www.iFourWinns.com

We had quite the ride to Annapolis and back yesterday afternoon. I'll admit that I didn't check the marine forecast before heading out (something I normally always do) and this was one of those days I should have checked. Our river was calm until we got down to the mouth of it and then the waves started stacking up. I thought...ok, not so unusual for decent size waves where the river meets the bay. Happens often enough but it'll probably be better once we're past this point and in the bay, usually is. Ummm...no. But silly me decided to press on anyway and we made it over to Annapolis fairly easily. Our plan was to spend the night but all of the slips were taken (first come first serve - no reservations) so after sitting around for an hour or so hoping somebody would leave we decide to head back home. HOLY CRAP the bay picked up in that hour! No idea how big the waves were but we would come off of the bigger ones and the boat would bury nearly down to the rub rails in the next one. Spray was literally coming up and over the radar arch the entire ride. But our trusty 298 was rock solid. We maintained a decent speed the entire way, the boat never smacked down with a "bam!" once, I never felt like we were getting tossed but rather we just kept plowing through the seas, the cabin stayed intact with nothing thrown around, and the wife (who hates rough water) was positive the entire way. On the downside...we were soaked. I could not have been more wet had I jumped off of the boat and swam around it 5 times. But what a ride and what a boat! I love WineDown even more after yesterday. Don't plan on seeking out those conditions again but sure feel good about the boats abililty to handle them after yesterday.

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'01 Vista 298

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-Tony
2016 Robalo R200 w/Yahama 200!

Previous boats:
2003 Four Winns 248 Vista - sold
1994 Sunbird Corsair 200 - sold
1980 Checkmate Predictor - sold

Sounds fun.


Craig C.

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2003 Vista 248, VP 5.0 GXi-C, DP

The 298 is a great boat - wide beam for it's length but a wet ride in rough surf. I put up the front curtains in bad waters and let it fly ...

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2002 Vista 298 VP 5.0Gxi

I was looking to hit Annapolis next Thursday and spending the night, what are the chances of getting something at the city docks?

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2004 Vista 298
Twin 5.7L Volvo Penta GXi-E

We ran into the same seas last weekend. Coming back south from Dobbin's Island on the Magothy to Annapolis. The wind coming out of the south is a killer. The long fetch makes the waves stack up. Makes for a lumpy, wet ride. At one point I was going a little too fast into a couple of them and the anchor came loose. My fault as I didn't properly install the chock for it when we left Dobbin's. Damn thing got loose and swung a 4' arc. Banged a dent into the spotlight housing and took out a quarter-sized chunk of fiberglass on the port side top deck edge. It was 'less than fun' re-securing the anchor out in the middle of the Bay...

Fortunately the guests aboard thought it was great fun splashing along like that. Me, I was exhausted by the time we got back to port. Our 3 year old slept right through the whole thing, go figure.

As for Annapolis, why not just get a mooring ball? Sure, if a slip is open, that's worth getting. But the water taxi is a fine way to get out to the mooring balls and anchorage areas. I believe you can book a mooring ball in advance too.

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-Bill Kearney, 2005 348 Vista

You should have no problem getting a slip on a weeknight. It's the weekends that are tough.

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'01 Vista 298

We thought about it but opted to head back home. Heading over was kind of a last minute decision and we had prepared for a night at the docks with electric vs. a night under battery power. We had planned on going over this afternoon and grabbing a slip for the night but with the temps pushing 100 and the heat index at 110 or better, I think we'll stay home and wait for cooler temps. Annapolis is great, but I don't think I could do a full day there when it's this hot. Especially when we can go there pretty much whever we want.

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'01 Vista 298