www.iFourWinns.com

Ok, less than one year of boat ownership and we're thinking of moving up to a cruiser. Funny thing is, our 245 is 2 feet bigger than we were looking for. We almost bought a Sea Ray 215 in summer '08. We ran across our boat by accident the next spring and it seemed huge compared to what we were looking for originally.

We keep the boat about 2.5 hours away from home, near the wife's family cottage. However, last year we stayed alot at a hotel due to various reasons, cottage wasn't always available. So we're thinking we could save money, er, spend less money by getting a bigger boat and spending the weekends aboard. We are a family of 4, two kids 7 and 5.

A 268 seems like a very easy move up. Slip and storage will be incrementally more costly but not too much more. A 288 or 298 would give us more room but I've got a lot of reservations. It seems really big to handle, I haven't priced it out yet but a slip and storage will probably cost a lot more. Plus twin engines means twice as much maintenance costs. The other thing that concerns me is lack of a trailer and having to have it hauled out to have maintenance done. I know I can't tow a 268 either but I think I know enough people with trucks big enough to get around that. Also, I think tow sports would be out of the question with a 288/298?

I know there are several of you out there that have moved from a cuddy to a 268. Anybody else went up bigger than that from something smaller?

We've looked at one 268 locally so far, but it was packed into a storage yard and the admiral couldn't climb around to and up inside it so I'm still not sure we could all survive an entire weekend on board. Our marina is really nice though with bath house that is nicer than at home. Plus a playground and pool for the kids.

We are thinking that AC/Heat will be a neccesity for comfortable sleeping. Some of the boats we've seen listed don't have it. Anybody priced having it installed?

Ok, I'm waiting to hear your input.

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Terry
Current: 07 Crownline 255 CCR cuddy - 350 Mag MPI/B3 "Casi Cielo"

Previous:97 245 Sundowner 5.7GI/SX

Tow vehicle: 1986 GMC 2500 Camper Special 454/TH400

We just jumped from a 190 Horizon to a 268 using some of the same financial logic. For us anything on a trailer means free winter storage, so going a little bigger 288/298 meant a big jump not only in storage fee's, but also a larger slip and higher maintenance! Thats not to mention the price difference between a 268 and a 288/298! Also if you're up the coast and have a problem you can limp/tow to a nearby marina, get a ride home ,and pick up your boat the following weekend on the trailer. That was a big deal to me because I don't want to be at the mercy of another mechanic

As far as having enough room for a family of four..I wouldn't think at ages 5 and 7 that would be a problem, but I'm sure someone else could give a better answer based on experience!

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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"

I think woggy718 had heat/ac installed on his 248 so check with him, but I seem to recall $7000 to get it done.

Fine a boat with everything on it, it'll be tough in Michigan though. A bunch of boats there were for sale last year when I was shopping. I took Cincy Aquaholics advice, and held out for one with the gen and everything. For the type of boating I do its a must. There is no use to having heat or ac if you can only use it at the dock. The coat between used boats with or without a gen is very minimal, plus everything is open to negotiation.

I went from a jetski that I had for 5 years, to a Sea Ray 185 for two years, to my Four Winns 225 Sundowner for a year, and now my 268. Two guys I routinly boat with also upgraded last year, one from a H260 to a Sea Ray 290, and another had an H200 and now has a 258.

Dollar for dollar you get your moneys worth of it it, you'll just have a lot more money tied up in boating.

There is an '03 268 at Halls, I'm pretty sure its still for sale. Pretty well loaded, no gen though, but it has been on the market a LONG time. 1+ years.

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

I actually downgraded this past summer from a 35 foot motoryacht aft cabin to a 298 vista. One thing I hated about the motoryacht is not enough outdoor seating. Make sure you look at not only what additional things you can do with a bigger boat but also what things may be limited with a bigger boat. The great thing about FW is their boats have great outdoor space, plus most of them can do watersports as well. I think a 268 would be more then capable for watersports depending on the motor, hell, I used to tow people on tubes on my motoryacht...didnt go too fast but the kids had a blast. I fly on my 298 now when towing a waterskiier or kneeboarder but I have the twin 350's. You can tow a 268 pretty easily depending on the vehicle. With all of the luxuries you describe at the marina would you consider rack storage? a 268 should be able to be rack stored I think? I could be wrong though, dont know much about it. I live in Cleveland and actually found more nicely found boats in Michigan then I did Cleveland, bought mine from a guy who had it on Lake St Clair. Boats in the Cleveland area were way overpriced, you can get some saltwater boats for a steal but I wouldnt recomend it.

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1999 298 Vista [color=#FF0000]Sold!!!
twin Volvo 5.7GXI

Woody: Pour you a beer, Mr. Peterson?
Norm: Alright, but stop me at one...make that one-thirty

One thing I would encourage you to reign in is your trepidation about operating a larger boat. It is something that most people get past very quickly. For me it was a much bigger adjustment from my 26' cruiser to my V358 than when I moved up from my 21 footer to the 260. But I spent time with a captain and lots of time around the docks before they filled up for the season. By the end of the first season I was completely comfortable. I know I'll be moving into an even bigger boat at some point and, while I know there will be a learning curve, I have no anxiety about making the move based on the inevitable adjustment to to handling the boat (the bigger boats get, in most cases, the easier they are to handle).

While it seems like you're keeping a careful eye to budget, as the cliche goes, buy the biggest boat you can afford that fits your needs. Everybody's experience, budget and needs will vary greatly, but my 260 - which seemed so huge the first few weeks I had it - got very small very quickly based on how I was starting to use it. Storage space, a premium on any boat, was a particular challenge on the 260 if I had just a couple of people traveling with me. Our overnight bags always sat out in the cockpit overnight. If you can make the numbers work on a slightly older but bigger boat and it will still serve your needs, I'd encourage you to at least look into it (and again, not let the perceived difficulty of operation hold you back).

I bought my 260 thinking I would still pull skiers. I did once. But that was never a big part of boating for me so it was easy to let go.

Having said all that, it is a great move to be making and you will enjoy all of the self-sufficiency that comes along with having a cruiser more than you can imagine. It will open up a world of possibilities with how you boat. I would also add that coming from a cuddy it may be less of an adjustment than were you coming from a bowrider or deck boat. Are there days I miss the ease of untying and shoving off without dealing with shore power, water hoses etc.? Sure. Would I trade that for the new adventures being in a cruiser have brought me (including the incredible eight day journey I once took in my 260)? Not for a second.

Good luck with the hunt and let us know how we can help

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Previously:
2008 V358/Volvo 5.7 GXi Inboards

We moved from a 23 foot cuddy to a 32 foot cruiser last March and have been very happy.
We had the cuddy for about a year and while we enjoyed it, it just wasnt big enough for what we wanted to do. It did not have shore power so we felt limited on the time we spent on her.

A couple of things we considered when looking:
a large swim platform this may not seem like a big deal but two people can comfortably sit on chairs on the platform, plus plenty of room for swimmers to dry off our hang out back there before entering the cocpit area.

A camper canvas and roomy cabin. We didn't like the angled canvas on the sea rays that eliminated the bench seat from being used if the canvas was up.
The 328 fit the bill for us and the one we found came with a genny. I was intimidated by the size at first, and getting used to twins took some time. The truth be told docking is still sometimes nerve racking becuase all of the vessels in my home port are stern in, no pressure there!

Good luck with your search and remember to sit and lay on anything in the cabin to make sure the boat fits you.

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Michael Bova


"Swept Aweigh"
2003 Four Winns 328 Vista

Previous Boat
2003 Crownline 230CCR

We went to a 268 Vista from a 21 foot cuddy for exactly the same reasons that you are contemplating. I was a bit intimidated by the size of the boat when I first drove it but that wore off within a couple of days. We have the AC/Heat in the cabin and consider it a must. We use a Honda 2 kW portable generator which powers the A/C but have never required to use the AC while out at anchor yet. We've done one week trips with our two kids who are 9 and 12 and as long as the kids stay out of the cabin while prepping dinner, the room is fine. The kids like to utilize the cushion on the top bow deck as well. The ability to be able to tow is a huge factor for us. This has opened up many more touring opportunities by being able to tow. By being able to tow the boat, you won't leave yourself vulnerable to questionable marina mechanics and you'll be able to pick and choose where to go. We've contemplated going bigger but the ability to tow the boat, cost of maintaining only one engine and layout of the boat has so far kept us from straying. The boat has the 5.7 Gxi engine and pulls 3 kids on our tube with no issues. We use it for skiing as well but normally have people drop a ski once they're up if they want to slalom. I don't think you'll regret getting one!

Arn

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Arn
2002 Vista 268
Ontario

I have to agree with sierra that you will never regret getting a boat that was slightly larger than you originally
planned. I basically went from a 20' key west 2020 WA to my 248 vista, I admit it was a bit of a learning curve,
a bit intimidating at first but 2 to 3 weeks into the season it seemed like I'de been doing it a while.

While there are pros and cons to smaller vs larger boats, the pros outweigh the cons when it comes to owning
a larger boat, especially if you plan on living on it for a weekend at a time.

As far as trailerability, I've seen some V288s for sale that come with trailers. I admit this will be a huge issue
when I upgrade someday soon as it opens up endless possibilities.

My boat is now on a lake, but someday when the kids are gone and we upgrade and keep the boat in the ocean
I want 2 engines for redundancy. I will not keep a boat in the ocean without 2 engines for this reason.

The V268 is a very nice and versitile vessel, but I would get the biggest boat that I could "reasonably"
afford, good luck.

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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

What ever you decide to do, get rid of your other boat first. Being a two boat owner is/was no fun.

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Current Boat: 2000 Four Winns 298 Vista
Previous Boat: 2000 Carver 406MY

Our first boat was/is a 268. When we bought it, we were a family of 4, now we are 6! It is a great boat and I know there are several here who tow it. I pay $160 to a guy who hauls it each way for me so it makes sense for us. We too use a Honda to power the AC. We will be looking to upgrade soon since we can only do it now with the little ones! I agree that you should by as big as you can afford. Can't go wrong with Four Winns!

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2005 Vista 268 "ALTEAN"

I also went from a 225 Sundowner to a 248. We spent a lot of time on our 225 but we now have to kids under 3 and we spend all the weekends on the boat. We do not anchor out overnight as I really don't feel comportable with 2 kids that young on the lake for the night. As for A/C it is very expensive to put in. The unit is approx 2000 and installing could be a challenge due to access to some areas in the boat.
I looked at the 268 that is at Hall's in MI last July, It is there on brokerage and I beleive the guy wants way too much for it.
Good luck on your search

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


Mike

I like the 268...but with two kids that boat is going to start to feel small real quick. Especially if you plan on using it as a weekend cottage. We has essentially the same size boat as the 268. When we had our first child I already thought it was too small. Since our family was not "set" yet we decided to downsize for now. Now that we have three kids...we are looking at buying a condo on the water as a weekend retreat instead of a cruiser. Good luck and have fun looking.



I like Halls. A good friend of mine is in sales there. But this unfortunately is the norm with a lot of their brokered boats. People are not realistic on what they are really worth so they sit, and sit and sit going unsold. They brokered my cruiser. First family that looked at it bought it. It was priced right. After we sold our cruiser I tried to buy a brokered boat off Halls. The one I was I knew was way overpriced...so I offered lower than asking but by no means insulting offer. The owner of the boat took offense and did not even counter. He was so offended that even if I wanted to, which I did not he was not going to accept another offer from me. My offer was decent...but people always think THEIR stuff is worth more than it is.

Why not look for a 89-92 FW Vista 325. they can be had very reasonably and they are v-drives so you don't have to worry about the "bad" outdrives (OMC). The savings on the purchase price can be used for storage and annual hauling.

Here's an example:
http://www.boattrader.com/listing/1993-Four-Winns-325-Express-Cruiser-96261834

May not be the prettiest but they are practical in meeting your needs.

BTW, This will be my final move eventually.

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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

I have found mermaid air out of Florida, you can add a unit for a 268 with all the assy for under $2k, that is just parts, not labor. But this is a task I would not hesitate to tackle.
We have a A/C unit, but it is only 5000 btu's, a little small for the hot summer night in the desert, up north will do just fine. I would like to upgrade to a 9000 btu.......$$$$$

The 248/268 are similar boats, I ski behind ours once in a while. You can still use a 30' cruiser for water sports, it is just how much gas you want to burn pulling the kids on the tube.
With gas prices now, I justified a 3 man PWC for our tow boat. 160 HP, and tows very well all day on 8 gallons of fuel.

Good luck with your search.

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

Thanks for all the input so far everybody. Work has been busy so I haven't had a chance to respond yet.

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Terry
Current: 07 Crownline 255 CCR cuddy - 350 Mag MPI/B3 "Casi Cielo"

Previous:97 245 Sundowner 5.7GI/SX

Tow vehicle: 1986 GMC 2500 Camper Special 454/TH400