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ric · **Posted:** Tue Aug 23, 2011 5:50 pm

As the old saying goes... we always want a bigger boat.

I really love my H180 but I find myself day-dreaming about owning something like a 268 Vista more often then not spending the weekends out on the river. I've spent a many weekends on 28-32ft sailboats but it just seems like they don't compare.

Has anyone gone from a bow-rider to a Vista? What do you find is better? What do you find is worse?

acguy · **Posted:** Tue Aug 23, 2011 5:55 pm

We went from the Sundowner to the 248, it's much better going to the lake for the entire weekend and not going home, and also all the extras on the boat like a head, and fridge, beer is always cold when we get to the lake!
We have 2 little ones and they really enjoy the time spent on the water and it's great they can go have a nap out of the sun

ric · **Posted:** Tue Aug 23, 2011 6:11 pm

I'm a divorced 29yo man. No kids. I like to date women in their early 20s lol.

I think the biggest feature I could see liking is the interior space to chill out/sleep at night. With a/c of course. I hate going in at night when it's beautiful outside. I live on a 500 acre lake so pretty much the novelty of walking 100yds to my boat and being on the water in minutes will be gone as it won't fit and I'll have to keep it docked in the river 30min away. Still, that's not bad. The St. Johns river is massive with tons of cool stops.

Winter Sux · **Posted:** Tue Aug 23, 2011 6:13 pm

ric,,,we went from an 18 footer to a 24 1/2 and now the 278 Vista. No comparison! A little more expense in all aspects but way more ammenities, the ability to stay all weekend or even a couple of weeks with proper provisioning. As Mike says, theres always a cold beer in the fridge waiting for ya.

If you calculate cost per hour for your time floating, you'll probably spend less per hour with the Vista. It sounds like you're coming down with a severe case of footitis bro. There is only one known cure :lol:

ric · **Posted:** Tue Aug 23, 2011 6:21 pm

Footitus... yep.

I currently spend around $250 a month on my current boat on gas and keeping it running shiny. Actual time "on the water" per month? That's embarrassing. I use my boat almost daily and I doubt I get 20hrs.

To keep the ability to stay on my lake (dock rules = max 18ft, but I could do a 20-21 without question). How are cuddy cabins? Are they just a tease or are there ones out there with enough room to be comfortable?

Is there something in the 20-22ft range with a full bed? I haaaattteee v-births.

LouC · **Posted:** Tue Aug 23, 2011 6:37 pm

I've thought of this a number of times, there are pros and cons to everything, the bigger boat is a lot more useful and there is a safety factor as well. Much more seaworthy than a small bowrider. However, the costs do go up considerable. You need either a tow vehicle that can tow 8000 lbs or have a boat hauler move it when necessary. You have to pay for storage in most cases unless you have enough property to keep it on your own. I think the biggest engine is a must in boats that weight. In fact, I am surprised that they even come with a small block V-8, the old 454 would be good power for them (268). So fuel has to cost more. All depends on your needs. I wanted to move up to a 23 foot Steiger Craft but the deal wasn't right, way more boat than my 20' and much safer. I would have to pay to store it though, but my 5.7 Hemi Jeep would be able to tow it at least.
The small boat has its good points too. I am teaching my son to drive the boat now and the 20 foot is perfect for a beginner to learn to drive on. Easy to dock and to put on the trailer.

but for your use ric, I thing a nice big cabin, is the way to go.......

.....

298VISTA2000 · **Posted:** Tue Aug 23, 2011 6:48 pm

ric wrote:

I'm a divorced 29yo man. No kids. I like to date women in their early 20s lol.

Enough said. Dump the runabout and get you the bachelor pad, I mean the cabin cruiser. As for the dislike of v-berths, get one with the mirror and you will change your mind. :wink:

Oh, how I miss the days of being single with the 298V. I wonder if that is why my wife won't sleep on her? :lol:

Winter Sux · **Posted:** Tue Aug 23, 2011 7:03 pm

ric,
our last boat was a 24.5 and it was just way too cramped. It was a Bayliner that from a year that they made the most interior space, unlike today. I've known people with cuddy cabins and they got footitis in less than a year and moved up. It's just me and the wifey and we don't have overnight guests and our 278 is just perfect. My buddy who slips next to me has a 270 Maxum and much like you ric, he's divorced and likes to entertain the ladies so to speak, does quite well :wink:

and struck out a lot more with his last boat, a 25.

aguyindallas · **Posted:** Tue Aug 23, 2011 7:04 pm

I went from a 2008 H200SS to a 1999 298 Vista this past winter.

Now, my needs may be different. Married, 3 kids etc. Fortunately, my wife and the kids are all boaters. They love the lake. We always day dreamed about having a cruiser, partly just to have a bigger boat that we could be out in all sorts of chop, wind etc...and still be able to be on the water. Anybody with a small bow rider knows that wind/chop make for a heck of a rough ride. The kids enjoy tubing and havent been very interested in skiing and wakeboarding, although they have done it a couple times. Tubing really works. Giving up tubing was a big concern when we made the switch. Guess what...we still tube behind the Vista. We recently bought a good tow harness and its worked quite well. Our 298 is really a pretty darn nimble boat and I can still throw the kids in and out of the wake. In fact, one of them got air this past weekend.

When we moved up, we made a short list of must haves:

1. Dedicated V-berth, not a convertible setup.
2. AC/Heat
3. Generator

This put us into a boat that had the beam we also wanted to have as a minimum. I wouldnt be happy in a boat any less wide than my 298. Sometimes, I wish I would have waited and got a 328, just for the beam.

Now, its time to be realistic with costs assocaited as that was a HUGE difference. I went from a garage kept boat (no slip fee) that basically only had the costs of the payment (was $365/mo on a long term loan), maintenance, gas and insurance. $50.00 in the H200 went a LONG way.

Basically, with the payment of the the boat at $410(on a shorter term loan), slip fee of $425, the cost of service spread acorss the year, its a $1000.00 monthly investment before I turn the key and burn an ounce of fuel.

I am sharing this (personal numbers) not to scare you or anybody reading, but to just be real. I knew my costs were going up, and I was ok with it. Its just something you REALLY have to analyze before you make a jump.

If going from what you have to a 268 Vista means you are in the same size slip, and its still a single engine, its not as much of a big deal. You will only burn more fuel, but still pretty manageable....overall, your costs dont chage, other than the cost of the boat iteself.

Paul I. · **Posted:** Tue Aug 23, 2011 7:30 pm

I never had a bow rider, being on the ocean it get to ruff for one. I have had 4 cuddies (a 19, 21, 23 and 25) and now a V258.

The 23, 25, and Vista have heads. Women NEED a boat with one!! None had HOT water until the Vista, ANOTHER great plus!

All of these boats are/were trailed. I store my boat in my driveway, so no cost there. I always needed a 2nd car, between the wife and I, so I have a F-150 & a Maxima. The truck is great, but we do drive the car more, better MPG. The extra I spend on the truck bets storage and moving the boat by some one else!!

WE love the V258 in general, we spend weekends on it and Wednesday nights to break up the week. you compare a bowrider to a Vista, 2 different life boating styles.

StirCrazy · **Posted:** Tue Aug 23, 2011 7:55 pm

Dallas brought up some great points. I'm a first year owner of a 298 and don't know $hit about boat maintenance, but trying to learn. From reading your other posts, sounds like maintenance won't be a hard hit for you, besides your time. And if this is your hobby (and not golfing

) then this fits you just right! I think you'd have a blast and enjoy taking care of her. Having a cold beer ready doesn't hurt either!

ric · **Posted:** Tue Aug 23, 2011 10:25 pm

I was just on the boat tonight, just got in. Had to come in once for the lady of the evening to use the head. That sucked at least it's only a 3 min walk. I don't need much room, I just need room. I guess my "wants" are:

A/C
Head
Fridge
A space inside to get comfortable in

The 26 foot class seems to have it all and more.

As of for now while I wet dream.. I NEED a bow filler cushion. You can't even cuddle on this dam thing without being a contortionist.

Cap'n Morgan · **Posted:** Wed Aug 24, 2011 5:56 am

We went from a 20' cuddy cabin, which we had for 9 years, to a 268 Vista, which we had for 6 years. The Vista was bare bones, no Heat/AC, no windlass etc. But servered it's purpose well. I would completely rule out a cuddy cabin in Florida, no A/C in that V-berth only boat will melt you. A 248/258, 268/278 with a stabbin' cabin would be a good choice for your needs. That is, if you are only looking at Four Winns boats.

Decision · **Posted:** Wed Aug 24, 2011 9:12 am

"As of for now while I wet dream.. I NEED a bow filler cushion" - Sounds like the lady of the evening left too early?

Mike.

ric · **Posted:** Wed Aug 24, 2011 9:28 am

haha.

Ya know.. late 90's 238 Vistas sell for mid teens. For a 500 acre lake that would be plenty of boat. Any opinions on those?

Also, is there another brand in the year 1995+ with a nice interior (rear bed) in the sub 25ft range for mid teen$?

www.iFourWinns.com

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