www.iFourWinns.com

no, it has a diesel inboard.

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1981 Columbia 8.7
2015 Yamaha FZR - 87mph - sold
2006 Yamaha GP1300R - sold
2003 Chaparral 215 SSI - sold
2009 Stingray 195CS - sold
2000 Four Winns H180 - sold
1976 O'day Daysailer II - sold
Rick's Four Winns H180 Mods/Upgrade Thread

It depends on the size boat and engines. Our 282 does about 42mph at WOT, probably similar with a 328 Vista with the 5.7L engines. Some will go a bit faster, some a bit slower.

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

Current Boat: 2004 Chaparral 235 ssi cuddy

the specs on my 03 328 Vista show 44 at WOT. I've had her up to 38 or so, I seem to recall 30 to 32 as the sweet spot. This year i've only been as far as the fuel dock, so my memory may not be the best. Decision may chime in, he's got a 328 he purchased last year. Love the 328, it is a wet ride in chop though.

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Michael Bova


"Swept Aweigh"
2003 Four Winns 328 Vista

Previous Boat
2003 Crownline 230CCR

I have a 2001 328 Four Winns. As with my previous boats I look for the opportunity to do a short WOT run sometime after spring launch just to make sure the GPS speed I obtain is reasonable with my expectations.

Two weekends ago I let her rip (after already on plane) on our way back in from a local sandbar for about 60 seconds. I obtained a GPS speed of 44.6 MPH. I was curious of my maximum speed as my wife and I took the time to apply VC-17 bottom paint before spring launch. We do record our obtained speed in our log book and will use it as a baseline for future comparisons. We cruise about 29 MPH at 3400 RPM.

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

Was the WOT speed slightly higher with the VC-17 ? Or about the same as last season ?

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

Current Boat: 2004 Chaparral 235 ssi cuddy

After our 2010 spring launch when we purchased our 328, I did a short WOT run and obtained a GPS speed of 44.0 MPH. Water temperatures both years would be about the same, 2010 had a slight chop to the water and this year the water was quite flat. So I would say it would be fair to say that with VC-17 bottom paint you should expect to obtain about the same speed as you would with factory clean gelcoat and that was what I was hoping for.

I did put VC-17 on our 25 foot Doral Citation about 13 years ago and also found on that boat that my speed with the VC-17 was real close to the speed I would get when my bottom was real clean without bottom paint.

You really can notice a difference in surface roughness if you compare a VC-17 bottom (VC-17 much more smooth) to other bottom paints. Easy to compare in our marina in the spring with so many boats on blocks awaiting spring launch. I think a majority of bottom paints you could expect a 1 - 3 MPH reduction in speed due to that paints roughness.

Don't mean to hijack this thread, just thought others may be interested in thinking about their bottom paint options, when there are so many different types of bottom paints to select that would be suitable for your own local waters.

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

Thanks for the update Mike. I don't think it's a hijack, zelena was probably just looking like we all do from time to time. Heck, he may have forgotten he even posted this thread.

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

Current Boat: 2004 Chaparral 235 ssi cuddy

Nope, I think the hijack was my fault. Sorry Zelena! (interesting conversation, though....)

Erik

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2002 Funship 214
VP 5.7 GX Si
2003 Tahoe

Sorry folks. Not upset re the highjacking. Unfortunately, my best friend's mom passed away and dealing with non-boating issues, but keep the advice coming (links are great). One quick question re a 298 Vista: were some with one engine and others with two? Thanks everyone.

All 298's were twin engines. Different sizes available, but all twins.

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2000 Four Winns - 298 Vista

OK since this thread is now talking about 298's....I hope Zelena doesn't mind if I ask this question. I've often heard the 298 give a wet ride, but I'm curious how this boat handles rough water like you might find on Lake Michigan. I am of course only asking this question to aid Zelena in the quest for the perfect boat

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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"

Not being into boating for very long, I guess it's hard for me to really give an honest opinion of a "wet boat." Having taken our 298 out several times on Lake Erie, I've not experienced much "splash" while underway. The other week we did a trip up to Middle Bass Island (20 mile roundtrip) for lunch and had one pretty good splash come over on our return voyage. Winds had picked up some, but it probably wasn't even a max of 2 foot waves that caused the wet splash. It was a hot day and we actually enjoyed it more than it was an annoyance. Beyond 2 footers and I'll be just as happy sitting on her at the dock and listening to music.

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2000 Four Winns - 298 Vista

The "wet boat" or "wet ride" is a hard term I think for a lot of boaters to put into perspective. As is "wet ride" as compared to what? This term actually put us off really placing the 328 Four Winns at the top of our list of boats to pursue purchasing as we heard the "wet ride" term applied to the 328 at a Boat Show from someone we considered "in the know".

Everyone tries to make a boating purchase based on what is really important for them in a boat ie; price, layout, style and sea riding capabilities. Some top end boats that are really good at planing thru the rough stuff are actually considered a "wet ride". Sometimes it is a trade off between a boat that rides thru the rough stuff well but does throw some spray back on the boat verses a boat that is a dry ride but pounds like crazy when things get a little rough.

I made numerous calls to Four Winns dealers and Four Winns directly about the "wet ride" concern. According to Four Winns the 298 was the model that they felt the term "wet ride" could really only be applied too and this was based on the hull design, specifically the width to length ratio. This by no means to me makes the 298 an inferior boat. Just one thing to consider in a bunch of things that are liklely more important to factor into your boat buying considerations.

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