www.iFourWinns.com

Got my eyes on 2 boats here in Texas (2003 Vista 298). One is gonna end up mine. Both are pretty much identically fitted out and powered ( Merc 5.0 magnums). Have seen one and done initial inspection, other will be this weekend. No ride just yet. Survey and ride planned. A few questions and advice solicited.

1. Both are priced at about $74K and appear to be low hour but clean. Good price?? IMHO a fair price is about 67-69. Am I off base here?

2. Any particular issues with this year and model I should be aware of?

3. Boat will be on Lake Texoma. Marina issues with either Grandpappy Point or HighPoint??

Getting excited and nevous both.

Great choice of boats! Pricing boats and figuring out what's fair is a shell game in some regards. Boat prices are so dependent on so many different things. You have to take into account everything from what the "book" says to overall condition and appearance to option packages to what the local market will bear and even what brands and types of boats the local market prefers. As a reference point for the pricing, there was a 2004 Vista 298 that sold locally about this time last year for around $68,000. The boat was in excellent condition and loaded minus a radar package. This boat had originally been listed at $84,000 and sat for over a year before the owner slashed the price. Once he did, it sold in a matter of weeks.

My wife and I bought a 2001 Vista 298 with just under 350 hours on the engines about 6 weeks ago and paid in the mid-40's for it...again, loaded with everything minus the radar package. We also lucked out to some extent...we found the boat within days of it hitting the market and the seller had just bought a Marquis yacht and wanted to unload his FW quickly. So back to your original question....I don't think you're off-base with an offer in the high $60Ks.

I haven't had any issues with ours though it's only been 6 weeks or so since we took ownership. The only negative comment I've heard on this model is that it can be a wet boat. I have taken some spray over the bow and into the face but that was during a small craft advisory in rough seas and a pretty good wind. Other than that, we've been nice and dry. We love ours. Best of luck with your shopping!

_________________
'01 Vista 298

I have a 2000 298 Vista and you need to check your top hatches to make sure they are not the original Lewmar Concept Hatches that came with the earlier model cruisers (maybe someone will verify this). If your 2003 298V does have the same brand/model hatches, you need to make sure they are operable because the parts are no longer available and they will eventually fail and run you around $400 a piece to replace. Also, the port windshield wiper is a poor design because if you have the walk through windshield open and accidentally turn on the wiper, it will strip the gears in the motor so be sure to check that.

Other than these two minor issues, I have not encountered any major flaws. I have owned my 298V for 10 years and it is a great boat. Good luck with the purchase.

_________________

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

Forgot about that port side wiper. If the wiper motor gears are stripped and the wiper is out of position the wiper motor will run regardless of the helm switch position (even though the wiper isn't moving). You have to manually reach over and park the wiper in it's normal stop position for the motor to shut off.

I guess the one other thing that comes to mind is that while the cockpit is self bailing, it's not the best self bailing design. The scuppers under the engine hatch are located on the forward edges vs. the rear edges so the majority of the water runs past the scuppers and down into the bilge. Not a big deal as long as your bilge pump is working....and if you get enough water down there for the bilge pump to kick on you probably have bigger problems

_________________
'01 Vista 298

Best of luck!

We drag our boat to Highport a few times a year. While I cannot verify it, I have been told that their restaurant sucks and so does the service....I have heard SO MANY bad reviews of it that I am scared to waste my money there. The good news is that Highport is VERY close to the North Islands (Party Beach), but also right across the channel from a stretch of very nice beaches that we use every time we are up there.

Good luck. I am sort of in the market for a 298 myself, but am feeling like I might pull the plug on a cruiser for a while.

....you must be looking at "Slow Dance" @ Cedar Mills?

_________________
Current Boat:
2004 Sea Ray 320 Sundancer "Nauti Luvin'"

Previous Boats:
1999 298 Vista "Seas The Day"
2008 H200SS "Nauti Luv"
2006 Tahoe Q4

Yep, she's the one. Got an appointment next Saturday to see her. Pics look good but she has been for sale for awhile. I have been to Highpoint a number of times but never had a slip. The restaurant is hit or miss; sandwiches, drinks and beer OK. Service just depends. Full scale meal bad reviews are justified. Staff is friendly though. Major knock on HP is that its a "late night party place with a lot of rowdy kids" Probably gonna end up at Grandpappy. If you got any insight on "Slow Dance" feel free to PM I'll keep it between us. Do have another Four Winns to look at and a slightly larger Chaparral.
PS: Love your boat's name!!!


Thanks to all who posted!!

Bought this 2003 298V, Volvos, 127 hours for $70000 Canadian (our $$ are very close) in August of this year. No major issues.

Pier 74. Saw that on there looks like a nice boat. Is that pic in Meaford? What is the boating like up in that area anything nice to see or is it a lot of open water?

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


Mike

Yes acguy....that is Meaford, two weeks ago on lift out day. There is quite a bit of open water before you cross southern Georgian Bay to get to the islands. About a 40 minute trip......always weather dependant. We like it in Meaford. A one hour car drive from home. A nice place to spend the weekend whether we get out on the boat or just use it as a cottage.


Mike

Ohh for the days when it was 70/30!!! Very nice looking boat!!!

Congratulations, we've had our Vista 348 (2009) for one year now and we are very happy with our choice.
Enjoy

_________________
Denfor
Oakville, Ontario
Bronte Outer Harbour Marina
2009 V358 (Deb's Den)