www.iFourWinns.com

Well, I've never owned a boat that you didn't have to blow up but came across a great opportunity on a 268 Vista. The son of one of my officers is a pro football player and in October of 2010 bought the 268 Vista. He had a survey done, there were a few small items to address (boat had 99.2 hours on it), he had everything taken care of. He used the boat a couple of times in 2011 on Lake Erie, had it winterized, shrink wrapped and it has not been used since. He has since moved to Florida except when in playing season, and bought a bigger boat. I am purchasing the boat sight unseen, but I have worked with the dad for about ten years and you couldn't find more honorable people so I really have no concerns.

He is including the trailer, some new electronics (he is a gadget guy) like gps and fish finder, all the life jackets, ropes, bumpers and toys he purchased. It has, according to the boat survey, the 320 hp 5.7 Volvo Penta engine, 5k generator, radar arch and the standard goodies. I will not be taking the boat out this year, it is already getting into the 40's at night and the season in Ohio is shot.

Anyone familiar with this model year that can offer advice, what to look for, etc. would be appreciated. Actually, any advice at all would be beneficial! I'm downloading the owners manual and will read it several times, I'm the type that has to know everything about my toys. I need to know much more about boating rules and etiquette, I've spent some time on the water but not as the person driving the boat.

I've enjoyed reading and researching the forum and have picked up some great tips already. Other than that... Come on spring!!

Dan

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2004 268 Vista

Welcome! I'm not a Vista guy (yet), but the first thing I would be concerned with is that the boat has sat for a year with nothing done to it. Boats are very finicky, and do not sit in storage well without attention paid to certain things. Some things I would check on:

- How much gas was left in it before it was put away? Was it treated with Sta-Bil? Drained? E10 ethanal gas can really gunk up the fuel system if it is allowed to sit.
- Same for the genset.
- Was it winterized before storage? Corrosion can build up unless anti-freeze was added to engine/risers/water pump.
- Has anyone opened her up and allowed fresh air in? Mold/mildew can start, especially if left in shrink wrap over a summer.
- Look out for wasp/hornet/yellow jackets...they love boats.
- Were the batteries removed? If not, they are prob dead as doornails by now.

Hopefully she was put away right, and you won't have any probs when you open her up next spring. Again, welcome to the site.

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1996 205 Sundowner DLX
5.0FL Volvo SX Cobra
Tow Veh: 2012 Nissan Frontier Pro-4X

Congratulations! For a first boat, you really jumped way up the ladder.

Good points made my NiagaraChillin. If it is still shrink wrapped, I would consider cutting an access opening in the shrink wrap and go in get some fresh air in there. Consider adding damp-rid containers or a dehumidifier. Take the batteries out if they are still in there, or at least charge them and make sure they are disconnected.

Come spring, evaluate the fuel situation before even cranking the engine. If you need to have the tank pumped out, better to do it before getting the bad gas into the engine and clogging up fuel pumps and injectors.

All in all you probably got a great boat in great condition. The goodies (GPS, Fishfinder, etc) are probably top-notch too.

Best of luck.

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"Knot Easy" 2000 Horizon 240 Volvo 5.7GS /SX
tow: 2017 Honda PILOT EXL-AWD
prev. boats:
'87 Chaparral 198CXL 4.3 OMC Cobra
'69 Jetstar 16ft Ski Boat, 115hp Yamaha
'68 Aluminum Jon Boat, 3hp Sears
'64 Water Wings

Thanks folks! Everything that's been done to the boat has been "professionally" done, he has the disposable income to have things done right so I hope to find no issues! Good points on opening it up, I will be up there (stored 2.5 hours away) hopefully next weekend and get to check things out.

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2004 268 Vista

Welcome,
As for boater training, here is a link to an online course that will get you started with the "rules".
http://www.boatus.org/onlinecourse/default.asp

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Terry
Current: 07 Crownline 255 CCR cuddy - 350 Mag MPI/B3 "Casi Cielo"

Previous:97 245 Sundowner 5.7GI/SX

Tow vehicle: 1986 GMC 2500 Camper Special 454/TH400

Welcome, from central Ohio myself. Last year I bought my first boat and it has been a wonderful ride! Where do you plan on doing your boating?? Right now is a wonderful time to be boating in Ohio! The leaves are just getting to their peak color change. The weather is a bit cool, but if this boat is as loaded as it sounds, you will have no problem being out until mid November! We will still have a couple of overnighters to go this season, even as the temps are going to be in the 30's at night! I am already considering stepping up in size, so that probably means you are doing the right thing by bypassing that step all together.

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2006 Vista 278
First Boat:
2005 Sundowner 205
Columbus, OH

Thanks for the link, I'll do that.

Hutch, with the weather we have been having I'm reluctant to get the boat out only to have to winterize it again in a few weeks. I was thinking of bringing it down here from Lake Erie in the spring and taking it to Alum, Deer Creek, Indian Lake to get to know the boat and some experience with it locally. Any recommendations on where to (or not to) take it would be appreciated. I go to Buckeye Lake on my motorcycle often, but the water seems so dirty I'm not sure I'd take the boat there. I love Lake Cumberland, a friend has a houseboat and 24 foot Donzi at Grider Hill, I was there several times over the summer and had a blast. It's a 5 hour drive from Columbus though, but when you get there the water is not going to be too rough to take the boat out (and be comfortable) like Lake Erie. My brother in law has his 27 foot Maxxum at Geneva on the lake marina, it's nice there, he lives close and goes every weekend in the summer. He makes the good point that he can keep an eye on it for me.

I want to be able to use the boat for overnighters, I'm glad i had the opportunity to get a deal on one this size. I made the starting out too small mistake with my campers, and wish I had bought bigger earlier than I did.

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2004 268 Vista

We mostly boat Alum Creek. I have been to Deer when I was a kid. That is a pretty small lake if memory serves me correctly. We are going to do Indian Lake but I have heard it is very shallow. Be careful if you put that boat on it! I dont want anything to do with Buckeye Lake because of how dirty/shallow it is. If you go there, use a composite prop, LOL! Wanted to do Lake Erie in my boat this year, but didnt end up having the time and Alum is so close to my house it is hard to resist with gas prices and all.

As for winterizing it, you HAVE to take her out and test her before spring! This is a great time of year and the cost of winterizing is not a bad cost if you can do it yourself. I dont think it will cost me much more than $35 to do it this year. Besides, it sounds like she had been sitting unused for long enough.

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2006 Vista 278
First Boat:
2005 Sundowner 205
Columbus, OH

I was at Deer Creek a few weeks ago, but it was in a Kayak... The place was a ghost town. One of my officers has a bigger Four Winns, he keeps it at Indian Lake and said the water is very low. Looks like Alum may be the "learning lake". I was thinking of keeping it at Port Clinton till spring, but I am really anxious to play with it. If I do, I'll let you know, if you happen to be at Alum you can give me tips. I know from owning campers, those types of toys don't like to just sit without being used. I have a lot of vacation time, sure would like to burn some doing some boat camping.

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2004 268 Vista

The water is pretty low at Alum also, but in the middle of the lake it runs from 20-40ft+. I would be happy to show you what I know! I now have a very good feel for Alum, as far as shallow areas and coves. I am actually thinking of moving up to a boat like yours, but I am going to take my time unless the perfect deal pops up. It would be really nice to see a 268 in person and help convince the admiral

Wll likely be up there this weekend on saturday and sunday. Next week possibly as well, just let me know. You are right about them liking to be used!

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2006 Vista 278
First Boat:
2005 Sundowner 205
Columbus, OH

I called the marina, at the end of 2011 they serviced and winterized the boat, vacuumed bilges, changed fuel filters and she covered a litany of service items, all sounded like good routine maintenance. The batteries were pulled and have been maintained on a battery tender. She stated the boat will be "perfect" when it is unwrapped, I feel much better!

After the posts from Hutch, I really am considering getting it out and getting a few weeks use out of it.

The boat is at Brands Marina in Port Clinton, they seemed very friendly and she was patient with a lot of rookie questions.

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2004 268 Vista

Hi Dan, we just traded in our 04 268, it was by far the best boat I have ever owned and we just loved it. If it was not for needing more room we would still own that boat. The one we sold did not have a genny or a arch and I was asking 35K (350hrs), if you got your boat for anything under that amout ,you did well.

enjoy.

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Current Boat - '04 328 Vista "Be As You Are"

Previous Boats
'04 268 Vista
'97 238 Vista
'94 210 Marada
'88 175 Sunbird

Dan,

Congrats on your 268 and welcome to the forum!! I agree with erie cruiser, you've bought yourself a great boat. We couldn't be happier with our 268, and every time I get the itch for something newer I can't find anything that compares to the layout of the 268 in any other 26ft boat. Post some pics when you get a chance!

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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"

I got lucky.... I am paying 30k. It had 99 hours on it when he bought it, not sure exactly what it has now, but he only used it a few times. Must be nice to be a pro football player and have that much discretionary income! I know its nice working with the father of one, you can fall into a great deal on a boat.

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2004 268 Vista

Why isn't there an emoticon for Envy? I'll have to use Mr Green

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"Knot Easy" 2000 Horizon 240 Volvo 5.7GS /SX
tow: 2017 Honda PILOT EXL-AWD
prev. boats:
'87 Chaparral 198CXL 4.3 OMC Cobra
'69 Jetstar 16ft Ski Boat, 115hp Yamaha
'68 Aluminum Jon Boat, 3hp Sears
'64 Water Wings