www.iFourWinns.com

Doc,
There is a nice Four Winns dealer there in Vegas, have them survey the boat.

As far as the OMC drive, I had one on my 1995 Four Winns 245 Sundowner, it was the king cobra. I would own one again. They all have there problems, some more than others, but I would bet that it has more to do with how it was maintained vs was brand it is.

I test drove a '96 FW 238 with the ford 5.8L fuel injected motor, but it had the volvo duo prop. That is a nice boat. I choose to go with a 248, little different layout and a tad bigger.

A/C can be added to any cuddy for pocket cruiser for approx $1200, do a search for mermaid air, they are out of florida. I almost bought there unit for your old sundowner, very small compact unit. There is no way you will install a gen set on a 238, you will have to do what we do, carry a Honda EU2000 on the swim deck.

A camper canvas is a must, shade for hot days, and install side curtains for cold days.

We do just about all our boating a bit up stream from you at lake powell, a small crusier is a great way to go for these lakes, you can still pull kids on tube or skis and have a boat large enough to spend weekend (or week) on the lake.

If you budget allows, watch for a boat with everything on it, its a buyers market now, lots to choose from.

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2000 248 5.7L DP
'92, '94 SXI 750, '08 STX 15F, '12 Ultra LX 300
Videos

It is just my opinion that 10K is way too much for the condition of that boat. You can get a feel for how well it was cared for by looking at the poor shape the trailer is in. My local dealer sold a newer 238 that on a scale of 10 was a 9.8 and they didn't get much more than 10 for it (I think it went for 14 or 15) and it was immaculate, garage kept, never slipped, not bottom painted..

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Brett DiMichele

I looked at the ad, boat looked good to me but keep in mind, I am used to salt water boats that look like crap after 5 years, so that one looks great! The Cobra is the joint venture drive so it's the same as a Volvo SX. The only other thing I'd be concerned about, is if parts are available for the fuel injected Ford engine (fuel injection and ignition parts). I'd look over at http://www.dougrussell.com and check in the OMC parts section, to make sure you can get those parts. Volvo did not use Ford engines for a long time, so that may be an issue. Again, you need a pro to look at it. We can't really tell you much, other than it looks good for the age. One other thing, is that it really hasn't been used much in all those years. I hope it was stored and winterized properly.

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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

Again, thank you all for the sage and prompt advice.

Is it realistic for me to trailer a 238 Vista routinely using my Toyota Sequoia? It is a 2-wheel drive, and Lake Mead is probably no more than five miles from my house.

Lastly, my home is on a very steep grade, I have an "RV" pad at the bottom of a steep hill with a 45 degree bend into the level pad. I currently store a utility trailer down there, and I use my Jeep Wrangler with the FRONT hitch and low-range to get the trailer "easily" into this otherwise challenging spot. Any thoughts on whether this would even be feasible with the boat? PLEASE understand I am not looking for a Darwin award and will do more research on this before any attempts.

The car questions are not just for this boat, for any in this size range - these questions may be my limiting factor now that I am using my head instead of my heart.

Thanks!!!

I tow a 248 with a short bed 1500 Dodge Ram. The 238 is a bit lighter, I see no reason why a Sequoia would not tow it. The only thing I am not fond of, is 2WD but if the ramp isn't steep and covered with slime, I don't see that being an issue either. As for moving it around with a Jeep Wrangler, I believe they are rated for 5K so as long as you are on the flat and keep the speed low, that shouldn't be an issue either. Just make sure the front hitch can handle what ever the tongue weight is.

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Brett DiMichele

I have an 05 Tundra and pull my 248 w/o issue. As Brett said the 2WD could be an issue in slime but having enough power is not an issue.

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Walter

2003 248 Vista - VP 5.0 GXi
2009 Toyota Tundra SR5 5.7L 4x4

Ok I have a 99 Vista 258, and wasnt planning on getting a 258. I wanted a 238 originally but the 258 came along at a better price than a 238!

One thing that struck me about the boat is the head. Its a porta potty type. Is there a shower in there? With 2 kids and a wife, if you plan on staying overnight somewhere -pay lots of attention to the head. I am a single guy and I wouldnt be happy with the head on the 238 you are looking at, as my 258 has the shower and the upgraded toilet (read not a porta potty hosed in) Also, Im pretty averagely built (6' 175lbs) and a 258 is tight sometimes with just my black lab that I bring out with me. I cant imagine having kids and a wife on a 258, let alone a 238.

Ive had a cobra outdrive on my first boat (a 20' Larson cuddy) and liked it. So the outdrive on that 238 doesnt concern me.

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1997 Four Winns Vista 278
T - 4.3l EFI
Kohler 4esz Genset
379 hours as of 8/8/21

Thanks guys. Looks like the 238 Vista deal fell apart anyway. We will keep looking around, if you see any smoking deals - send them my way