www.iFourWinns.com

'04 has a trailer, galv FW, and its in fresh water. Owner did go down to 40k before, but wants full 53k now. '06 is only asking 55k, but they are down from 69k where they started last year.

Now you see how hard this is. It's a give and take....I need to research the ocean series drive some, I'm familiar with the DP as thats what I have now...

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

When we were researching ... prior to getting the 268, we also researched the ocean series drives (the Rinker 280EC is fairly common with this drive, on the east coast). We did not need an Ocean Drive since it would live on a trailer and be a fresh and salt boat, with proper flushing after salt. However, we would not have turned down the right boat just because it had the Ocean Drive ... the plus is that it will also have a closed cooling system. The only real negative that came up ... other than an issue here and there, just as you would have with a standard drive, was that the water intakes can ingest plant mater and silt if you run in low water (close to the bottom) or heavily vegitated areas.

Notice that the 278 also has a NutraSalt system installed.

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Gordon Arnold
New Hampshire

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

I couldn't shop for a boat like this, i.e., across different model years with style changes and models with significant differences in options not to mention significant price differences. No wonder your having a hard time. It's an almost impossible dilema to resolve because the pros and cons are endless and the variables are too many. Add to that opinions from people with different uses different needs different locations and you might as well throw a dart on a board.

I've said it before that a genny and most certainly AC are must haves. Just my opinion. Not sure why people think the 06 will have better resale- right now it has no special options and is missing some. PLUS it likely has more of a depreciation curve to go through. Yeah it's newer style but it will be a old style soon enough. Do you see a big difference in the previous older models? I don't. And when it's time sell buyers will be comparing this with all the 07 and 08's out there with genny and AC.

Good luck!

_________________
Former owner of:
1996 Four Winns Horizon 200 5.8L VP
2006 Four Winns Horizon 260 8.1L VP
2007 Sea Ray 290 Sundancer

Current boat
2004 Sea Ray 290 Sun Sport Twin 350 Mags

Very true. I thank you all for your input. Like Cincy said, this is impossible. IT IS comparing apples to oranges. I wish my wife and I liked the style of a SR 260, for the simple fact is we could compare apples to apples. There are 29 '04-'06 268/278s on BoatTrader currently, while there are 153 Sea Ray 260's of those model years. It sucks, but what else can we do? If we get the older boat, it is more worn, and the chance of repair could be greater. The newer boat costs more, but has the nicer lines, no gen though, but the chance of repair is less.....

I will keep everyone posted...

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

On the 260 Sundancer ........

Single seat helm on the 260 vs the large dual seat on the 268 or 278 (can't have yer honey sit next to you).

You can't fully stand up in the head on the 260 Sundancer .... My wife can't even stand up in it (5'4" - ish).

_________________
Gordon Arnold
New Hampshire

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

I disagree, You can go with a older boat w/higher hours on it and it may be a much better boat vs. a newer, less hours, neglected boat!

The only way to decide, IMHO, is for you any your surveyor to step aboard each boat in consideration. You will have your gut feel about the boat, your surveyor will point out 'wear and tear' differences. Compare notes after looking at all three and go from there. It is great for you to look at photos and decide which one warrant your time and expense to visit, but photos don't tell the whole story.

I also think you need to narrow down just what it is you want out of a boat and narrow your search some, simplify it a tad more.

I went through the same thing a few years ago. wanted a 268 vista, but the ones we looked at that were nice had a very nice price tag on them, the ones we could afford, very neglected. Ended up with a 248 in decent shape, and knew exactly what repairs it needed before I brought her home. Some elbow grease and we have a very nice little cruiser. Only if I were in the market today!! could have everything and them some out of 268 or maybe a 278!

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

Will update this tonight with pics. I am going to look at my soon to be new boat. All I'll say for now, is '04 268, everything but GEN and ARCH. It will match my new fenders....

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

I assume yer going fo rthe blue 268, no arch. Very nice boat. I like it !

_________________
Gordon Arnold
New Hampshire

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

Well? We're waiting...

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2008 Horizon 260 VP 8.1 Gi

Sorry, got in at midnight last night and crashed. I will update this thread with pics shortly....

http://s644.photobucket.com/albums/uu16 ... 0268%20IL/

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

that looks like a nice boat, I like the colors!

When do you get it?

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

Very soon. Finalizing the deal tomorrow...

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

If those pics were at GSC (looks like it) I hope they treated you better than they treated me...

_________________
Brett DiMichele

Please make sure to get the boat properly surveyed before closing any deals on it.

_________________
Walter

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

So, this wasn't a salt water boat? Why the ocean series drive? Seems like it has some salt water residue and the trailler seems awfully rusty for fresh water. I know FW trailers aren't the best but it didn't seem to be used much so that's odd. Is it a done deal?

_________________
Former owner of:
1996 Four Winns Horizon 200 5.8L VP
2006 Four Winns Horizon 260 8.1L VP
2007 Sea Ray 290 Sundancer

Current boat
2004 Sea Ray 290 Sun Sport Twin 350 Mags