www.iFourWinns.com

Hi Guys,

I am new to the forum and considering the purchase of a 248 Vista. I have found some good deals on 2002-2004's ranging from $28-$34k and have the following questions:

Were there significant model year changes during it's run? Any better year?

Is the 5.0 GI power plant reliable (albeit slow) and efficient?

What are fair prices for 248's in todays market with and without trailers?

Any common trouble spots that I should have the surveyor look twice at?

Any tips on how and where to find a nice 248 in the NE would be greatly appreciated.

Thank you in advance,

David

Like buying any used boat, your experience (good or bad) will depend on how well the previous owner(s) cared for it.

I purchased a 2003 248 6 weeks ago. I am no 'mechanical god', but I can hold my own. I can tell you this: you will not be able to ask enough questions or anticipate all of the issues you will have. Just cover the basics:

1) Obtain any/all maintenance logs/receipts.
2) Try to get the name of the technician that actually worked on the boat (winterizing, etc).
3) Get the HID and call Four Winns. Have them tell you of any/all options or special order items they put on the boat.
4) Don't be afraid to get your hands dirty. If you don't like working up a sweat while exploring/researching different issues, then boat ownership isn't for you unless you have a butt-load of cash ... I'm assuming you don't or you'd likely be looking at a larger boat than a 248.
5) CHECK, DOUBLE CHECK, TRIPLE CHECK the trailer hubs BEFORE pulling this boat anywhere. I've spent some time on the side of the road with fried bearings. It's not fun.
6) Remember that the front of this boat acts like a sail in a cross wind. It can get away from you in a hurry. So, make sure to have plenty of good, strategically place bumpers.
7) Buy good line to tie up with. 1/2" Nylon.
Make sure to have plenty of anchor rope length. It can save your life and your boat if you have engine troubles.

Mechanically speaking, check for leaks around the outdrive, water collection in the bilge and its source, make sure the bilge pump and sump pump work.

The 5.0 is plenty of power for this boat in my opinion. You shouldn't purchase cruisers to go fast anyway.

I paid 35k for my 2003 248 with trailer, A/C, TV-DVD, 140 engine hours, fresh water.

Try not to stress out. It's easier said than done.

Craig C.

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2003 Vista 248, VP 5.0 GXi-C, DP

45K and you can have my 06....

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Brett DiMichele

I just bought a 2003 268 with a trailer for $32,000.00 it is in mint condition and very well equiped with 60 hours on it. I had to find this one in another state and drive for several hours but it was well worth it. Now is the time to buy a boat as it is clearly a buyers market. I would get a survey on the boat. It may cost you a few hundred dollars but it will be worth every penny of it.

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2003 268 Four Winns Vista
F-350 King Ranch Diesel (Tow)
1990 Four Winns Fredom 180

That's a great deal. Congrats!

Craig C.

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2003 Vista 248, VP 5.0 GXi-C, DP

Thanks Craig C. It was almost like a job looking for a nice boat for a good price. Most people did not want to accept the current market value, which I understand. I happened to get lucky enough to find this boat with an owner who said it must go. He did not have a loan on the boat and had another one that he used to go boating on. I can tell you that I love this website as it is extremely helpful to a new Vista Boat owner. I had a smaller Four Winns open bow boat and as you know the care and the operation of a large cruiser IS JUST NOT THE SAME.

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2003 268 Four Winns Vista
F-350 King Ranch Diesel (Tow)
1990 Four Winns Fredom 180

Just bought a 2000 248 vista, power wise I'm very happy, paid 26000, in Michigian 1 owner and all service records from four winns dealer. I think these bouats are an excellent value for your dollar. I travelled 6 hours to get this baby, well worth the trip!!

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


Mike

I bought a 2001 248 over the winter for $30K with the trailer. I am not very handy and have done some small projects, but kept the same mechanic. So far, other than beginning of the season preventative stuff I have had absolutely no problems and am very happy with my choice. Have fun.

The deals are out there, thats for sure. I just picked up an '04 268, everything but arch, including magma grill and all accessories for 41k.

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

A performance test of the 248 that paints a slightly different picture.
Some good info in the article.

http://features.boats.com/boat-content/ ... 248-vista/

I would say the 5.0L is adequate for this boat, and should be fine for most of your boating.
Here is a 2000 repo w/o trailer and 5.7L for 18K that might be worth a look.
http://www.buyusedboatsforsale.com/boat ... -8168.html

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One of 4 Previous (Sold) Boats:
2000 Four Winns 268 Vista

Current Boat: 2004 Chaparral 235 ssi cuddy

Everyone is allowed an opinion, I guess. As an owner of the 5.0 ... I stand by my original statement.

In this article, the difference between the base 5.7 @ 280 and the 5.0 @ 270 is 10 whopping hp. A $1200.00 upgrade for 10 hp and even *less* room to work in the bilge? Might be worth the upgrade to some folks (like the salesman for instance) ... but not to me.

Now, upgrading to the 320hp might be worth some discussion ... but again, it depends on what your target use is. If I wanted to haul hiney, I would not have purchased a cruiser.

Craig C.

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2003 Vista 248, VP 5.0 GXi-C, DP

Try maintining a steady heading and speed in a 4 to 5 foot following sea with the 5.0L, it will have to work very hard to maintain course and speed. But I suspect those conditions will not present themselves on inland lakes in Texas very often. They certainly would on the Great Lakes.

So, the intended use of the boat, and area of boating of the OP will determine more than an opinion or boat review article, if the 5.0L is adequate for his needs.

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One of 4 Previous (Sold) Boats:
2000 Four Winns 268 Vista

Current Boat: 2004 Chaparral 235 ssi cuddy

Understood. But that wasn't the OP's question. He asked about the reliability and efficiency of the 5.0. Since I am a new owner of this boat, I cannot comment with any degree of accuracy about the reliability and since I have only put 1/2 tank through it, I can't really comment on the efficiency. I did, however state my *opinion* of the power, since I am very happy with it.

Regarding your example of the power of the 5.0 in 4 to 5 foot following ... you honestly believe that the extra 10hp of the base 5.7 is going to make a difference? Granted, my mechanical background is automotive ... but this argument just doesn't 'hold water'.

Frankly, I wouldn't be in a 248 in 4 to 5 foot swells, regardless of the power plant.

Craig C.

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2003 Vista 248, VP 5.0 GXi-C, DP

Yes...it will make quite a big of difference. It is not about the HP but about the low end torque...5.7 has a lot more than the 5.0. Traveling in a 5' following sea is a blast. No pounding at all. Up and down with lots of bow burying and spray.

It's difficult to find the exact specs in the GM manuals I have (I work on Dodge's (mostly Cummins) in my spare time), but the difference in torque between a 5.0/305 (which is basically a smaller bore 350) and the 5.7/350 is around 50-60 lb/ft ... give or take. I still maintain that the base 5.7 (280 hp) upgrade is not worth $1200.00 more. Especially since ... dollar for dollar ... the 350 is actually cheaper to build when compared to the 305. Nevertheless, I'll let the argument die here.

As for the 5 foot following ... the admiral doesn't handle rough seas well and I prefer not to have puke on the side of my boat.

Craig C.

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2003 Vista 248, VP 5.0 GXi-C, DP