www.iFourWinns.com

We have had a FW openbow for over 10 years and are looking to move up. Boat will be kept at a dock in West Michigan as I own the dock. We have looked at 238,258 and 268. My wife like the 258 or 268 better as the rear seating is much better than the 238. Years on the boats are all 2000-2003. 300-500 hours on the engine and asking price for the three are about the same. The 258 and 268 are with brokers and they have told me the owner want to sell...make offer. So I think the bigger boats could be bought for less as they have been for sale for over 1 year and most likely will not sell over the winter. One of the brokers told me the owner would take $20K and its listed for $28k...any ideas from you guys.

I would have a survey and mech inspection done on any of the boats. One issue I have is the 268 just looks huge.

Please send comments and this is my first post.

It really depends on how you want to use the boat. If its just going to be a larger day boat then any of them would fit the bill nicely. I would go with the newest and best shape one.

If you plan on overnighting and staying at marina's ect, I would be looking at the 268 for sure. It has the most room, and most storage of the others hands down, that is assuming it is in good shape. There are alot of them on the market if not.

Im assuming the 258 your looking at is a '99, because I dont see one on the FW site that was built in '00, - '03. They didnt come back until '06. Just FYI on that

As far as the 268 looking huge, I hear you. I felt that way when we bought ours, after a few years we started wishing for more room, and went up to the 318. I felt the same about that, in fact almost didnt buy it becuase I thought it was to big for us. Now we are on the hunt again for a larger boat. My point is you will get used to it quickly.

Based on the above, I would suggest to you to look at bigger boats too, as a wise forum member has suggested to me. Save yourself the selling and repurchasing step that is only ineviable if you stay in boating.

Good luck on whatever way you go.

_________________
Jeff

'14 Cruisers 380 Express "Simon Sez"
Merc 8.2 Mag MPI 380
DTS B3X, (x2) Axius Premier


(SOLD)
'08 V318
Merc 350 Mag MPI 300
DTS Seacore, B3 (x2)

There really isn't much overall size difference from the 258 and 268. Actually if they don't have any extended platform from what I found the 268 is 25'8" and the 258 is 26', maybe depends on years for the sizes. BUT they do have different layouts. We have a 258 and a few docks away there is a 268. I have never been inside but the cockpit is different. Depends on which you like and which is in better shape as Jeff stated.

Also, check which engine configuration is better. If one has DP's or a larger engine. I think ours is borderline power wise. We have a 300hp DP and fully loaded it takes time to get on plane. I would think the same setup in a 268 could be under powered if it weighs more(depends on configuration according to the manuals).

Good luck with any decision you make. Take your time and have fun. It very exciting looking for a new boat.

BTW. I don't know if it is just what I am looking at for brands but it seems these size boats are disappearing from the new boat market. Lots of brands seem to have dropped the 24-26 foot range and start at about 27-28 feet.

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--2002 3880 Regal Flybridge | Twin Merc 8.1HO **Seven**
--2003 AB 13 VST Console Inflatable | Tohatsu 40hp TLDI **Phish'n ski**
--310 Mercury Inflatable | 1982 9.9 Johnson

We just bought a 268 in West Michigan this past Sept.

We actually think the cockpit is a bit cramped but I'm sure we'll get used to it.
We'll be slipping in downtown Saugatuck next season.

This is our first boat ever and after about 4-5 tries and ideal conditions, I was very successful at docking her into the slip. The 268 with a duoprop handles very nicely. We've got the 280HP volvo and it seems plenty for me at this time. If I wanted a raceboat, I would've bought one.

Yes, get the survey and an engine check.
The $500 survey paid for itself with repairs requested upon closing. I brought the surveyor along on the sea-trial since I didn't know anything about boats at the time. This added $100 to the survey but was worth it in my mind.

We also have the A/C, generator, windlass, trailer, and radar arch.

I've been nothing but amazed at the assistance the broker has provided to us (being new boat owners).
If I hadn't known better, I would've thought we were paying him (maybe in a way we did!)!

It was important to us having the option to trailer.
The 268 seems to be about the limit that a newbie may want to trailer. Watching the broker load out the 268 a week ago didn't seem too complicated and he moved it a few miles with a 4x4 F150.

Let me know if you have any other questions.

Welcome aboard!

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2002 Four Winns 268
Saugatuck, MI

Stew,
Welcome to the forum!! The other guys have summed it up well and if you can pick up a 258 or 268 in the 20-28k range I think you're getting a whole lot of boat for the money. We boat on Lake Michigan with a 268 and we are so happy with it I can honestly say we have cured the 2footitis we used to suffer from.

I had to laugh when you said the 268 looks huge because we felt the same way, but I'll say it does shrink to a manageable size once you add water and spend a little time on it. Just curious do you plan to tow it? The reason I ask is ours didn't come with a trailer and I didn't care thinking there was no way in heck I would ever tow something so big....now we tow all over the place and I couldn't imaging having a cruiser without a trailer. If you don't plan to tow any distance it's still nice to not be at the mercy of a boat yard...something to think about when comparing different boats.


Just curious..South Haven?

If you have any questions please don't hesitate to ask!

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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"

Thanks to all for input. We are looking at another 268 on Friday. All of the vessels we have looked at so far have a trailer included in the sale, however I do not have a truck and may have to buy one(Lease on my current car is up 2/2015). I was thinking next year I would just boat up to Grand Haven at the end of the season and store the boat at North Shore in heated storage. I have not checked out any storage options in Holland.

We are at Port Sheldon and its only a few miles from home and right next to work so the location is nice for us as Grand Haven and Holland close.

Bliss-I like your fuel flow install-nice to have a go idea on what you are using.

Welcome skipper....

I have a 248 and love it...I would really, really love it if it were at least 4 foot bigger! I'd suggest purchasing the boat you are most comfortable with. Size does matter in this case!

_________________
-Tony
2016 Robalo R200 w/Yahama 200!

Previous boats:
2003 Four Winns 248 Vista - sold
1994 Sunbird Corsair 200 - sold
1980 Checkmate Predictor - sold

Welcome! You definitely came to the right place to ask questions. This forum has been very helpful. We purchased our 2001 268 back in March (made the jump from a 24' Bayliner) and couldn't be happier. The 280hp Volvo puts out plenty of power (maxed out at 41.7mph on the gps) and the layout is nice. When I found it, it was on the trailer and it looked really big, but I got used to it pretty quickly. It does have a decent amount of freeboard at the bow so if you back into your slip with a nice crosswind, plan accordingly. Other than that, have fun looking!

_________________
Jon

2001 268 Vista w/arch
2017 GMC 1500 Denali

Made an offer on a 258 on Saturday...told broker needs to happed this week as boat is being winterized by Friday and I need to get a survey done first. The waiting begins.

larger seems to be better always until you start thinking of the costs involved w/ maintanence.

my 238 looks huge on the trailer then on the water i start thinking of going larger.

i have my boat hauled by uship from my home to the water for the season. very reasonable for my money. then rack store or kept on the trailer & launched when i need the boat. i find this less expensive way to go considering my usage & no need for a truck just to haul the boat around town. keeps the hull cleaner & now worries w/ boat covering & rain water,

larger seems to be better always until you start thinking of the costs involved w/ maintanence.

my 238 looks huge on the trailer then on the water i start thinking of going larger.

i have my boat hauled by uship from my home to the water for the season. very reasonable for my money. then rack store or kept on the trailer & launched when i need the boat. i find this less expensive way to go considering my usage & no need for a truck just to haul the boat around town. keeps the hull cleaner & now worries w/ boat covering & rain water,

Stew, I have a 2006 258 that I might be interested in selling. I've kept it in great shape and it has lots of upgrades. It is one of the few boats in that size that has a generator (Westerbeke 3KW). PM me if you're interested.

_________________
2006 Vista 258
2007 Yukon Denali

Sunday Dinner,

You are welcome to e-mail me the details...but I'm expecting a counter offer tomorrow.

stewart7777@hotmail.com

Thanks,

Stew

+1

I thought it was just me.

_________________


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

All boats shrink when wet and grow again when you clean/wash/wax them!

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