www.iFourWinns.com

Just wrapped up the first weekend of Vista 298 ownership. Some initial thoughts...

- a 10,000 lb boat has twice the momentum of a 5,000 lb boat...good thing to keep in mind around the docks
- can't see that extended swim platform from the helm...don't ask how I learned that one
- trying to keep the engines in sync may drive me crazy
- different throttle feel from the old boat, had a little trouble finding neutral by feel on a couple of occassions
- seems a little twitchy at speed (need to get used to power steering maybe?)
- very, very stable (might contradict the above statement somewhat)....didn't even feel the wakes of other boats while on plane
- not a wet boat as many have said...hit some big wakes and no water came into the cockpit
- need to find somebody with experience on twins to teach me the ways around the docks (didn't hit anything, but could use some expert advice)
- overall we're very happy with it through weekend #1

Here she is all buttoned up and waiting for the forklift to take her to the rack for the week. Yes, our marina will rack store a boat with a LOA of 31'.

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'01 Vista 298

Try this. scroll down near the bottom of the page on the link. dusty miller he has aset of DVD's on power boat handleing. He is pretty good. Also offers private lessons on your own boat but he is nowhere near you!

http://www.discoverboating.ca/resources/specialoffers/default.aspx

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


Mike

Thanks. I'll check it out.

Next weekend I plan on having a buddy (twin I/O owner) on the boat with me to show me the ropes. The plan is to go out Friday afternoon to unlearn my single I/O knowledge and re-learn how to drive with twins. Then I'll take Sat morning and just putt around the docks...luckily there are some empty docks and slips right near our marina that I can use for practice. Figure if I get out early enough I can practice and get back to the home docks before the Labor Day crowd hits the water. And then of course we'll load the family on the boat and enjoy the weekend!

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'01 Vista 298

Had my boating lesson on Saturday morning during some pretty hard winds. It went really well and I feel like I learned a lot. Still need to just get out and practice, practice, practice. Came back today and it took me a couple of tries before a successful docking....I just need to get over that fear of bumping the dock. If it happens, it happens. That's what fenders are for.

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'01 Vista 298

My boat probably cost less than you paid in sales tax the the scratches still hurt none the less. I have a couple of them as well as a broken window to show for my learning curve on docking. It was really rough water that got me though.

I had to teach myself everything except the ways of the river. My nephew came along on my first time out to help with that part. He works the river barges so he was great for navigation, and an expert at tossing a dock rope on a cleat.

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1989 205 Sundowner
5.0 HO OMC Cobra

Capn Morgan gave me some good advice when I bought my boat. " Don't go into the dock at a greater speed than you would want to hit it". Otherwords, take it slow. I used to tell people to get the hell off of the dock here I come. After some practice it becomes easier. I am still trying to master docking in the wind. I good dock pole is a must!!

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

That's a good one

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Kevin
'06 V278
8.1 L Volvo
"Heart's Content II"