www.iFourWinns.com

I wish I felt bad ... but I really don't. I started getting the itch for something newer earlier this year. I talked to a broker here in the DFW area. He just moved a 26' Sea Ray and a 25' Rinker Cruiser. Both older than mine and not in nearly as good of shape for mid $30s.

He seems to think he can get $40k.

Our interests have changed and I think we're going to take a break from cruisers. I'm eyeing the Yamaha Limited 242 S.

This seems attractive to me because the maintenance costs are likely lower since I can do it all myself. No outdrive = much easier DIY activities. Doesn't seem anymore complicated than working on my jet ski, which is not difficult at all.

Biggest concern ... no rudder. Therefore, low speed steering is a challenge. I have looked into an add-on called "Cobra Jet Fins". Supposed to help. I know it's a stretch, but anyone know anything about the Yamaha or the fins?

Craig C.

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2003 Vista 248, VP 5.0 GXi-C, DP

These guys will....

http://yamahajetboaters.com/forum/index.php

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

Current Boat: 2004 Chaparral 235 ssi cuddy

I should move to Texas...your boats are more expensive! My 2003 248 with trailer and only 110 hours is for sale in Vermont for $31,500.00. It's not a great time of year to sell a boat up here. I realized that I want to get another bowrider.

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2003 248 Vista on Lake Champlain

Couldn't resist.

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

I think the increase in cost / value is directly related to the outside temperature. 248's without A/C don't sell at all, at least from what I have seen. Since this has been an exceptionally hot summer, it has people wishing for a place to retreat in the hottest part of the day. Swim and grill in the mornings / evenings ... hole up in the cabin in the afternoon.

Craig C.

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2003 Vista 248, VP 5.0 GXi-C, DP

Still trying to figure out how that scenario played out but I'm sure the last words spoken before the injuries sounded something along the lines of " hold my beer and watch this"

A friend of mine picked up a Yamaha twin jet boat (22ft?) at the start of the season, and that thing is awesome! He said it was really hard to drive at low speed till he put the fins on, and now he's says it drives better than his stern drive ski boat. He says it also made a big difference at all speeds and wouldn't want the boat without them.

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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"

Best offer I had on a trade for my 2006 that has every option except NAV (but I have a nice late model Garmin in it with fuel usage monitor) and trailer was 26.5K. Brokers here say they can get 31-33K for it so I end up with 10% less than that. I have 355 hours but its super-clean and I just did bellows, engine alignment etc.

As much as I'd like to get back into a 24-26' bowrider with a head I'll keep this for a another season or two and use it up. I dont mind the dealers making money but paying 20-30 grand + this boat for used 26' bowrider of the same year/ similar hours gets rid of that 'wanting a new boat' feeling pretty quick

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2006 Vista 248 5.7DP - SOLD
2011 Crownline E6 - SOLD
2007 Sea Ray 260 Sundancer

Did this a few years back and have never regretted the decision. Of course if we still had our cruiser we would not be able to sleep everyone one it now anyway (3 kids). I ended up putting a decent amount of cash in the bank after we sold our cruiser via broker and bought our bowrider. Of course we owned the cruiser outright already.

I'm surprised you guys are going back to bowriders. Just got my bowrider with a head this year, and already my wife said, we should have bought something with a cabin. I think in a year or two, I'll be looking for a 248 :p

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2011 SL242 5.7 VP GXi - 320 HP Dual Prop

For me, I live right on the lake. Ended up sleeping at home most nights anyway, and using the 248 for skiing, tubing and short trips with friends.

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2003 248 Vista on Lake Champlain

My wife likes the cabin, the fridge, the larger private head etc, we have two young kids and they like it as well. We were planning on doing more overnighting on the water but just cant seem to find the time to do it so its kind of a waste. I think it would perfect if my wife and I were retired and could spend more time together on it and taking small overnight trips.

I would like something I can get on and off the trailer by myself too. We have a ramp in our subdivision but I keep the 248 in a marina on a lift thats 5 minutes away. I can be out my front door and on the water in 10 minutes if that so the marina is great, but its like 3600.00 a year for the slip (yearly lease, they arent stupid lol) and the boat just sits there for 5 months on the lift winterized.

The 248 is a very versatile boat and doesnt get bad fuel mileage, it wont kill me to keep it. the small cruiser market here is just dead, several 25-27' cruisers that I looked at over a year ago are still for sale. Only ones that sell are giveaway prices. I cant complain too much because I bought mine that was sitting for two years at a giveaway price, but right now decent newer 24+ foot bowriders are selling for a premium so its not worth it for me to do it right now..

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2006 Vista 248 5.7DP - SOLD
2011 Crownline E6 - SOLD
2007 Sea Ray 260 Sundancer

We happen to be a Yamaha Boat dealer as well as a Four Winns dealer.. the Yammies are AMAZING!! The whole low speed steering thing takes a few weekends to get used to and you will be good. You can add the Fins or Thrust Vectors and help you out a little.. but you will LOVE this boat! It's my favorite one in the line up.. dealer meeting is this week so I'll have all the info on the new 2012 line up by tuesday or wednesday!

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Bryan Mutter

http://www.twincitymarine.com
http://www.facebook.com/twincitymarineinc
http://www.youtube.com/user/twincitymarine
http://www.twitter.com/twincitymarine

This is exactly our situation. We live walking distance from the marina. Faced with the decision of sleeping on the boat or in my bed at home ... home wins every time.

We went and looked at the 242 Limited S this morning. Our Vista is officially for sale now. Hopefully the broker can get close to what he thinks for it.

Craig C.

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2003 Vista 248, VP 5.0 GXi-C, DP

Great video of the 2012 242 Limited S here. Looks like a great lake boat with lots of space and storage.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vTMNB0bZ ... re=related

Good luck with the sale of the 248.

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

Current Boat: 2004 Chaparral 235 ssi cuddy