www.iFourWinns.com

Hello all. I am new to the forum. I am currently a 2006 Sea Ray 240 Sundancer owner looking to move up to a larger boat. A local boat dealer I trust immensely and have purchased my last 3 boats from has a 2001 328 that I am interested in purchasing. I do not know much about these boats except what I have read in online reviews. Is there any advice you can give me? Certain options to have or not have? Problem areas to look for? These guys are really good about going through the boat and making sure everything works and if it doesn't they replace it so it is in tip top shape when the new owner takes deliver. Any help would be greatly appreciated!

Trevor

I have a 2001 328, and also friends of mine have one. to my knowledge there are really no areas of concern for wet spots in the hull and a proper survey will find any if there are. I love our 328. Only issue I have had is the cockpit fridge wire was not the proper size but easily fixed by pulling a new wire.
I think the layout and galley space are some of the best features of this boat.

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


Mike

The dealer had suggested I look at a newer 318 model as I may be happier with it. It's a 2006. He had suggested that there would be less maintenance I'd have to deal with on an on going basis. I don't mind working on the boat myself however. Do you have to work on yours more than you had expected? My issue with the 318 is the price. I really don't want to spend that much on my next boat. Not when I can get the 328 much cheaper and everything I have read about the boat is nothing but good reviews. Again, I am coming out of a 240 Sundancer. Do you think this is too large of a step up?

I cant help you with the models as I only own a 248. I can tell you after owning my 2001 that there is no way I would move to a 5yr older boat, regardless of size. That boat is going to be 15 yrs old. You said you dont mind maintenence but now its all doubled with 2 motors. I would go smaller and newer before older and bigger.

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2001 Four Winns Vista 248 by rick2752, on Flickr

Go for the largest boat in your budget. The 328 is comparable to the 338, so the 318 is a smaller vessel. I'm very happy with my 318, but again, its comparable to a 298. Quite a size difference. Get a good survey and proceed.

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

As far as a size jump, do only what feels comfortable for you
I went from a 21ft to a V298, it was the best move I could have done, my only regret is not having the Kahoonas to go for a V328.

But ALWAYS so a marine survey and proper inspection, it may be difficult to turn down a boat that your wife loves and the price is right, but if it doesn't pass the survey....don't buy it

Take your time, and you'll avoid costly repairs down the road

Good luck

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Funtastik
Gatineau, Qc. Canada
2000 298 Vista
http://village.photos/members/Funtastik/Funtastik

I would go for the 328 - it's my first boat, and wasn't a problem. Any new boat is going to take some time to get used to. Out drives are more maintenance than inboards, but other than that it's not a big deal. After watching several inboards come in on one engine (no way to steer the boat), and having come in on one with out drives myself - I'd say that's a plus for out drives. The 328 is a solid boat, and in 2000/2001 they made a few changes to the dash layout and also added flip up bolster helm seats (both of which I wish I had) and added cherry interior. If a survey comes back favorable, I'd buy the 328 for less money so you can have extra money for upgrades/maintenance that you're going to have on either boat anyway - I can't see 5 years making much difference in a well maintained boat, except in price.

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1969 Chris Craft Commander 47
1999 Four Winns 328 Vista - SOLD

Ok,mso can someone quantify this, please? I'm not disputing that sterndrives require more maintenance than inboards. But is it measured in time or dollars? I asssume dollars, so if so, how many? That is, stern drives require more maintenance dollars but have better fuel efficiency. If you use the boat a nirmal amount (say 50-100 hours a year) does the fuel savings of a stern drive equal out the additional maintenance costs? And if not, whats the diff? Are we talking $1k, $5k or more in maintenace per year?

Inquiring minds want to know, as Im also looking at a 298, a 328 and a Sea Ray 320DA with inboards.

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Steve

Sea Ray 320DA (don't hate - I like the Winns, too!)

At the end of a boating season the maintenance of a stern drive does not really cost anything.

Change oil, check bellows, check anodes, that should be it.

Never owned a straight inboard but you still have rudders with anodes, carrier bearings, transmission...

I don't know that maintenance would be a major difference.

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2004 - 288 Vista
Twin - 5.0 Volvo Penta GXi DP

The 328 is a great boat, and we love ours! I'm not sure what year Four Winns started using them, but, if the boat is Volvo powered, I'd stay away from the XDP-B composite drives...

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2004 Four Winns 328 Vista
1997 Larson Cabrio 290 - sold
1988 Rinker Fiesta Vee 248 - sold

I've got no idea on the cost difference, and I've never had inboards - but here are a few reasons I mentioned maintenance.
- there are a lot less moving parts to break and need replacement on inboards, stern drives have bellows, drive shafts, gimbal bearings, etc that have potential to get wet and need replacement.
- once the paint goes on a stern drive, you'll be painting them every few years if you leave the boat in the water
- seems to me that stern drives also have many possible spots where water can enter the boat

I'm not saying stern drives are a bad idea, or even that the yearly maintenance has a higher cost. I do think there is a greater possibility of having issues or having components break that require repair. One way to avoid this is to remove your drives every winter and inspect them - not expensive if you do it yourself, but time consuming.

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1969 Chris Craft Commander 47
1999 Four Winns 328 Vista - SOLD

We purchased a 2002 , 328 couple years ago with 217 hours on the Volvo Penta engine and drives and have never had a single issue.
Had all the electronics updated at purchase, including Navigation and Stereo with controls at swim deck and Helm.
Installed underwater lights under swim deck at the same time just cause .
Since then the only we have had to do was replace throttle cables due to being too much force to feel engine and transmission. They are great now.

Boat looks great and always getting compliments at the Marinas and on the lakes.

We love the boat.

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Jus Laxin
2002 Four Winns 328 Vista
Mitchells Bay, Ontario, Canada
2006 Rinker 270 Fiesta Vee
1977 Stracraft 25, Hardtop
1957 Yellow Rubber Ducky

I agree with Jus Laxin, we got our 328 with 75 hours and now have over 300, no issues at all. Love the 328.

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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

We purchased a 2001 328 Vista and this will be our 5th season boating with the 328. Many various manufactures of boats in this size range to consider. We looked at a lot of boats before purchasing our 328 and we are very satisfied with the choice we made for a number of reasons. We boat in the fresh water great lakes so we had a strong preference for sterndrives for their increased fuel efficiency and boat speed. My previous two boats before the 328 were also sterndrives and I would not be concerned with the maintenance aspect in fresh water since there are benefits with sterndrives over inboards. Just keep up with the required yearly maintenance.

The 328 will cruise about 30 MPH (3400 RPM) and that 11' 9" beam is nice. As mentioned about, we really like the 328's layout.

Good luck with your decision.

Mike.

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

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

There is more maintenance for sure but since most of you are in freshwater it's not a bad idea to have sterndrives. I would avoid sterndrives on a boat that you can't pull out yourself to clean them if you are in an area with heavy marine growth. Because:
Marine growth will grow in the water intakes causing eventual overheating
Marine growth if its hard growth like barnacles and other shell like critters can cut bellows and trim lines.
If you have sterndrives you get better efficiency and speed, and you can trim up which is a big plus over straight shaft inboards.
However, each year you need to remove the drives, check the bellows, grease the gimble bearing and u-joints assuming they still have grease fittings and also on Volvos, grease the drive shaft splines. Neglecting just this one point will wear out the splines on the coupler and then you get to pull the engine to replace it.
With sterndrives you also have to check your gear oil and change it each season. Seal leaks are a much bigger deal because you will wind up with sea water in the gear oil. With an inboard one huge advantage is the transmission is IN the boat, not IN the water.

So you have to pull the drives each fall
Do all the checks mentioned above
Pressure check outdrives, change gear oil

I don't think you will save money with sterndrives due to better fuel economy but they may be better for your particular application.
Here most people prefer straight shaft inboards due to salt water and marine growth, but you can make sterndrives work provided you are willing to keep up on the work needed. On the south shore of Long Island sterndrives are popular due to the many very shallow areas common there.

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88 Four Winns 200 Horizon
4.3 OMC Cobra-4bbl
2002 Walker Bay 10/2012 Suzuki 2.5
2008 Walker Bay 8

1998 Jeep Grand Cherokee 4.0/Selectrac
2007 Jeep Grand Cherokee 5.7 Hemi/Quadradrive II