new aluminum is about 100lbs lighter. I tow w/ an '01 Merc Mountaineer AWD V8 which has a 6500 lb tow rating! I only go 5 miles to the launch, and now that the boats in the slip I only tow 2x year.....no hills where I live, so it's ok......it is a heavy boat to tow/launch/retrieve, but if you have a good vehicle it should be no problem. I, like LVChris look at boats ALL THE TIME....there are lots of good deals out there, so good luck!

Steve

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"For My 50th"
1996 238 Vista
5.7VolvoGL DP
Previous boats; 91 Cobia 19' Cuddy, 87 Starcraft 16' BR,
67 Winner BR, 65 Arrow 14'

Thanks boater50, my Nissan also has a 6500 lb tow rating, so I would be right at max. I only tow about a mile to the ramp, so I could get away with it.

And thanks to everyone else for the advice, unfortunately, the guy I was gonna hopefully, maybe buy from pulled her outta the water and its in storage right now. He said he doesn't want to sell right now, but I should get ahold of him next spring

Oh well, maybe next year...

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1996 205 Sundowner DLX
5.0FL Volvo SX Cobra
Tow Veh: 2012 Nissan Frontier Pro-4X

Yup I tow mine with an 09 Tacoma with a stock tow rating of 6500(even though I added a TRD Supercharger, and exhaust) and I have no problems at all and its a 6 mile trip each way to the ramp.

biggest thing is to make sure you have great trailer brakes. makes a big difference.
I have the weight distributed perfectly so that when I slow down I feel the trailer braked start to work instantly. I replaced all my backing plates,harware, shoes etc.. this year

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"Changes In Latitudes, Changes In Attitudes "

1996 238 Vista dlx "Casper's Toy Too"
2006 5.0GXI w/closed cooling, DP-sm 1.95 drive
Previous boat:
1998 Sundowner 205

http://www.dolphinllc.net/brokerage.php ... view&id=42

check out this '99 238V!!!!!!

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"For My 50th"
1996 238 Vista
5.7VolvoGL DP
Previous boats; 91 Cobia 19' Cuddy, 87 Starcraft 16' BR,
67 Winner BR, 65 Arrow 14'

Looked like a good price, until I saw these pictures in the photo set. They forgot to take the "before" picture out.

Looks like a Hurricane Sandy boat or similar. Advertisement calls the cabin upholstery "well cared for" when obviously it must have been replaced.

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"Knot Easy" 2000 Horizon 240 Volvo 5.7GS /SX
tow: 2017 Honda PILOT EXL-AWD
prev. boats:
'87 Chaparral 198CXL 4.3 OMC Cobra
'69 Jetstar 16ft Ski Boat, 115hp Yamaha
'68 Aluminum Jon Boat, 3hp Sears
'64 Water Wings