www.iFourWinns.com

We have a 248 on our dock, there is a 268 on another dock, and on the J/K dock there is a 348 over there.. We didn't get her home to the lake until the weekend after Labor Day, and had her in the water for two weekends before she had to come out.. Who's the people you know (boat names are fine)..?

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

Since its taller than 13', 6" & wide. Did you have to get a oversized permit? I have heard storys that without one, your Ins will not pay off. I don't know it this has been brought up to you or not.

Agreed! Our seller was a every weekend boater until his transfer, so that's one thing that helps ease my mind a little. I'm sure there may be things that will show up here or there, but, as salt water boats go, she's pretty good I think/hope... The motors have the flush out system built in, and a neutrasalt system as well, which I know doesn't fix everthing, but it certainly should help.. Which by the way, that's got to go as well, it takes up too much space for the wife and all her crap! LOL

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

She has an 11'9" beam, and rides at 14'1" tall on the trailer with everything off the top of the arch. Yes, I got permits for everything, but in some cases, wasn't necessarily traveling within their constraints all the time (hours of operation or day of the week stuff), but 96% of the ride was all completely legal.. I used a company to file all my permits for me, since they are more familiar with all the things each state needs, and let me tell you, that's a big pain in the rear some times, especially you Indiana folks.. I also permitted to haul her to the shop, since I'd never been on that route or over to Raymond, Il before, and with the permitting, they'll route you for your height and width concerns.. I have several cop friends, and most have indicated that an officer of the law, is not in general going to mess with some guy hauling his boat home, unless you do something to deserve that kind of attention. Had a cop pull up behind me and friend one year pulling their boat home and changing a trailer tire, and he cracked jokes, and what not, but never once asked to see any of his permit info.. Still, I do it as legal as possible to avoid any expensive headaches..

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

Congrats on the new boat, it's very nice and I really like the 328 model. I have also always loved the classic color banding on FW's, our previous 248 had the same scheme as yours, looked fantastic as does yours, but I don't miss the work keeping it looking prestine! Good luck going forward, and I'm sure once you have these initial issues behind you'll be all set, awesome boat!

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2004 Four Winns 298 Vista
"Last Minute"

That makes a big difference in my book, regular use of the boat. You will always have some things that need repair, that is just the nature of boats. Once your mechanic (who sounds good) gets things in order, I bet you will have very few serious problems from here on out.
If it was me buying, I would pick an older 328 Vista without hesitation over a newer 318 Vista every day. I just prefer the layout, lines and solid ride of the 328 over the 318's I have been on. Even though dimensionaly, they are not that different. It's just how the whole package is put together. Plus I would NEVER even consider dishing out $100K for ANY boat. No matter what brand/model. The over used cliche' "You only live once, go for it" is just an excuse to justify such a large expenditure on a depreciating asset. I have always lived by this old saying, "Just because you can, doesn't mean you should". You made a great choice IMO.

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

Current Boat: 2004 Chaparral 235 ssi cuddy

I am glad it worked out for you!! I was more thinking, if you took a wire down. Not so much that a cop would pull you over.

I'm a partner in an online business with "Erection Specialist" (Reynolds) and he's buddies with Tarter, Wilson and Zimmerman. Tarter parked at the end of "G" dock in Findlay one night last year when the weather was crappy and was pouring shots. I've had a saying ever since then I'll never do shots with Tarter again. I normally would never do that stuff and that night reminded me why. They pulled into Eagle next to us and I wouldn't even throw him a line Nope...Nope...Nope. He likes to ride me about it too.

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

Cool! Yea Tarter, Wilsons, and Zimmermans we hang with quite regularly! Zimmermans nearly every weekend through the summer, and we see Reynolds 3 to 4 times a season, and we went with the whole crew to the O'Zarks this year as well for a long trip, and had a blast! Tarter sure does like to mix up the shots, that's for sure, I try to be careful around that guy, but he usually finds you! LOL We previously had a Larson Cabrio 290 named Weekend Therapy, was white with a Maroon top and stripe. That boat will still be on the lake under different owners (unfortunately, but that's a whole other story, lets just say, they ask lots of questions..... every weekend.... Wishing I'd sold it to them through a broker at this point.. lol )

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

Reynolds and I owned an airplane together. I have only met Zimmerman a couple of times while we were on the lake hangin with Mark.

I plan on being at Hank's in a few weeks. Hope your boat's not still there when I get there!

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

You and me both!!

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

One thing you also may want to check is the transom intake tube. #3862038. Its made of stainless steel and mine failed with small pinholes on both engines . I have a 2004 Vista 288 with the ocean series. Just a thought..

Heyyyyyyy! All *MY* crap, huh?

Can't wait to get her home so I can get everything put together... just in time to put her to bed for the winter!

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You can't buy happiness but you can buy a boat and that's pretty close.