www.iFourWinns.com

Hello fellow forumites I'm looking at this boat tomorrow.

http://www.boattrader.com/listing/2005- ... -102342701.


I'm seeking your wisdom regarding price, age, any problems associated with this particular model/year? It has SX drives w twin volvo 270 hp GXI s.
I've had a 248 before so I'm fairly familiar with systems and such, but I'm planning on keeping her in salt water eventually, something new to me!
I've read in earlier posts of problems with paint in the fuel system and such, and with the XDP drives.
Any input woud be greatly appreciated.
Thanks

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2011 Bennington 2075 GLi
2012 Key West 211 DC
2005 Four winns 180 Horizon LE
1997 Horizon QXsold
2000 248 Vistasold
2002 Key West 2020WA sold

I personally would not buy a boat without the duo prop drives, but that being said just make sure you are satisfied with the performance coming out of the hole it may be a little sluggish with the sx drives

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


Mike

my 248 had the duo prop I did like the performance. My friend has a horizon 200 with the SX and seems to be pretty peppy. I would guess on the plus side I've seen these boats with twin 4.3s. I would guess with twin v8s it would have plenty of power???
On the plus side if you are unlucky enough to hit ground you only wack one prop vs 2.

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2011 Bennington 2075 GLi
2012 Key West 211 DC
2005 Four winns 180 Horizon LE
1997 Horizon QXsold
2000 248 Vistasold
2002 Key West 2020WA sold

My slip neighbour has an 02 298 with the 5.7 his duo props and has never complained of the performance. He always has 4 adults aboard and more wine and beer on board than I consume in a season. I don't think you would notice performance issues with the extra 20hp from the gxi's

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


Mike

I went from 248 to 288. My 288 has SX drives and it's great, 6 on board with plenty of gear and she goes great. Much more space. I like the ease of handling with the twins. I think the SX gives a better top speed, less drag. The DP was nice on the 248 because it improved handling by eliminating the torque effect of the single prop. No factor on twins as they counter rotate. As with any purchase, the devil is in the detail, seeing as you are familiar with cruisers, you'll know what to look for. I am very pleased with my 288. There are some nicereviews on the 288. Good luck.

I'm glad to hear that you are pleased with the boat overall. What volvos do u have on her? Any fuel problems? The boat I'm looking at doesn't have a genny, as I head others on here it's just something else to maintain, I would rather strap a Honda 2000 out there if I really needed one.
Are you in fresh or salt? Any salties out there care to chime in? I'm wondering that with the proper mx schedule w outdrives if it's a big deal with corrosion both externally and internally with the engines.
We call it p factor in aviation, but thanks for pointing that out in regards to the DP!

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2011 Bennington 2075 GLi
2012 Key West 211 DC
2005 Four winns 180 Horizon LE
1997 Horizon QXsold
2000 248 Vistasold
2002 Key West 2020WA sold

Me and the mrs looked at the boat today during this lovely weather. I wanted to see it in the water as its being taken out tomorrow for the season. Promised her lunch at wahlburgers. Lol
Overall it was in good condition a few scratches here and a few tears there, but very good for an almost 10 year old boat.
Is it normal to leave the heat or a/c on all of the time? I may be a bit anal according to some people "like the mrs" but the boat had some water in the bilge, albeit we just had a nor'easter. I for one like my bilges totally dry, I have a pump attached to my power drill to evacuate the water and towel dry. I'm under the assumption that less moisture in the engine compartment is better than the alternative. no? Less mold and so on?
How is the price?, I feel as though it's a buyers market especially when I see these boats sitting a while on the market.

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2011 Bennington 2075 GLi
2012 Key West 211 DC
2005 Four winns 180 Horizon LE
1997 Horizon QXsold
2000 248 Vistasold
2002 Key West 2020WA sold

Water in the bilge could be from the AC unit if the condensate drains into it. I can't speak to it we are in a covered slip but I don't believe any camper canvas top will keep 100% of a good rain out. We are not allowed to keep our AC running while not at the boat, also if the hose ever split on the pump you could pump a ton of water into the boat in a hurry

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


Mike

Mine has 5.0 Gxis. No fuel issues. I have a generator. It's nice, but a pain to maintain. I had to replace a connector and repair the water pump 2 months ago, it was an ordeal of note. My 248 did not have a generator and I was exited to buy a boat with one. The only nice thing is that my wife can warm up milk for my toddler when we're away from shore power. So I start the generator to run a microwave for 2 minutes, crazy. On two occasions I ran it to cool the cabin in 90+ degrees, which was nice for wife and 2 small children, however the $20 12V fan does a great job too. I am in fresh water, so no major corrosion to deal with. With 6 passengers and 50% fuel and full water I get on plane in 6 seconds and have top speed of about 43 mph. With only me on board and clean hull I have reached 49 mph. Love the sound of the twins. What don't I like about the boat? It's tough to work on the engines and the components behind the engines. Wiring could have been done neater, looks like a spiders web behind the steering consol, maybe that's standard for boats in general.

That's good to know! So how do you keep the cabin dry all summer without running the ac constantly?

I always had some rain water get into the bilge on my 248. I didn't want it to sit as after a while stagnant water starts to smell! Plus the moisture in the engine compartment....

_________________
2011 Bennington 2075 GLi
2012 Key West 211 DC
2005 Four winns 180 Horizon LE
1997 Horizon QXsold
2000 248 Vistasold
2002 Key West 2020WA sold

I can just imagine with all of those gauges the wires behind the instrument cluster must be very tightly packed! I would guess the bigger the boat and more complex systems=bigger nightmare wire clusters.
So it seems like the boat will definitely get out of its own way, plenty of power and thrust.
I take it that you don't have bottom paint keeping it in fresh water? As you said a clean hull?
I would have thought it would be easier to work on than a 248 as the engine compartment has an electric hatch that is much easier access that the 248?

_________________
2011 Bennington 2075 GLi
2012 Key West 211 DC
2005 Four winns 180 Horizon LE
1997 Horizon QXsold
2000 248 Vistasold
2002 Key West 2020WA sold

Boat looks good in the pics. I leave my A/C on dehumidify mode when we are away, it kicks on every twelve hours for fifteen minutes or so.

The water in the bilge may be rainwater. I had an issue with rainwater getting in and since I found the source and addressed it...bone dry, almost arid down there!

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2007 358 T-5.7GXi IB
Previous Boats
'08 H240, '08 V318, '04 268, '04 225

So you feel comfortable leaving the ac on while u are away? I'm just trying to get different opinions/ideas, as others are afraid of flooding if the hose breaks.

I'm pretty sure it was rainwater as there was a nor'easter the night prior. All hatches and windows looked pretty tight too. I also liked the all white hull...no fading! I'll probably make a move on it in the spring and get a survey then after winter just to make sure it was properly winterized If it's still up for sale. Now it's just convincing the bride to get a 3rd boat.

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2011 Bennington 2075 GLi
2012 Key West 211 DC
2005 Four winns 180 Horizon LE
1997 Horizon QXsold
2000 248 Vistasold
2002 Key West 2020WA sold

I live two hours away from my boat, and sleep just fine at night. It's not on, in the normal sense. It doesn't maintain temperature. Just kicks the fan on to move some air around. If you leave it off, you still have to go and close the seacock and reopen it when you get back to the boat. My hoses are in good shape and I carry insurance for that reason. A few boats on my dock who's owners live closer, keep the A/C on full time.

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2007 358 T-5.7GXi IB
Previous Boats
'08 H240, '08 V318, '04 268, '04 225

Number one point:
If it has the XPD composite drives, forget it. They are trouble and discontinued.
If it has the SX drive, then fine, they are very good.
Salt water.
Well here's my take on it. I have found that in my area, the available anti fouling paints do not work well. If you left it in from May to Oct you'd have a ton of growth on the drive and transom. Eventually you get barnacles in the water intakes that causes mild to moderate overheating. If the anti fouling paints work in your region, then its do-able. For me I have taken to pulling the boat in early August, cleaning the drive, cleaning out the water intakes and re-painting the drive. Its much easier this way.

If you are in a marina, corrosion from stray currents can be a problem. I keep mine on a rotating mooring and have not had big problems with corrosion, esp for the advanced age of the boat. I do advise extra careful maintenance. As in:
Careful monitoring of the exhaust system, figure on replacing manifolds and risers every 5-7 years. If you see rust stains on the outside of that joint, then figure it could be leaking inside and you need to take a look.
The drive should be pulled each fall and all the maintenance has to be done. Bellows checked for water, gimble and ujoints greased, driveshaft greased.
Winterizing: if raw water cooled in salt water you should be manually draining and then back filling the engine and manifolds with the best -100 antifreeze.

I have done this for years and have not had major problems. But keep in mind an I/O power package is high maintenance in salt water vs straight inboards/v-drives or outboards.

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88 Four Winns 200 Horizon
4.3 OMC Cobra-4bbl
2002 Walker Bay 10/2012 Suzuki 2.5
2008 Walker Bay 8

1998 Jeep Grand Cherokee 4.0/Selectrac
2007 Jeep Grand Cherokee 5.7 Hemi/Quadradrive II