www.iFourWinns.com

Looking for a cruiser. Coming out of an H240, I'm liking the Vista and thinking a cruiser between 26'-31' is where I'd like to be. Anything out there or anyone here have any advice, words of encouragement?(lol)

Go for it!

Where will you be boating and who will be joining you?

I boat on Georgian Bay with my wife and two young sons. We are on our second Vista (268 and 288) and considering our third. Great boats for what we do. We trailered the 268 and now keep the 288 moored at a marina. We spend most weekends at anchor.

_________________
2004 - 288 Vista
Twin - 5.0 Volvo Penta GXi DP

I've had a 268 then a 318 and now a H240. If you need to trailer the 268 is the perfect size and very easy to manage. If you're slipping it, the 318 is a great boat - perfect layout, nice space and we thoroughly enjoyed ours.

_________________
2007 358 T-5.7GXi IB
Previous Boats
'08 H240, '08 V318, '04 268, '04 225

Love my 268, daughter in college has kept me from a larger boat. Couple more years.... so money is a factor also. I do Slip my 268 at about $4000 a year. So I could Afford a larger boat, but not with the slip.... daughter graduates in May, then 2 years of grad school. Then It’s MY time

_________________
Current:
2000 Sea Ray 380 Sundancer "still Livin the Dream"

Past
2002 268 Vista 5.7 GXI "Livin' the Dream"
1996 Rinker 192 Captiva. "The Simple Life"
1999 Yamaha XLL 1200 Waverunner.
1976 Mercury Marquis tri hull 120 hp

I'm going to be slipping this one on the Connecticut River close to the mouth. Plan on day trips and overnights in the sound and Block Island. Me + 1 and possibly another couple for overnights but that's it. Started this search thinking about a Sea Ray 260 single engine but the more people I've talked to, I'm thinking twins and a little bigger than the 260. I just sold my H240 and loved the Four Winns. The Vista just seems to fit where I'd like to be for now.

I really appreciate y'all taking the time to throw you thoughts and advice my way. It's greatly appreciated.

Greg

If your slipping and can afford it, you can't beat a 318/338, or a 298/328 if you want more bang for your buck.

_________________
2007 358 T-5.7GXi IB
Previous Boats
'08 H240, '08 V318, '04 268, '04 225

We boat on Long Island Sound and spend a bit of time in the CT river. We had a 268 for five years and did quite a few trips to Block Island with 2 adults and three kids on board. We found the 268 a bit small and slightly underpowered with the 5.7. We moved up to the V338 a few years ago and could not be happier. She handles the worst of LI Sound and gets us to Block and Newport with ease. I would recommend the 338 if you can swing it. There was a V358 for sale in Old Saybrook at the end of last season. Good luck with the search.

_________________


2008 V338
Twin Volvo Penta 320hp DP

2002 268 Vista
1987 225 Sundowner
1986 170 Horizon
1975 Steury V415SS

I have slipped on the CT river for 5 years now, trailered before. We had the 258, almost the same as the 268 and it was great. It got too small for 2 adults and two growing kids so we moved up. Its okay for the sound on good days but you can get caught in nasty stuff out there in minutes. I never went to BI because its too far in the ocean for me with a single engine. If you want to do trips farther than just up the coast or straight across to Greenport on good days I would consider something with dual engines.
my $.02 but you can get more bang for your buck in something other than a Searay. They are not bad boats but tend to be over priced in our area compared to a Four Winns or similar.
Just keep in mind, the bigger the boat the expenses go up exponentially. For some reason it seems to be 4 times the price for twice the the size boat we have now. Not just double engines but bigger and costlier parts for the bigger engines. And this goes for all the other equipment like AC units and pumps and especially the canvas bridge enclosure. Not to mention the slip fees...
A boat in the 30' range is very versatile. Not sure where you plan on slipping on the CT river but north of Essex will be fresh water so less $$ on maintenance and slip fees and only a 45 minute ride to the mouth.

Hope that helps.

_________________
--2002 3880 Regal Flybridge | Twin Merc 8.1HO **Seven**
--2003 AB 13 VST Console Inflatable | Tohatsu 40hp TLDI **Phish'n ski**
--310 Mercury Inflatable | 1982 9.9 Johnson

A good friend has a 99 328 for sale here in Nashville. Freshwater boat, 5.7gsi, genny, etc.
let me know if your interested and I'll pass along his contact info.
Thx
Rob

_________________

Lakebum
2006 378 Vista
Nashville, TN
Current
04 Hustler Cheetah
06 Seadoo sportster 150
Past
06 378 vista
328 vista
240 horizon
21' glastron
20' celebrity

Well........ I ended up going with a Monterey 280SY.

I really appreciate all the input from you guys.