www.iFourWinns.com

Hello, I am new to this forum. I am writing this post because I am considering purchasing a used 2005 378 Vista. The boat has a hardtop and twin VP 8.1L inboards. It has a white hull and deck with a blue accent stripe and blue canvas. I will get the boat surveyed before committing to purchase, but with only 93 hours showing on the meters and an overall excellent appearance I am not anticipating any major issues. The boat was used on the great lakes and has only been in fresh water (no salt) since new.

Any information in the form of likes and dislikes, known problems, things to look for, etc. that 378 owners can provide would be greatly appreciated. Thank you in advance for your replies.

http://www.boattrader.com/listing/2005- ... -102577602
Nice looking boat, but the hours so low would be a concern.

Some links to read..

viewtopic.php?f=6&t=8304

viewtopic.php?f=6&t=708

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One of 4 Previous (Sold) Boats:
2000 Four Winns 268 Vista

Current Boat: 2004 Chaparral 235 ssi cuddy

I have a 2011 and I have 97 hours. Were the meters changed out?

Hello , I just got a 378 in March ,went from a Rinker 312 to the 378 , we love it ,the room up top and down below there is nothing better than a 378 that size .

A couple of things that are different
The shaft drives are a lot slower than the stern drives , 24 mph at 3500 is top speed, fast enough in a 20k boat
I'm not one to complain about gas but the 8.1s sure do like it ,there is a big difference in the fuel I use now than the fuel I used with twin 350 mags
The 378 seems to rides a little bow high trim tabs seem to have little effect, but it handles waves and rides great and docks real easy
I don't know about the Vp but my mercs sound awesome if you like that throaty rumble
The storage is awesome
I have had a few problems.
The shafts were out of alignment , but thatcould be from transport to Tn from Ohio no big deal to fix
I had 6 hrs on my gen that has been the most problematic thing to get fixed ( not Fw fault)
The 378 is so different from all the sea rays everybody down here , that people always want to peek inside

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Just A bigger splash

Thanks everyone for your replies.

Shawtony, 3500 RPM seems low for top end on that motor. Is that at WOT? seems like it should be higher. Thank you for all the information you provided. If I buy the 378 I will be going from a Rinker 320, a boat very comparable to your old 312.

That's cruising speed for the 8.1 ,my old rinker 3500 rpm I was cruising 35 mph
The big blocks the max rpm is 4400 , so you want to cruise 20% below the max rpm

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Just A bigger splash

I also called about that 378, seems a good price, notice there is no back table in the picture, not even holes in the carpet for one. Good luck, the dealer told me he does not have the boat yet and its coming from Canada??

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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

erie cruiser, that is what I was told as well. Interesting observation about the table...I hadn't noticed that.
Do you boat on Lake Erie? I'm just curious because of your name. I kept my boat on Erie in Monroe, MI for many years. I recently relocated and dock on Lake St. Clair now. I do miss the islands though.

Yes our home port is Erie Pa, love boating on lake Erie and enjoy the islands every time we cruise out there. I just spoke to that dealer yesterday, I did not ask him about the table but for the wife that could be a deal breaker. Keeping our eyes out for a 378, did you see the one in Sandusky from the privet seller? Its also a nice boat, lots of hours but a real nice guy/boat, we would probably be buying that one if we had ours sold.

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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

Hi erie,

I did see that listing. The boat looked very nice! I am looking for something with lower hours but, if well maintained that one could be a contender. Like you, I continue to search.

Hello,

We have a 2005-378 which we moved up from a FW - 298 three summers ago...We absolutely love the 378 and have had no mechanical problems other than having to repair the galley fridge (this year).

We have the Volvo 8.1's....allot of power (we usually cruise around 3100 -3200 RPM)....engines love fuel when you push the RPM's higher.

Ps: Our boat came with a dealer installed bow-thruster and we installed a stern-thruster last year....does your boat have a bow-thruster (highly recommended)???

Best of luck....

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Clayton
2005 - 378 Vista
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