www.iFourWinns.com

Hi... first time on the forum.

I'm thinking about purchasing a 2000 Vista 268. It comes with heat/ac and dual props and the volvo 5.7 gsi 250 hp engine.

I'm looking for any words of wisdom or warning.

The owner supplied me with the survey report that he received when he bought the boat a year earlier and it was rated as being in "very good" condition with only a handful of minor corrections recommended.

I have owned and operated other boats in the past. But this will be the biggest and my first cruiser. I'll be operating it off the Kanawha River in Charleston, WV. I'd appreciate any thoughts any of you might have.

Thanks in advance,

Mike

The engine sounds like a good match to that boat!

If you have a good marine survey from within the last year, and you can be sure that the current owner has taken great care of the boat, it's probably fairly trustworthy.

You could spend some money on another survey. If it were me, I'd try to understand the reason the owner is selling and then spend that survey money on a full round of maintenance (engine tune up/oil change, Drive service, etc.). Your mechanic would also tell you at that time if there is anything of concern.

If I was in the market for a used boat and was purchasing privately - I'd want a full mechanical service and inspection included as part of the purchase price. It's good for the current owner to do anyway, and a total peace of mind item for the prospective buyer.

My .02

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2008 318 Vista -SOLD, but I am still around!
All Night Long, Seattle WA

We have owned our 2000 268 for 5 years now. It's been a great boat for us. I have had to do nothing but routine maintenance on it over the years. I think you will find that the Volvo DP in a 2000 268 is rated at a conservative 280hp. We have not found her to be underpowered in any of our experiences.

You will enjoy the boat, I'm confident of that. If you have any specific questions, go ahead and ask, there are several 268 owners on this board with lots of experience to tap.

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

Current Boat: 2004 Chaparral 235 ssi cuddy

We just got our 2000 268 in November, we love it so far. I only wish there was a bit more storage on the deck for bumpers, lines and stuff like that.

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2000 268 Vista "Reely Nauti"
http://www.facebook.com/#!/rivercruiser

Mike,

If the engine is the 5.7 GSi, then it will be the 280hp fuel injected version (vs the 250hp carbureted GS version). If this is the case, we have found that this is plenty of power for almost any need. Plus, with trim tabs, even a heavy load can be managed.

The previously mentioned thouights of a pre-purchase inspection are well founded, and just plain wise.

Keep an eye on your purchase price, unfortunately for sellers, now is a great time to be buying a boat.

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Gordon Arnold
New Hampshire

2003 268 Vista ..................................................................Prior: 97 245 Sundowner

In 2000 there was a 5.7 GS 250 hp DP and a 5.7 GSi 280 hp DP version. Here is the link to the FW spec for that year.

http://assets1.fourwinnsmarketing.com/p ... 0(p116-119).pdf

I have an 03 with the 280 hp DP and found it lacking alittle with 6 adults on board getting on plane. Definalty need to use the tabs. Grantated I added a generator @ approx 300# (100# heavier than the kohler that FW would have factory installed)

In general we love the boat, and the boating lifestyle go every weekend possible, my issue is with my wife and I and 2 teenage boys, it is alittle cramped, we would love to move alittle, just for the space.

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Jeff

'14 Cruisers 380 Express "Simon Sez"
Merc 8.2 Mag MPI 380
DTS B3X, (x2) Axius Premier


(SOLD)
'08 V318
Merc 350 Mag MPI 300
DTS Seacore, B3 (x2)

I have a 2000 GSI (280 hp)5.7L in our 248, I am boating at a little higher elevation, and I find it to be underpowered for any kind of towing, but for cruising it is fine. When loaded down for a week of camping, she really struggles to crawl up on plane.

The 248/268 is a great towable cruiser, you will enjoy!!!

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

Powellcrazy, I also have the same size boat and engine and find it to have plenty of power for towing or cruising. Just wondering just how much your higher elevation effects performance?

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Fred 248Vista
So much water so little time!

I can not answer exact performance decrease for every 1000ft of elevation gain, but with our last boat we thought it doubled in power from park city (6500 ft) to lake mead (las vegas 1200 ft).
I once heard or read somewhere that performace is affected 5% /1000ft, but I do know that my boat runs ok at powell (3700 ft) vs lakes at home around 6500-6800.

We do very much love our boat, but ended up getting a 3 man PWC with 1500cc 4stroke 160 hp tow boat, to double as a dingy and to tow kids on tube, skis, knee, or wake board. Boat burns 20 gal/hr, jet ski 3 gal/hr.

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

Thanks for all your comments. The current owner, who bought last year, had a inspection survey done on the boat which he shared with me. It's a year old, but the surveyor found the boat to be in "very good" condition. He had a couple of "immediate attention" items listed like getting the CO2 sensors up to date... but nothing that looked heart stopping. I'll still probably get my own.

I'm curious as to what you think a fair price is for the boat? It does not come with a trailer so I'd need to get it delivered. It does have heat and air but no generator.