Four Winns Vista 255: the test of a Mediterranean Yankee

It has American blood but European taste: Four Winns Vista 255 combines the good of both boating philosophies. We tested it.

American boats have always featured a renown quality of construction and accuracy of the finishes, frequently as a result of “serial” production that in addition allows to have competitive prices despite transportation costs. Now the Trump duties have raised the prices, but Four Winns Vista 255 still comes at an attractive price, for European boaters.

Four Winns Vista 255: the test

The lake is calm, so we immediately go for speed test. Our boat is powered by a mighty and quite new V8 Mercury 6.2L 300 hp, with 21.5″ Bravo 3 propeller. We could try the top speed but we leave the canopy mounted so we reach “just” 38 knots, without a flaw despite the not-so-perfect aerodynamics. Unfortunately we have no software for fuel consumption, so the only further number we reckon is the minimum planing speed: 13 knots at 3200 rpm.

A small boat that plays
the big, thanks to the
best of two worlds

At the helm the Four Winns Vista 255 is friendly, sure the calm lake helps but the 17° deadrise promises good performance even on rough water. After all boaters know that American boats behave very well in any sea condition. As for the handling, the response of the rudder is prompt and the ergonomics excellent so it is a pleasure to pilot. Maybe somebody won’t like the dashboard which resembles that of a Cadillac more than that of a boat, but it’s part of the American way.

Four Winns Vista 255: on board

Wherever you look, everything on the Four Winns Vista 255 seems designed to make the cruise as comfortable as possible. Actually the boat can even allow some days of cruising, thanks to the cockpit and cabin features. The photos will explain more than the words, still we have to mention the versatiliy of the cockpit whose solutions allow to sun bathe, dine, water-ski, and sit on the back-facing couch. And, thanks to the little steps and an opening in the windshield, there’s another solarium on the foredeck.


Even below deck the habitability is excellent: a headroom of 1.90 m is a record for a 7.7-meter boat. To bow, the V-shaped bunk can quickly become a second dinette, while in the middle there’s a second berth. More, another kitchenette complements the one in the cockpit, and a door hides the separate heads.


As for the accessories mounted on our boat, we have to mention many: anchor winch, complete set of cushions, canopy, air conditioning and heating, two refrigerators, glass-ceramic hob, microwave, 220 V system and hot water, colored hull, and trim tabs, just to mention the main ones.
A small boat that plays the big, thanks to the best of two worlds.

The numbers of Four Winns Vista 255

  • Length overall ……………………………… 7.67 m (25ft 2in)
  • Beam ………………………… 2.55 m (8ft 4in)
  • Displacement …………………………… 2.800 Kg
  • Engines ………………………… Mercury 6.2l V8 300 hp
  • Fuel reserve …………………… 265 l (70 US gal)
  • Fresh water reserve ………………… 79 (20 US gal)
  • Berths ………………………………… 3
  • CE design category…………………………… C
  • Passengers …………………… 9

Performance

rpm   knots mph dB
800   2,5     2,9    60
1000 3,5     4,0    64
1500 4,5     5,2     68
2000 6,0    6,9    68
2500 7,5    8,6     69
3000 9,5   10,9   74
3500 18,0 20,7   79
4000 23,0 26,5  80
4500 29,0 33,4  83
5000 31,0 35,7  84
5500 38,0 43,7  75

Test conditions

Calm lake, clean hull, fuel 70 l (18 US gal), no fresh water, 2 passengers

Indicative price (VAT not included)

Four Winns Vista 255 as tested ……………… € 103.000
Four Winns Vista 255 from …………………… €82.000

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