www.iFourWinns.com

Well after a close to a year of looking, and getting myself over a bad case of twofootitis, I finally settled on a 248 Vista. Funny thing is this is the first boat I looked at last year. A recent price drop by the seller prompted me to take a second look.

Did a survey and sea trial today and everything appears to be in good shape. She ran great!

Last thing I want to do before I sign is get the engine and drive checked out by a mechanic. Which brings me to a question:

Will the mechanic be able to tell me if the gimble bearing is good without taking the drive off? I listened very close today and put the drive through a few hard over turns to see if it made any noise and heard nothing. I do know that the bellows is showing signs of cracking but doesn't appear to have any holes. That will definitley be replaced.
Is it too much to ask to let the mechanic take the drive off during his inpection? I'm concerned because the owner doesn't know what he had done to it. He just paid a mechanic to winterize in the fall and prep it the spring. I talked with someone at the shop he works out of and it sounds like there are no records kept of what has been done and when.

Oh and here is a pic:

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2004 248 Vista "Amante"
MC 5.0MPI/B3

If it was me, & I really wanted the boat, I would come to a deal with the seller. Have the drive pulled, if no problems, buy the boat. You pay & have the bellows replaced. The way you are talking, it will need to be done anyways. If there are problems, he need to pay for the added expence or split it some how.

What year is it?

Thats what I was thinking. If everything looks ok, then I would just pay him to align and replace the bellows and seals before he puts it back on.
It's an 04. Current owner has had it since 07.

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2004 248 Vista "Amante"
MC 5.0MPI/B3

I have a "07" V258 that I bought last year. It looks almost the same short of the horn (after market) and air intake. We love the cabin, but the deck seating is just OK. The price we payed for it was too good to pass up!! It is a buyers market out there today.

Yeah I love the U-shaped seating. Too bad they got rid of that on the new models. I'm not crazy about some of the new styling they are coming up with.

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2004 248 Vista "Amante"
MC 5.0MPI/B3

I say go for it! If it runs good, just have a look over it with a mechanic, pay him the hour to join you. I had a 248, a 2003 model and that boat is the same color scheme I had on mine, I just loved it. I now have a 298 that I got last spring. I had my 248 for 7 years since new and it had the Volvo Penta 5.7Gi. I had no problem issues, I just did all regular required maintenance.
It's no big deal to pull the drive, and they can check the gimble bearing and change your bellows for peace of mind if your worried about it. I love the blue classic color band and miss this look on my 298, although all white is easier to keep looking good. You can't let the dark colors get oxidized and water spotted, keep it clean and well waxed and it will stay looking great.

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2004 Four Winns 298 Vista
"Last Minute"

I agree with the others..don't let the bearing/bellows hold you up if everything else checks ok. This spring I replaced my bellows and while the drive was off I went ahead and replaced the Gimbal bearing also. I didn't replace it because it was noisy I just replaced it for piece of mind. I think the bearing and seals were less than $100.00 additional for parts. Your mechanic will have a puller/driver for the bearing, and once the drive is off to replace the bellows it's a piece of cake to replace it. Good luck on your purchase..you're gonna LOVE that 248!!

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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"

Yes I talked to the mechanic today and based on my discription of the sea trial he doesn't think there is an issue. I'm just trying to be safe. So I'm having him look at it later this week. Also going to have him give me a quote for drive service and replacing the bellows. We will see what the bearing looks like once the drive is off but I may just have him replace that too. I'd rather do it now for piece of mind.

The Blue wasn't my first choice, only because it shows the scratches and water marks, but I do like it. My dad had a 1986 215 sundowner this same color when I was a kid. So it brings back good memories.

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2004 248 Vista "Amante"
MC 5.0MPI/B3

Thanks Bliss,
Did you do the bellows yourself or have a mechanic do it? I plan to service it myself eventually but would like to watch an expert do it the first time.

By the way, this boat is headed to Lake Charlevoix for its new home. I see from your blog that its one of your favorite places.

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2004 248 Vista "Amante"
MC 5.0MPI/B3

You could not pick a better place to keep the 248! Access to Lake Michigan for nice days, and a beautiful inland lake for days the big lake is rough. We absolutely love Charlevoix!! Even the picture in my signature is from Charlevoix Municipal Marina. What marina will you be staying at?

I pulled the drive, painted it, and did the bellows myself but I had the yard mechanic pull and press the new bearing in...with the drive already off he was done in less than 10 minutes!

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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"

Don't have a permanent slip as I don't plan on leaving it in the water all summer. Going to try and get her up there for memorial day weekend. Would love to spend the first night on it in Round Lake that weekend. Fingers crossed. Thinking I may leave her in the water most of June and July and just bounce around trying different marinas. I may spend some time in Traverse City as well.

I grew up spending summer weekends on Lake Charlevoix. It is one of the best places to be on a boat. You should come up and check out Venetian Festival the last weekend in July. Lots of live music, Carnival downtown, fireworks in the harbor, and a lighted boat parade. Let me know next time you get up that way.

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2004 248 Vista "Amante"
MC 5.0MPI/B3

Nice find! I'm pretty partial to that color combination though!

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

Welcome aboard. There are several 248 owners here... Nice boat, clean looking.

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-Tony
2016 Robalo R200 w/Yahama 200!

Previous boats:
2003 Four Winns 248 Vista - sold
1994 Sunbird Corsair 200 - sold
1980 Checkmate Predictor - sold

Congrats on the 248. Nice size to get started in the cruiser experience. Lake Charlevoix is noted.... might see you there this summer, it's a place we plan on visiting this year too.

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

Current Boat: 2004 Chaparral 235 ssi cuddy

What a beautiful boat I hope you enjoy her.