Four Winns Vista 378

[mmcguire2002]

I love my Sea Ray 340, but have an usual deal to pick up a 2008 Four Winns Vista 378 at an incredibly low price. It is powered with Volvo Diesels with Pod Drives. There are not many Four Winns on the west coast. Does anyone have any info on these boats, good or bad? All input and experience welcome. Thanks.

 

[Red Stripe]

At the end of the 2007 season when I was certain I'd be trading in my 260DA for a 340DA, I looked at everything in the class and ended up purchasing a Four Winns V358. A lot of the decision came down to personal preference (layout, ergonomics, aesthetics), but more importantly, I was satisfied enough with the research I had done and what I had seen first-hand regarding build quality and ride to move into unfamiliar waters, so to speak. I had a very satisfying ownership experience over three seasons with no issues to speak of. It was a V-drive boat, but the Volvos ran flawlessly. So as one Sea Ray enthusiast who has spent a lot of time with both brands, I can recommend Four Winns as easily as I can recommend Sea Ray in that class.

Regarding the 378, there is an owner on the Four Winns forum coming off his first full season with his pod-driven boat. I'm sure he could provide some real-world feedback.

 

[mmcguire2002]

At the end of the 2007 season when I was certain I'd be trading in my 260DA for a 340DA, I looked at everything in the class and ended up purchasing a Four Winns V358. A lot of the decision came down to personal preference (layout, ergonomics, aesthetics), but more importantly, I was satisfied enough with the research I had done and what I had seen first-hand regarding build quality and ride to move into unfamiliar waters, so to speak. I had a very satisfying ownership experience over three seasons with no issues to speak of. It was a V-drive boat, but the Volvos ran flawlessly. So as one Sea Ray enthusiast who has spent a lot of time with both brands, I can recommend Four Winns as easily as I can recommend Sea Ray in that class.

Regarding the 378, there is an owner on the Four Winns forum coming off his first full season with his pod-driven boat. I'm sure he could provide some real-world feedback.

Thank you for that feedback. Can you provide a link to the website/owner? I appreciate the help.

 

[dpmulvey]

I've been on one but only on land. You are gaining interior room because access to the foredeck is via the windshield. Something to consider if you have to get to a spring line.

The interior room is great. The fit and finish is great.

I love the room in the cockpit, however felt somewhat alone at the helm.

ER access is much better than my 330....What isn't!!

The swim platform might as well have been a dance floor.

Overall I was quite impressed. I would love to drive one in some snot though.

I have seen a few in central VA. I notice the swim platform is VERY high off the water. Unless you have a 4-5 step ladder, getting aboard after a swim may prove a bit challenging.

 

[Big Island Lifer]

Just a thought...

When was the first year that the pods were used in that boat?

What were some of the problems that they had with that new configuration?

It looks like a great boat. Just make sure to investigate it as much as you can.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[mmcguire2002]

We have a few Four Winns owners here. They've always been very supportive of the brand. I would think that Four Winns is more comparable to a Sea Ray than other brands such as Bayliner (obviously), Larson, Rinker, Regal and such.

Personally, Four Winns, Tiara and Formula are on the short list of express cruiser boat manufacturers I would consider owning.

(Regal probably should be at the same level as Four Winns, but I hate their designs.....)

Funny you say that about the design of Regals...I'm struggling a little bit with the lines on the Four Winns. I think my current Sea Ray is actually a prettier boat, but having diesels, much less pods and a hard top are pretty attractive to me. I put a lot of hours on the boat every year.

 

[mmcguire2002]

Just a thought...

When was the first year that the pods were used in that boat?

What were some of the problems that they had with that new configuration?



It looks like a great boat. Just make sure to investigate it as much as you can.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

From what I can tell, pods were introduced on this line a few years earlier. This boat is not heavily used, but is well maintained and has had no issues so far with the pods. It is a family friend looking to get rid of it to move up to a larger boat, so I'm confident in the service history and statements of no issues. Good point to look into though. Thanks.

 

[firecadet613]

As a Four Winns owner I am biased, but it is a very well made boat. I've toured the factory and keep in touch with some in the know.

I've got a 268, similar to a 260. We've been in some pretty rough stuff on Lake Michigan, and the boat did great.

As with any used boat, make sure you get a survey.

Good luck and lets see some pics!

 

[deniska]

Very nice boat and you are gurnateed to love the volvo ips system.. speaking from personal experience as I would never go back to v drives after pods

 

[bigblockcutlass]

There all over here in Michigan, but there built here too. I have own two of them, older and smaller, Also have own two sea ray's I some time wonder if there not a better boat.

 

[Summer Fun II]

My friend Bob is looking at getting one also.

 

[Dsybok]

Before we got our 320 I looked at the 378 Vista in Huntington Beach thats been for sale for a while, with 8.1 Volvo V Drives, it was in every measurable way completely comparable to a Sea Ray. Nicer obviously than a 320DA or 340DA, different class of boat, and maybe not as nice as a 390DA if you were talking apples to apples.

That boat was overpriced at $169k back in May and is still overpriced I think in this market at $149k now, but it was a sweet ride. A relative has a 24' Four Winns lake boat in NH and loves it.