www.iFourWinns.com

What do you guys think of this boat?

http://s245.photobucket.com/albums/gg44 ... =slideshow

Hats off to BHurley for taking the time out of his busy schedule to go check out this boat for me. It's an '06 278. I believe it has the Ocean Series drive, maybe Jnizi can confirm? It looks like closed cooling also. Its a salty/brackish boat. We'll be using it in Indiana. I don't think it looks that bad, 39hrs, and an '07 trailer. No AC or genny....

Whats everyones thoughts on this?

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

I'm impressed!!! There's many things to consider and that's better left to some of these cruiser guys. Good luck on your search!!!

Hey if you are not going to buy mine this is the next best thing

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2001 Sundowner 235

You're comprising your list on two major components! You're rushing to spend your hard earned money and that will bite you in the A$$ later! The boat is beautiful but no AC is a large compromise and even the genny it was pretty much decided that you should look for a built in unit! You had boats with everything you wanted in the 40K range so unless this boat is leess than 30K it's really not a deal since you will always regret not getting AC or Genny. It's much cheaper to keep looking now than to sell this boat next year and look for the "right" one.

I say you keep looking... something will come up.

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Marc, Kathlin & Nathalie


'89 Chaparral Laser 32

'93 Vista 245, 5.8L w/ King Cobra

Former Boats
'01 H260, 7.4 VP Duoprop
'98 H200, 5.0 GL w/VP SX drive

We will only go after a good boat, at the right price. We now know this is a "good" boat, but taking into account the AC and the genny. I can get the factory air/heat installed for 3k. This one also has an '07 FW trailer with it. No genny, but I've stated my thoughts on that in another thread. I'd love a built in, but if it breaks, your out a LOT of cash. From my understanding, the EU2000i will run it all. I'm sure others will chime in about that.

I like the fact that the boat is the new style, 278, which will help down the road with resale. It has an arch, and a trailer, and appears to be in good shape. Only 39hrs as well. It does have a windlass .

I'm talking to the broker in the AM, if we can hammer out a good deal, we might go for it.

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

definitely like the blue hull but i'm partial to mine! do u really want to spend $3K on AC? u might be better off to wait - the market is going to get better for buyers.

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2006 348 Vista
"some days you're the bug and some days you're the windshield"

Thats what we've heard, but my wife and I don't agree. Good, clean, used boats are getting hard to come by. If your looking for a repo, there are plenty to be had. I sold my boat for what I was asking, but it was in great shape, and one of the few on the market. Two of the boats we had been considering over the past few months have sold....granted thats not a lot, but we are only considering a handful of boats. People are coming down on prices a LOT on cruisers....

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

Nice boat....

Here are my $.02 since you asked........

I need A/C to be able to stay inside my cabin during the summer. For me this is non negotiable. Others here may feel different but where I live it get HOT and HUMID! I personally would not bend on this. If you do go with this boat make sure you have enough money leftover to drop one in. Its actually not to difficult to do and is documented on this site.

Genny...as you might be aware I have told u in other post the EU2000 is a beast and will power all your needs. Would I love a built in? Sure! But the fact is when I got my 248 it wasn't something I could afford. However it is the next best thing to a built in. It consumes less gas and you could use it around the house should u need it. I would never consider putting one in aftermarket. The amount of the investment just wouldn't make sense for boats of this size.

If the boat has a FW trailer and has been used in saltwater inspect it very carefully. I have read post about their trailer not doing well in saltwater.

Other than that I think she looks great.

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Walter

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

Looks like a very nice boat...

It looks like it's fairly well optioned up
-windlass
-bow pads
-color band hull
-5.7 OSXI (yes, freshwater cooled, neutra salt, and ocean drives - duoprop)
-LCD TV
-TRAILER!
-Raymarine GPS


The stuff you really did want:
-Clarion Radio
-Radar arch
-TRAILER!


I guess I would ask:

1) What is wrong with this boat? What is dirty or busted? 39 hours on a 2006 is not always a good thing - it means it's been sitting and thus weathering,molding, and rusting?

2)Such low hours in brackish water - is it bottom painted? Has it just been sitting in the water or was it stored on the trailer when not used?

3)I heard a while back that the Ocean drives had some internal corrosion issues? Is there a recall issued or a way to check and see if there are any internal issues? Also remember that if you do hit something with those ocean drives - it's a full case replacement because it's plastic... it can't be 'bent back' or 'patched & painted'.


4) where you are - heat/ac is a MUST have. just make sure you figure that into the 'price'.

5) What's the deal look like? You can buy new for 60-65k. I would put this boat at 45-50k given current market conditions.

Maybe Brett will sell you his generator????? Although the built in generator for a 278 would be an amazing addition - I just don't think it's a pri 1. On days where you are 'day boating' --- you don't need to bring it along... On days of overnighting -- that's when you bring it. Plus, the portability of a generator is kind of nice to have around the house once in a while.

I say go for it. If it's low hours, great shape, price is right, and you get heat/ac added in -- it's a winner.

You may wish you had a built in generator, but by the time you wish that, you'll also wish you had another 4 feet and twin engines.

I would also make sure you have a GOOD dealer give it a full inspection in the drive systems as well as the other systems -- water, electrical, plumbing, etc.

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2008 318 Vista -SOLD, but I am still around!
All Night Long, Seattle WA

Aside from what we all tell you.... I think most will agree to go with the gut.

I think the boat warrants a viewing if you can get the numbers where you want them.

When you see it... and your gut says 'holy fricking cow this boat is un-fricking-believable' - then you will know it's right.

Stick to your budget.. and make sure you get that heat/ac as well as a full service/inspection into the mix there. Be honest with the broker... and it is what it is.

Who are you thinking of having do the heat/AC? I know BHurley has a great relationship with his dealer... and there is Winnisquam. You are right up there in the right spot!

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2008 318 Vista -SOLD, but I am still around!
All Night Long, Seattle WA

Thanks for the reply. What we are trying to figure out right now, is of these 3 boats we are considering, that range from an '02 with 350hrs, but with an 8.1/arch/gen/ac, is it worth it to go that old to save a bit of cash, and gain all those options, but risk more repairs? There is a boat in the middle, that costs above that, but below this, but with a ac/gen. I should be able to snag this '06 for not much more than that....

Either way, it'll get a full survey.

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

The boat in the middle with AC and gen sounds like the way to go IMHO.

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Walter

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

BHurley hooked me up with someone, he has used him in the past. Bills dealer is fantastic from my dealings with them so far . I've got quite a list of questions to be answered tomorrow, and then we work on getting the numbers to line up. I've got a shipper lined up for under $900, pulling it back on its trailer.

I'll update this more tomorrow, in the meantime, give me your thoughts on this boat!!!

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

That is an option I'm looking at in the AM. We had a deal on that boat, that fell through when my buyer backed out a few months ago. Now she's sticking to her full asking price. If I can hammer a deal out, we'll go that way....

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

If you can get the 2006 for 45k (with trailer) and then another 3k for heat/ac... versus the 2004 268 with a generator (but no arch) for 40k... Does that include a trailer?

As for the generator... I wouldn't blink twice about starting out with the Honda... if you really find yourself needing that built in - it CAN be added in. Pull the motor when you are having the drive pulled at some point... and toss it in there. (I'm sure it's not that easy).

Arch vs generator... 2004 versus 2006... trailer vs no trailer?? low hours versus more hours?

If the price difference really ends up being 5k - it's crazy to not get the 2006. Just think of the resale on the 2006. But, if the difference is 10-15k... then that gets a little 'gray area'.

just my .02.

I think that 2006 is a great option if the price is right and you get heat/ac on it...

the 2004 is a great deal for the genset if the owner will go down to 40k...

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2008 318 Vista -SOLD, but I am still around!
All Night Long, Seattle WA