298 Vista

One of the best selling boats in this class, the 298 Vista was the right mix of size, space, and fun for plenty of family-focused buyers. She’s built on a relatively heavy modified-hull with cored hullsides, and her extended swim platform—strong enough to carry a PWC—adds much to her modern appearance. The 298’s plush interior is arranged in the conventional manner with double berths fore and aft, a convertible dinette, a well-equipped galley, and a standup head compartment with a VacuFlush toilet. Note that a sliding screen door—a seldom seen accessory on any express cruiser—backs the companionway hatch. On deck, the seat cushion on the driver’s side of the double helm seat flips up to create a leaning post, and molded steps in the console provide access to the foredeck via the walk-through windshield. Standard features include a removable aft seat, cockpit table, tilt wheel and full camper canvass. On the downside, the engine compartment is a tight fit, and the wide beam makes for a hard (and wet) ride in a chop. Twin 270hp Volvo 5.7L sterndrives cruise the 298 Vista at 25 knots and deliver a top speed of around 40 knots.