285 Express

A reworked version of Four Winns’ earlier 285 Vista (1988–90), the 285 Express is a contemporary family express with what was considered a rakish profile in the early 1990s (note the circular deck hatches and colorful hull graphics) and roomy accommodations. She’s built on a straightforward modified-V hull with cored hullsides, a relatively wide beam, and a solid fiberglass bottom. The 285 Express is somewhat unusual in that she was offered with a choice of two mid-cabin layouts—most production family cruisers this size typically offer just a single floorplan. The standard (and more popular) interior has a wraparound lounge/dinette/V-berth forward with seating for six adults. An alternate layout had a separate dinette in the salon and a double berth forward. Outside, the passenger seat opposite the helm rotates to face the cockpit—a convenient feature for socializing. Additional features include foldaway bench seating at the transom, good access to the engines, a molded bow pulpit and a swim ladder with an assist rail. Among several engine options, twin 5.7-liter OMC sterndrives cruise the 285 Express at 23–24 knots and reach about 38 knots top.