www.iFourWinns.com

I am in the throughs of buying a '93 245 Vista and it needs a couple of things replaced on it. The biggest thing is the cabin lid, it has a huge crack in it and does not appear to be an off-the-shelf item. The one online catalog I was able to find only went back to '96.

Any good resources out there?

Thanks....my first of what I hope many posts here on this forum.

Tony

Tony, its highly unlikely they would have it but I would call Four Winns direct.

Also, are you in Michigan? Im curious b/c there are two Vistas of that size and vintage in my area. I wonder if its one of them you are looking at?

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1997 Four Winns Vista 278
T - 4.3l EFI
Kohler 4esz Genset
379 hours as of 8/8/21

Might be. It was parked across the street from West Marine on South River Rd.

I had Rob from First Mate Marine do a mechanical inspection on it today (everything checked out) and I do a water test tomorrow morning.

She's got some rough edges but for a 20 year old boat it looks like someone cared for it and made numerous upgrades.

I will post pics when I get it.

Yup thats the one!

If Im not mistaken, thats the same boat that they tried to sell at an auction and it didnt sell.

I just sold my 1991 255 Sundowner, which is the same hull design/vintage and it was SOLID as heck. Parts were not hard to find, heck half of the parts I could still get at Earl's across the street (next to West Marine).

If you need a structural surveyor, I highly recommend Al of Dolphin Marine. I would at least have the transom and stringers checked.
Good Luck! Ive been eyeing the boat for a while, although Ive upgraded to a 278 Vista this past spring and a 245 is a little too small for my tastes now, but the lines and look of that era always catch my eye.

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1997 Four Winns Vista 278
T - 4.3l EFI
Kohler 4esz Genset
379 hours as of 8/8/21

Here she is. I've had it out a few times already and she runs great. There are a few things I need to figure out though. Need to gain in understanding of the toilet on this boat, it appears to be a port-o-potty converted to a pump out. Still don't know where the damn bilge switch is, I see a switch for Forward Bilge (which the pump works because I can hear it) but don't see a switch for rear bilge. It has an auto bilge option on it, shore power, battery charger. It's got a lot of bells and whistles on it. There is also some device installed on it for creating a negative charge in the water to combat corrosion, it's by Mercury Marine. He said what it was called but I can't remember now. I have a lot to learn. The original OMC outdrive was replaced with a Volvo Penta SX and it shifts beautifully. The mechanic said the stringers look great. We did not have the boat surveyed yet but I want to do that.

Really the only parts I'd like to get for it are the exterior bumpers with chrome molding, anchor lid (has a small crack in it that was repaired), and cabin lid, and new stickers to replace the faded ones. Everything else is fine.

Cool! She looks great.

Glad it all worked out for you. I live in the Huron Pointe Sub, and drove past that boat several times a day for a long time. I noticed it was gone the other day and told my friend "I bet that guy bought the boat, cant wait to see it out on the lake!"

On my 255 Sundowner, I had the pump-out porta-potty. Those arent that uncommon. Just know that when the holding tank on that porta potty is full, its full. You need to get it pumped out the side (Metro Beach charges $12).

The rear bilge may be totally automatic but theres got to be a switch somewhere. If there isnt, you are going to need to install one. Earls on South River has the OEM switches so if you have to install a switch (or replace a worn one!) it will look factory.

The system is called mercathode. Strange its installed on an OMC because Volvo has their own "active protection" system. But either way, its a good thing to counter that galvanic corrosion, and I'd take anything I could get.

Are you going to be keeping the boat in the water somewhere? Are you going to be using it on Lake St Clair?

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1997 Four Winns Vista 278
T - 4.3l EFI
Kohler 4esz Genset
379 hours as of 8/8/21

It's at my Brother-In-Law's house, he lives on a canal near 10 mile. We are right next door to Jefferson Beach Marina and had the the Pump-Out-Port-O-Potty pumped out for $10.....and that sucker was full. Smells a lot better in there. LOL.

Yes, Mercathode...that was the name. I did find the switch for the rear bilge. The ring on the transom must be in great condition, there is only a tiny bit of water in the bilge from what I can see after over a week sitting in the water. Not enough to pump out yet. This is my first endeavor with trim tabs and learning to manuever a boat of this size. It's been fun. I have always been a fan of Four Winns boats because I love Michigan products. Proud to finally be an owner of one.