28' Four Winns 278 Vista Cruisers

Take a look at this 2006 Four Winns 278 Vista in Tampa. She is lift kept and has been been lovingly cared for by her owner. All engine and systems services are up to date. 

The Vista model of boats is Four Winns express cruiser line. These overnighters range from trailerable models to the stunning 458 flagship. The 278 is the largest boat in the pocket cruiser segment due to her beam of only 8 feet, 6 inches.

*Key Features

*Balsa-cored hull sides and deck

*Bow anchor roller

*Bow rails, welded one-piece, one-inch stainless steel

*Aft shower, hot/cold

*Stable-Vee® hull

*Swim platform integrated with hull and deck

*Trim tabs

*Aquaflex vinyl

*Electric lift engine hatch

*Double-wide helm with flip-up bolsters

*Sony® AM/FM/CD player

*Shore power cable

The boat's cabin is just right for a couple or small family. A convertible dinette at the forepeak sleeps two people, while a small aft cabin offers room for two more. The port side galley provides just enough storage space for a weekend cruise along with a microwave oven, and a single burner electric cook top. The counter top has a granite like solid surface with a molded sink built in.  Under the work surface is a refrigerator for food and beverages storage. The cabin also features a fully lined head compartment with flush toilet, shower nozzle with curtain, and a compact vanity with sink

Top side, the 278 has cockpit seating for four adults, a removable snack table and can convert into a sun pad. A mini wet bar is to port and offers up a fresh water sink and a removable cooler that is situated in a nook below the counter top. To starboard, the boats helm gets a mixture of class and aviation styling. Analog gauges are placed around the optional Raymarine chart plotter and below a Danforth compass. Switches are located on either side of the tilt steering wheel and there is easy access to the Sony stereo controls and optional VHF radio.

Jumping to the foredeck is a set of molded steps and a large windshield pass-through. The deck provides a good, non-slip surface and a slopping bow rail for safety. A pair of cushions can be placed here to maximize your sun pad potential and lounge space. All the way up front is an anchor locker and roller. A windlass is optional but makes for a good investment. 

So if you want a cruiser that you can haul to your lake or pond, but still need more space than the average pocket cruiser has to offer, then the Vista 278 might be the right formula. It's hard to beat the boat's performance and economy. Not to mention the amenities that are worked into the package. 

Test Result Highlights

*Top speed for the Four Winns V278 (2008-) is 38.3 mph (61.6 kph), burning 22.8 gallons per hour (gph) or 86.3 liters per hour (lph).

*Best cruise for the Four Winns V278 (2008-) is 19.6 mph (31.5 kph), and the boat gets 1.87 miles per gallon (mpg) or 0.8 kilometers per liter (kpl), giving the boat a cruising range of 143 miles (230.14 kilometers).

*Tested power is 1 x 300-hp MerCruiser 350 MPI.

Upgrades include;

* New dash panel in 2019 

* New Garmin GPS Map 942XS

*Full cockpit cover

* Volvo Penta remote engine flush 

Services performed in October 2020;

*New exhaust manifolds and risers

*New motor mounts

*New engine sensors throughout

*New raw water pump

*New engine belts and hoses

*New engine starter

*New batteries (house and engine)

*Full outdrive service including new input shaft and u-joint assembly and Volvo synthetic gear oil

*New oil pressure switch

*Replaced spark plugs, engine oil and all filters

*New trim sensors and calibration

*New bilge pump float switch

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