258 Vista. I think I want one

[frankthomas]

Currently have an 18 foot bow rider. 4 years now and we spend every weekend possible that Michigan allows us to on inland lakes with access to Lake Michigan. I have the itch bad to move up to a cruiser. Something to get me on Lake Michigan more often. My 18 footer is not great in waves much over a foot.
My goals with a bigger boat are to occasionally get a couple more people on board then my bow rider like 7 or 8. Weekends cruising up and down the Michigan shoreline of Lake Michigan with 4 or 5 people. Sleeping 4 for a night or two. Spending full days on the water with family and friends. Trailering short distance if I don’t do a put in service.
The research online I’ve done makes me think a Four Winn’s 258 Vista fits the bill. My budget is $20K tops so looking at mid to late 1990s on the year. I’m try to educate myself and be realistic on expectations. I don’t know anyone with a boat in this class or size. Opinions please. Thank you.

 

[mr 88]

" like 7 or 8 " if your talking adults you better start looking in the 30' class of boats. Don't bother with the towing for something like that unless you have a 2500 pick up truck and over width permit.Twin engines as well. Do not know the layout of the Vista but I have yet to see a cabin boat in that size fit more than 6 adults with any sort of comfort along with sleep amenities for 4. Evan a few kids will take up room .especially with there water toys.

 

[tpenfield]

I would also look at Sea Ray, Regal, Chris Craft, maybe a few others.

Check the Four Winns engine compartment real good. Look for wood that is lightly coated with gelcoat, and even signs of rot.

A lot of the cruiser style boats of that era have wood structures, and were designed to last about 20 years. So, you are looking at boats that are at the end of their design life. Not to say they are falling apart, but some may be in certain areas.

Check to see what the rated capacity is for the boats that you consider - it will be marked on the USGC tag near the helm. 27 - 28 feet is when you get into boats that are 'yacht certified' meaning that they do not have a stated person capacity. (not sure why that is, but something to keep in mind).

I started with a 24 foot boat, and then went up to a 33 foot boat. I have never considered my boats to be 'too big'. It always seems to be enough space.

Also with a cabin cruiser, there will be much more amenities than your current boat . . . those things will need maintenance and repair. So be ready.

Also, check to see that the seller/owner has the proper title/registration/paperwork for the boat. A Bill of Sale is not such a document. I've passed on some boats that appeared to be that the seller did not have proper documentation, could not register the boat in their name, and was merely trying to pass on 'the problem' to the next guy.

There is a buyers checklist at the top of the forum, so take a look at that as well.

 

[mr 88]

What is your operating budget per year , Insurance , slip ,fuel ,repairs [ DYI ? ] misc. ? Be wary of Mercruiser 3.7s and Cobra/ OMC for a drive. Mercruiser V8s or V6s is what your after if going I/O . There are a ton of boats in Michigan / Ohio on Craigslist that would fit your bill IF you stepped up in size , trying to sleep 4 adults comfortably on a 25' is next to impossible , unless it has a camper top and two people don't mind sleeping on a air mattress on the deck.

 

[jimbo_jwc]

Take a look at a 89 Carver 2557 Montego Mid Cabin it might fit you bill . Its what I moved up to for Lake Erie ,sleeps 4 and has all the stuff that makes women comfortable .Camper top and its livable .

 

[frankthomas]

What is your operating budget per year , Insurance , slip ,fuel ,repairs [ DYI ? ] misc. ? Be wary of Mercruiser 3.7s and Cobra/ OMC for a drive. Mercruiser V8s or V6s is what your after if going I/O . There are a ton of boats in Michigan / Ohio on Craigslist that would fit your bill IF you stepped up in size , trying to sleep 4 adults comfortably on a 25' is next to impossible , unless it has a camper top and two people don't mind sleeping on a air mattress on the deck.

I have a Mercruiser 5.0 with an Alpha One in my current boat. I’m real spoiled by that motor. So I’d only consider 5.0 or more and prefer an Alpha Three if possible. DYI? Not with the motor but with everything else. Annual operating budget around $5K. I hope that’s realistic.

 

[tpenfield]

So I’d only consider 5.0 or more and prefer an Alpha Three if possible.

What's an Alpha Three :noidea:

 

[Grub54891]

What's an Alpha Three :noidea:

I think he meant bravo three.

 

[Scott Danforth]

Take a look at a 89 Carver 2557 Montego Mid Cabin it might fit you bill . Its what I moved up to for Lake Erie ,sleeps 4 and has all the stuff that makes women comfortable .Camper top and its livable .

my buddy Danny had a '88 2557 Montego with the camper top. it did suffer from moisture like all 80's and 90's carvers eventually do.

 

[mr 88]

Couple nice looking Formula 27 PC s on Craigslist, Detroit and surrounding areas Cheboygan and Portage. 94 , has trailer,and from what I read a built in generator, which is a plus 22,900 . Sure you could offer 20 now and walk away with it. 96 low hours and trailer 24 750 . Probably get that for 21-22
I know it's a bit above your price point ,but a higher end boat for sure and both have mid berths that get you sleeping 4.
. You get use to a bigger boat fairly quick ,so don't let that intimidate you.

 

[frankthomas]

I think he meant bravo three.

I did.

 

[four winns 214]

In that cockpit, six adults will fit COMFORTABLY. If you’re OK with cheek-by-jowl, it will fit eight. The cabin will sleep two adults and two kids or four very cozy adults. You’ll find that the mid-cabin berth will be used for storage most of the time— canvas, PFDs, water toys, etc.

The minimum engine size should be 5.7L. With a 5.7L, fully loaded with fuel and eight people, it will struggle to get on plane. It will do it, but it won’t pop right up.

Despite the claims in another post, it can be towed by a trailering package equipped 1/2 ton truck. No wide load permits needed.

 

[four winns 214]

In the above message, the forum software didn’t allow a common boat term ending in “pit” to be used. I’ll try to work around it:

The open seating area outside the cuddy cabin will seat six comfortably and eight if stuffed in side-by-side.

 

[mr 88]

In that ****pit, six adults will fit COMFORTABLY. If you’re OK with cheek-by-jowl, it will fit eight. The cabin will sleep two adults and two kids or four very cozy adults. You’ll find that the mid-cabin berth will be used for storage most of the time— canvas, PFDs, water toys, etc.

The minimum engine size should be 5.7L. With a 5.7L, fully loaded with fuel and eight people, it will struggle to get on plane. It will do it, but it won’t pop right up.

Despite the claims in another post, it can be towed by a trailering package equipped 1/2 ton truck. No wide load permits needed.

What particular boat are you referring to ?

If you are referencing my boat about your trailer comment you may want to read it again. I responded about boats in " the 30' class " not the boat that he originally was asking about.

 

[louc]

The boat you're asking about is a decent typical consumer grade boat, not poorly built but if you are looking at ones that are close to 20 years old keep in mind that there is wood in the structure that can lead to expensive problems if holes were drilled and not sealed. An example is snaps installed for cushions on the foredeck, or an unsealed opening for the hatch. There was a guy with a Vista on the ifourwinns.com board (similar to the one you asked about) probably 15-20 yrs old who had to have the entire fore deck re-cored due to rot. At a cost of about $8000.
Also many will have the 5.7 Volvo SX combination which is in itself not bad but to me boats this big and heavy really need a bigger engine, preferably a big block but you almost never see them that way. I feel that with the 5.7 they are under powered and that alone leads to eventual engine problems. This boat really needs a 383 or similar size bored and stroked small block, preferably with a DP drive either Merc or Volvo.

If I had the choice I'd stick with a smaller much newer boat, no matter if its an I/O or an outboard and I would never under any circumstances buy any inboard with cat converter exhaust. This is a very expensive boondoogle forced on inboard owners that is a deal breaker any way you look at it. Think 4500-6000 if the exhaust ever has to be replaced. That's for 2011 or so and newer ones.