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 Post subject: New Vista 328 owner..
PostPosted: Wed Oct 03, 2012 1:11 pm 
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Joined: Wed Oct 03, 2012 12:43 pm
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Location: Tuscola, IL
Just purchased a 2004 328 Vista. Low hours and in imaculate shape. Looking forward to next year, and was hoping to end the season on her this year, but fate has other ideas, as we've already had some issues. Had her surveyed and that all went very well, and the seller corrected or had fixed some issues that the surveyor and mechanical surveyor found. Unfortunately, not everything was found, or didn't exist until we got her home. I had a trailer made for her, and we brought her home from Virginia to Illinois ourselves. Had her in the water for a weekend, and then got a call the following week that the bilge was running every 30 minutes.. Went down and looked at her, and saw a small drip coming from off the back of the motors close to the wall.. Had my marina mechanic go down and look at her the next day, and was informed that the Y pipe had a crack in it, to fix would require the motor pulled.. We used her the following weekend, and pulled her out at the end of the weekend. The leak had gotton substanially bigger by then. We pulled her out and hauled her to the local Four Winns dealer. Unfortunately, things continue to get worse. THey got the motor out, and verified that the Y pipe was definately leaking through a nickle size hole in the pipe. But unfortunately, it got worse from there, they noted that the transom sheild was also cracked, and needed replaced. I unfortunately should have maybe done some more research on my end, as this boat has the XDP drive system, and is apparently well documented on it's issues, including the cracked shield deal. According to Volvo, part for those drives are no longer made either, and there were only 2 of those shields left in the world (according to Volvo), and they were in Sweden. $1100 part, and $300 in shipping, and it's on it's way.. There really is no way the surveyor could have seen or known about the shield, and the pipe, I'm not conviced didn't "break through" until transport home, or once we started using it as I was out there twice, once to look at her initially, we did a sea trial then, and then once during the survey where we did another sea trial. The surveyor was in the engine compartment and all over it, as was I, and the bilge was dry, and I never once, on either occasion, saw the bilge run. So, needless to say it's all on me. Unfortunatly, the drive situation has me a little scared, but I'm hoping to get this one past us, and hope the other one will hold up for me. The mechanic crawled around and looked and felt best he could on the other motor/drive while the other motor is out, and says that everything feels pretty good, compared to how corroded the other motors Y pipe was. So, were just hoping. Unfortunetly, this process has pretty much ended my season this year, as by the time we get it back, I'm out of time to boat anymore (too much other stuff going on), and will need to be getting her winterized. Hoping this will be mean, we'll at least be able to enjoy the next season without having to deal with issues like this. Trying to stay cautiously optimistic.. Anyway, pics of her can be found here: http://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set= ... 629&type=3

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2004 Four Winns 328 Vista
1997 Larson Cabrio 290 - sold
1988 Rinker Fiesta Vee 248 - sold


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PostPosted: Wed Oct 03, 2012 1:24 pm 
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268 Vista

Joined: Tue May 16, 2006 9:49 am
Posts: 4989
Location: West Michigan
Sounds like you did all the proper pre purchase checks and survey's. Not much more you could have done. The 328 is an outstanding boat, and once you get some more time behind the wheel, you will be much happier. Was the boat in salt water most of it's life?

Congrats on your purchase, and welcome !

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PostPosted: Wed Oct 03, 2012 1:56 pm 
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Joined: Wed Oct 03, 2012 12:43 pm
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Location: Tuscola, IL
Cap'n Morgan wrote:
Sounds like you did all the proper pre purchase checks and survey's. Not much more you could have done. The 328 is an outstanding boat, and once you get some more time behind the wheel, you will be much happier. Was the boat in salt water most of it's life?

Congrats on your purchase, and welcome !


I will be the second owner of the boat, and it was boated in Salt water, but dry stacked when not in use.. And the owner was very meticulous about the keeping her clean, and rinsed after use.. Also forgot to mention, we will be renaming her, especially, being from Illinois, we can't have that Ohio stuff on there.. :D Her new name will be Naut in Rehab, my wife is a physical therapist.. :)

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2004 Four Winns 328 Vista
1997 Larson Cabrio 290 - sold
1988 Rinker Fiesta Vee 248 - sold


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PostPosted: Wed Oct 03, 2012 2:42 pm 
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Sting Ray

Joined: Mon Jun 06, 2011 6:40 am
Posts: 68
Great looking boat, we also just purchased a 04 328 and love it so far. Hope things will get better for you next year.

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Current Boat - '04 328 Vista "Be As You Are"

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'04 268 Vista
'97 238 Vista
'94 210 Marada
'88 175 Sunbird


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PostPosted: Wed Oct 03, 2012 4:34 pm 
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Joined: Wed May 27, 2009 1:43 pm
Posts: 762
Location: Lake St.Clair, Ontario, Canada
Congrats on your 328 purchase. Sorry to hear of the issues you have encountered. Sounds like you have the right attitude though, get her fixed up and look forward to a great 2013 boating season.

Our 328 will be lifted out and winterized in about 1 1/2 weeks.

Mike.

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- 2001 Four Winns 328 Vista "Hour Decision"
- 2010 310 Mercury Inflatable

Previous Boats
- 30' Doral Prestancia
- 25' Doral Citation


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PostPosted: Wed Oct 03, 2012 5:01 pm 
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Joined: Sun Jan 20, 2008 4:55 pm
Posts: 464
Location: Decatur, Illinois United States
Hey I believe we're on the same lake as I've seen those pictures before. Are you slipped at Lithia or Findlay? Where did you take the boat to be worked on? Sorry to hear you're not on the water and you're having troubles with your new boat. Nice looking boat though.

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2008 Vista 278 Volvo Penta 8.1 Gi 375 hp
1999 Horizon 220 5.7 GSi


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PostPosted: Thu Oct 04, 2012 8:13 am 
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Location: Tuscola, IL
Flyer51 wrote:
Hey I believe we're on the same lake as I've seen those pictures before. Are you slipped at Lithia or Findlay? Where did you take the boat to be worked on? Sorry to hear you're not on the water and you're having troubles with your new boat. Nice looking boat though.


Yes, we slip at Lithia springs. I hauled her over to the Four Winns dealer in Raymond, IL, working with Matt over there, he's been very informative, and very helpful. Seems to know their stuff, even though they don't typcially deal with this large of a boat. It won't fit in there shop, so he's doing the work outside, which makes weather a factor too, which with last week, put us further behind getting done, because it rained pretty much all week. We're just hoping this will be it, and it will be nothing but enjoyment from here on out right!? :mrgreen:

Pic of her while we were dragging her home from Virginia..

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2004 Four Winns 328 Vista
1997 Larson Cabrio 290 - sold
1988 Rinker Fiesta Vee 248 - sold


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PostPosted: Thu Oct 04, 2012 9:21 am 
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Shark

Joined: Mon Sep 10, 2012 7:25 am
Posts: 108
Location: Midlothian, VA
Funny Coincidence....That boat was actually on our short list of possibilities this summer when we were talking about upsizing. We had plans to go look at her one weekend, then we weren't able to make it and she was gone the week after that. Pics looked like she was in perfect condition, we were bummed that we missed out. I don't envy you having to trailer that beast all the way to Illinois, though. Your tow vehicle definitely has plenty of grunt, but boats that large are just not something that haul well, by nature. Our 268 is about the largest I would want to do over any distance. We actually have a slip upriver off the James and had been looking for something close enough to bring up by water. That boat was definitely a steal at what they were asking. Hope you get the drive issues sorted out! At least you have the winter to get ready for next season. Best of luck!

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2005 268 Vista - Sold

2001 Silverton 35C 8.1L Crusaders


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PostPosted: Thu Oct 04, 2012 9:42 am 
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Joined: Thu Jul 13, 2006 7:45 pm
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Location: Indiana
Nice catch! I saw the ad many times but never did make it to look at her. When we got serious about upgrading the 328 didn't make our list.

Hope there are no surprises with the repair!

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Previous Boats
'08 H240, '08 V318, '04 268, '04 225


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PostPosted: Thu Oct 04, 2012 9:49 am 
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Location: Decatur, Illinois United States
Can't imagine hauling that beast. I get angst over pulling my 278. Matt at Hank's is fantastic and has always been really helpful to me. I typically haul my boat there for winterization and work with him while he does it. He always is happy to show me how to do things and share information. He's a big guy and seeing him work on the engine and climb around on the boat always amazes me. I saw him carry one of the large Merc outboards off of a pallet and put it on the transom of one of the fishing boats. The guy is a horse.

Just this year I've seen a couple of larger Fourwinns as well as a few more 278's. I saw one in Eagle Creek cove but that might be before you brought yours to the lake. I saw from one of your pictures several people we know and hang with from time to time.

I'm sure we'll see you on the lake next year once Matt gets your problems worked out.

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PostPosted: Thu Oct 04, 2012 10:04 am 
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268 Vista

Joined: Tue May 16, 2006 9:49 am
Posts: 4989
Location: West Michigan
firecadet613 wrote:
Nice catch! I saw the ad many times but never did make it to look at her.


The OP's story about "I will be the second owner of the boat, and it was boated in Salt water, but dry stacked when not in use.. And the owner was very meticulous about the keeping her clean, and rinsed after use" sounds exactly like what you fell for, errrr, bought. These "steals" often don't reveal their problems until after a period of time. Watch where you stick your "Y" pipe Fire. :wink: Corrosion is like a cancer, you don't even know you have it until it's sometimes too late.

A 2008 318 is likely prone to any corrosion issues, simply because it is newer......

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One of 4 Previous (Sold) Boats:
2000 Four Winns 268 Vista
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Current Boat: 2004 Chaparral 235 ssi cuddy
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PostPosted: Thu Oct 04, 2012 10:35 am 
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Shark

Joined: Mon Sep 10, 2012 7:25 am
Posts: 108
Location: Midlothian, VA
Cap'n Morgan wrote:
A 2008 318 is likely prone to any corrosion issues, simply because it is newer......


This might be a dumb question, but... are newer boats more prone to corrosion issues? Why? Or is it just the fact that an older boat will likely have had older corroded parts replaced already? Inquiring minds want to know :wink: :?:

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2005 268 Vista - Sold

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PostPosted: Thu Oct 04, 2012 10:45 am 
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Location: Tuscola, IL
jgreve75 wrote:
Funny Coincidence....That boat was actually on our short list of possibilities this summer when we were talking about upsizing. We had plans to go look at her one weekend, then we weren't able to make it and she was gone the week after that. Pics looked like she was in perfect condition, we were bummed that we missed out. I don't envy you having to trailer that beast all the way to Illinois, though. Your tow vehicle definitely has plenty of grunt, but boats that large are just not something that haul well, by nature. Our 268 is about the largest I would want to do over any distance. We actually have a slip upriver off the James and had been looking for something close enough to bring up by water. That boat was definitely a steal at what they were asking. Hope you get the drive issues sorted out! At least you have the winter to get ready for next season. Best of luck!


We actually "stole" the thing I feel, which makes the repairs a little easier to swallow. We got it for substantially under their asking price as he apparently was in a hurry to get rid of her since he was unable to get to her.. We had the trailer made for her, and it's a beast. Had absolutely no issues hauling her home.. We wanted the trailer because we and a couple of our other cruiser friends (also larger boats) like to trailer away every year or every couple of years to somewhere other than home, and I like to pull out myself and winterize and what not myself as well.. Store it at a place closer to home during the winter..

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1997 Larson Cabrio 290 - sold
1988 Rinker Fiesta Vee 248 - sold


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PostPosted: Thu Oct 04, 2012 10:47 am 
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268 Vista

Joined: Tue May 16, 2006 9:49 am
Posts: 4989
Location: West Michigan
jgreve75 wrote:
This might be a dumb question, but... are newer boats more prone to corrosion issues? Why? Or is it just the fact that an older boat will likely have had older corroded parts replaced already? Inquiring minds want to know :wink: :?:


That was a tongue and cheek comment, I'm sure you knew that. Just poking a little fun at Fire.

It's a fact that all boats in a saltwater environment are more prone to corrosion than a similar boat kept in a fresh water environment. Old or new. Keeping a boat on a lift, in rack storage or even in your yard won't prevent the likeleyhood of corrosion occurring if you boat in salt water. No matter how meticulous you are on maintenance and washdowns. You just need to keep up with it. Boats that belong to "snowbirds" and are used 6 months per year in saltwater, are prime candidates for un-noticed corrosion to develop, simply because they are not regularly used and maintained, and are stored for a fair amount of time with knowone on them. Much less so if you are a meticulous freshwater boater.

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One of 4 Previous (Sold) Boats:
2000 Four Winns 268 Vista
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Current Boat: 2004 Chaparral 235 ssi cuddy
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Last edited by Cap'n Morgan on Thu Oct 04, 2012 10:50 am, edited 1 time in total.

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PostPosted: Thu Oct 04, 2012 10:48 am 
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Location: Winthrop, Ma.
Yes, congrets.

Sorry that you had problems!!


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