www.iFourWinns.com

I have this cruisers on my short list.

Any input from present and former owners is welcome. Freshwater use only. Lake Huron. Tks.
(Any issues i should be concerned with)

2004 298 Owner here, overall I like my boat and think any boat is going to have some problems at some point. My biggest headache has been fuel pump problems with my Volvo 5.0GXi engines, also fuse / relay box issues, lastly I think Four Winns chinced on several electrical circuits by using undesized fuses and wire gauge.

_________________
2004 Vista 298
Twin 5.7L Volvo Penta GXi-E

I have a 2001 328. I love the boat. I think this design and layout is one of the best for Four Winns. I have had no real issues that are related to Four Winns. The boat I have actually came from Lake Huron and the previous owner from what he told me spent quite a bit of time cruising up to the north channel. I looked at the 298 and loved them but at the end of the day felt like we would grow out of the boat to quickly for lack of space. The extra beam on the 328 makes a big difference in my opinion.

_________________
2001 328 Vista "Nauta Dream 2"
AB Inflatable 10AL "Little Dreamer"
2000 248 Vista
1997 225 Sundowner


Mike

Greetings pastime,

We also have a 328 Vista. Had a 30' Doral Prestancia previously and considered a heck of a lot of different boat models in the 32 - 34 foot express style cruiser range before moving up and purchasing our 328.

Funny thing for us was we thought a couple of different times that we had a narrowed our search down to a specific size/model of boat but then after getting on that specific model and really thinking about the boat in its entirety we moved on as we thought we could do better to match all of the "wants" we liked in a boat.

What we like in the 328 in no specific order is:

- The "U" shaped dinette in galley. Very comfortable and great for up to four people sitting around table and being able to talk, eat while seeing each other.
- The "U" shaped seating in aft cockpit area along with port side lounge and two up captain's helm seat. This cockpit seating gives lots of variety as to where to sit at dock or anchoring out and is great for guests.
- The 328 with the twin 5.7's and duoprops cruises very easy at 28 - 30mph and gets up on plane very well even when loaded up with fuel, gear etc.
- The cherry cabinets in the model year 2000 and up looks great.
- Three large round deck portholes that allow lots of natural light in galley but are not see thru with galley lights on at dark.
- The 328 has large well placed oval port windows. When sitting at dinette or laying in V-Berth you can have a good view out.
- The 328 has decent side decks to walk up to bow and also has a walk thru windshield.
- I like the helm layout and find the one level cockpit area to be comfortable walking around (no steps from helm area right back to swim platform).
-And speaking of swim platforms, the 328 has a large one which is raised at a good height off the water. I didn't care for our swim platform on our Doral that was only about 6" off the water so if a boat wake hits your boat or if its a bit rough out on the water your swim platform gets dunked all the time.
- The 328's 11' 9" beam suits the boat layout well.
- A lot of 328's came with generators, but even with the generator working in the engine compartment gives a decent amount of room for most maintenance items.
- I like the exterior profile with the forward facing radar arch.
- I still am impressed at how well those 5.7's move the 328. With those duoprops that boat has able power and this was important to me as I did not want a underpowered boat. The duoprops also have a good bite in the water when docking.

One thing I don't like is those side vent covers (bilge exhaust) will touch the dock before the rub rail. Not by much, but if you are not careful you could damage these vent covers.

Also a hydraulic engine hatch would of been nice.

Overall though, if the 328 meets what you like in terms of layout, size and price, then spend a hour or so on one and sit in the seats, layout on the beds and try to get out on one (if you haven't already) and go for a spin.

Good luck,
Mike.

_________________

Current Boat
- 2001 Four Winns 328 Vista "Hour Decision"
- 2010 310 Mercury Inflatable

Previous Boats
- 30' Doral Prestancia
- 25' Doral Citation

Many thanks for your detailed replies.

Yes, this are very family friendly cruisers with a great layout. Both levels. The quality of workmanship in detail is promising.

A) Are there any issues with the balsa cored hull sides above the water and the deck? Potential water leaks. Some boat owners install hardware later and not reseal properly?
B) Just wondering, if it is advisable to apply a barrier coat, to avoid potential 'osmosis' or blistering? Thanks.

We have a 2004 298 Vista with the 5.0MPI mercruisers with Bravo 3's. We've had the boat 2 years seasons now, we moved up from a 2003 248 Vista.

We are very pleased with the boat, no problems at all, just doing normal maintenance. We've put just over 100 hours on it since we got it, and the boat has 300 hrs total on it now. We use our boat a lot, most every weekend we're anchored out somewhere.

We also strongly considered the 328, but we were a bit leary about where to draw the line size wise with fuel and slip costs to consider. When looking at the 328 it definitely has a bit more room, but I wouldn't call it a huge difference to the 298. Compared to the 248 though, the 298 has tons more room, and for a couple we find the 298 just the perfect size. Both are excellent boats and you can't go wrong with either of them IMO.

We have our 298 bottom painted, mainly because being in the water all season, it keeps the boat looking nice which i like. Our friends have a 298 as well, a 2002 model, and theirs is not bottom painted. I've not seen any issues with hull blistering on either of our boats.

_________________
2004 Four Winns 298 Vista
"Last Minute"

We've owned our 2003 328V for 8 years and the boat has been fantastic for our family of four. I agree the 5.7s with Duoprops accelerate the boat well and hold it on plane at low speeds. We haven't had any problems with the lay up of the hull, coring, gelcoat, anything. I've looked at a lot of similar boats and it's really hard to beat this boat.

_________________

2014 Vista V435
2011 Glastron GT180
2013 Sea Doo RXT-260

Alan_G_298Vista
The 298Vista is a great cruiser with only 300 hrs. Where did you find the 298Vista with 200 hrs.?

Just wondering, did you apply bottom paint only, or did you apply: InterProtect 2000E is a two-part self priming epoxy designed to protect fiberglass boat hulls from water absorption and reduce the likelihood of gelcoat blisters

Two years ago we purchased a 2000 338. It's exactly the same as the 328 as far as layout, just 18 inches longer. We moved up from a Rinker 270. We absolutely LOVE the boat. It is exactly what we are looking for and there is no need to move up. I would highly recommend it as the others have for the 328. We went from a jetski, to a Rinker 223, to a Rinker 270, to this current boat in 8 years. Don't get screwed like we did. Buy the biggest you can afford right away. We still owe 4k on the Rinker we sold 2 years ago.

_________________
Wayne & Kari
00' V338 Four Winns

Thank's, we're very happy with the 298 like I mentioned. We found our 298 in the Grand Bend, Ontario area. The purchase included transport to our area of Georgian Bay, we're almost 4 hours away by car from Grand Bend. We looked at a few others with similar hours, but this one was in the best condition by far overall, and I could confirm the previous owner maintained it well.
We have bottom paint only on our 298. I forget the brand, our marina put it on, but I know it's not an epoxy base product.

_________________
2004 Four Winns 298 Vista
"Last Minute"

....... interesting, we moved 8years ago to Grand Bend.
> Good to know, a InterProtect 2000E is then not required.

Thanks again for sharing your experience with your 298Vista.

My boat also has only a layer of antifouling bottom paint on it. I've been shopping around to have it redone and every place I've talked to says that a barrier coat is not really necessary. I was told that because boats in the great lakes are only in the water for a few months a year it's not really needed.

_________________
2004 248 Vista "Amante"
MC 5.0MPI/B3