www.iFourWinns.com

Closed on the boat this afternoon right after completing the hull survey and sea trial! 2001 Vista 298 with almost every option available. Only 3 things noted on the very, very thorough survey - port side windshield wiper doesn't work, 110 outlet in the cockpit doesn't work, and the sump pump for the shower needs to be replaced. All else is in great shape and operating as designed. Also ran the genset under load for an extended period with no problems. Now I just need to figure out how to drive a twin I/O, I feel like I only recently mastered a single. Good thing it's going to be a beautiful weekend.

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'01 Vista 298

Enjoy your new to you boat. Twins are not as hard to learn as you might think. An old salt once described each shifter as a parenthesis.
Port will move the boat like this (
Starboard will move the boat like this )

It made it simpler for me to understand what the boat will do when we made the move to a twin engine
boat this spring. Plus you have the advantage of I/O's over inboards, you can steer the I/O's which, but
inboard shafts are stationary. Only rudders to help turn, and not as responsive.

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

Current Boat: 2004 Chaparral 235 ssi cuddy

Congrats!n. Post up some pics

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

Congrats on your new ride!!
Now on to more important matters...where are the pics?!?!?!
You will like the handling of the twins and it shouldnt take you very long to get acclimated. When i dock just using the sticks I center the drives and put my left hand in my pocket or at my side, this way I won't be tempted to grab the wheel when coming in!

Enjoy, nice tip from Cap'n about the parenthesis!

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Michael Bova


"Swept Aweigh"
2003 Four Winns 328 Vista

Previous Boat
2003 Crownline 230CCR

Congrats on your boat purchase. Those 2001 models are good years.

I prefer driving twins over a single. You'll learn it is nice to have the ability to turn against the wind while being almost stationary or rotating almost within your own boat length while in a tight channel.

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

Survived day one. Managed to get off the dock without hitting anything and then back to the dock without hitting anything. I call that a successful first day. What I really need to do is grab a boating buddy of mine and spend a few hours around some empty slips and bulkheads and practice, practice, practice.

Pics are coming...as soon as I figure out how to post them.

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'01 Vista 298

Congrats!

Think I figured out this picture thing. Here she is on the forklift and in the water.

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'01 Vista 298

very nice boat congrats

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1993 Four Winns Vista
5.8L cobra
Surrey BC Canada
Boat is on Shuswap Lake BC

Congratulations, looks like the 268's big brother ....

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Gordon Arnold
New Hampshire

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

Nice... Great pics!

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Current: 2006 H200 5.0 GXI SX Blue/White
Previous: 2003 H220 VP 5.7 Gi DP
Black/White

Very nice congrats!! Keep those pic's coming

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Our Boating Blog: http://ben-dana.blogspot.com/

2005 268 Vista "Sea Pickle II"
1979 AMF Alcort Puffer
Previous:
2003 FW190 Horizon
1973 Startcraft 18ft "Sea Pickle"

I bet you were feeling pretty good while taking those pictures.

Congratulations. Great boat!

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Kevin
'06 V278
8.1 L Volvo
"Heart's Content II"

Here's a couple more....all closed up after our first weekend and then sitting on her new home in the racks. The boat on the top rack is a 19' Maxum....looks so tiny sitting up there.

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'01 Vista 298

Congrats, do you have a name on her yet? We're over here in Rock Hall and hit the Bay every weekend. Good luck!

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Dave
'03 268 Vista
Cruisin the Chesapeake
http://community.webshots.com/user/Buzzcut39