www.iFourWinns.com

Looks like a very nice boat. You will love it!

When we got pushed, gimbal was bad, I changed myself. Not a bad job, I also changed u joints, bellows and some bushings. I went with all OEM volvo parts, so parts bill was $400 ish, couple summers ago.
The 248 is a simple boat, very easy to work on, I think.


I built a simple stand for drive to ease removal and install. Search around, I know some have made stand out of 2 X 4's and castors. I use to pull drive on our last boat without, can be done, but what a pita!

Any, post more photos when you get a chance! Enjoy!

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

Funny you mentioned the stand. I already have plans in my head to build one. I built a cradle on castors years ago when I had PWCs. Made it very easy to move them around the garage and work on them. I still have it and was looking at it the other day thinking it would be easy to modify into a drive stand. Thanks for the pic of yours. Now I have a good idea how I will do it.

I'll post more pics when I get the boat home. Trying to take delivery this weekend. Want to get it home so I can start my todo list on it.

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2004 248 Vista "Amante"
MC 5.0MPI/B3

Well the mechanical checked out great. Bellows is in good shape. Just going to have the fuel filter and impeller replaced along with the drive pulled/serviced with gimble and U-joints checked.
I forgot to mention that it is a Mercruiser not a Volvo. I guess replacing the bellows is a little more involved on the Mercs.

With any luck I'll have her back in the water for the holiday weekend.

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2004 248 Vista "Amante"
MC 5.0MPI/B3

Looks good. I found out about the Merc being harder to service as well, oh well, parts are cheaper!

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

The bellows is a job to service on the BIII. But not really anything else. It's very easy to change the drive lube, zincs, rams' etc. For the drive lube you don't have to remove the props like you do on most Volvo DP's. That was definately a pain in the ass. Much simpler on Mercruiser's.

I think you will find routine service on the BIII's as being easy on your 248, and so will Fire on both his BIII's on his 2008 318 Vista.

Bravo 3 lube change

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

Current Boat: 2004 Chaparral 235 ssi cuddy

Well I signed the papers this morning and she is all mine now.
Now the fun part, hauling it the 200+ miles to it's new home. Getting ready to do a good inspection of the trailer bearings and brakes before I go. Good news is the trailer has never left the marina and never been dunked in the water. They always used the hoist and lifted it off the trailer to put it in and out. Basically only used as a storage stand.



Yeah I've been reading up on the maintenance and it all seems pretty easy other than the bellows replacement. Drive lube is very easy.

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2004 248 Vista "Amante"
MC 5.0MPI/B3

I liked my 248, had a VP so drive service was pretty easy. My main complaint with the boat overall was the engine hatch, but overall they packed a lot of stuff in a small package, sold mine last year and I kind of miss it. I had a 2006 and it had great build quality, a bargain for what you can pick them up for these days IMO.

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2006 Vista 248 5.7DP - SOLD
2011 Crownline E6 - SOLD
2007 Sea Ray 260 Sundancer

Yes the engine hatch is awkward to say the least. It needs another 1/2" to clear the seat if you try and lift it by the center latch.
And what is with the rear part of the hatch? Is it screwed down? I can't find anything about it in the manual.

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2004 248 Vista "Amante"
MC 5.0MPI/B3