www.iFourWinns.com

I've noticed that a lot of 238 vistas with the 5.0 gi engines are dp. Was the dp an option when ordering? Does the dp provide better on plane performance than the sx as well as speed?

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Alexj



1995 Four Winns Horizon 190
OMC 5.0 RL

I'm not a Vista owner, but you'll find slow-speed maneuvering far better with the DP. I'd find that comforting in a larger boat.

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Mike
2005 Four Winns 230/240
VP 5.7GXi/DP
1998 F-150 XLT
Boat Pic

The DP does several things better than an SX. It gets on plane quicker. Tracks better because it has less "prop walk" as Mike stated. A single prop with pull either to the right or left depending on it's rotation. Another plus is it stays on plane at lower speed which is helpful when running in rough conditions. The only down side is the added cost and increased damaged to the stern drive should you hit something since stainless steel is harder than aluminum. As far as speed (W.O.T.) I understand the DP runs 1 or 2 MPH faster than the SX.

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Fred 248Vista
So much water so little time!

Would the dp be faster in sog according to the gps?

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Alexj



1995 Four Winns Horizon 190
OMC 5.0 RL

I corrected my post about the differents in speed between the SX vs DP. The DP is a little faster than the SX on top speed. Your question about the DP being faster according to S.O.G. reading on your GPS is yes, but not very much, only 1 to 3 MPH. In my case I didn't consider the differents in top speed to be much of a factor. The main plus for me was better handling.

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Fred 248Vista
So much water so little time!

Best way to describe the difference (on a single engine install) between the two, B&W TV vs. Color TV. Can you watch the Super Bowl on B&W TV, yes, do you really want to, no.

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Jvalich
http://www.badcock.com

'04 FW 288 Vista "Mental Floss"

Any thoughts on possible costs for an upgrade? I'm assuming that it can be done since i've seen so may listed w/a dp and having the same engine as mine.

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Alexj



1995 Four Winns Horizon 190
OMC 5.0 RL

It's a bolt-on. You just need the lower half of the drive (and props of course), the upper half is the same as an SX.

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Mike
2005 Four Winns 230/240
VP 5.7GXi/DP
1998 F-150 XLT
Boat Pic

Any information on where I could get a rebuilt lower unit at a decent price? I was also told that for a good rebuild, I'd be better off replacing the entire drive unit because the price wouldn't be that much higher. Any thoughts on that? Is it a simple replacement, bolt off, bolt on?? I'd like to do it myself.

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Alexj



1995 Four Winns Horizon 190
OMC 5.0 RL

Howdy,


You will absolutely LOVE a DP! Especially the hole shot. I have heard that they are a little slower than a single prop. I don't think I lost any speed at all (with the similar powered Cobra) But it just ROCKETS out of the hole. And of course it's really nice at very slow speeds and in reverse!

If you were looking for a Merc I'd say have a look at Ebay. there's always 10 or more there.

Right now there's 1 VP composite DP on ebay for about $3500 or so. There's usually a couple of them and sometimes theres 1 or 2 DP lowers. It is just a "bolt-on". There are some Volvo DP lowers that will bolt right on the bottom of OMC Cobra SX drives too!
You have to keep looking. If you go to a dealer you'll get sticker shock!

The first thing you should do is get a service manual for your model. Then go to iBoats and ask for specifics in the I/O section on doing it. There's a VP guy there that works on them all day every day. If you give him model/serial numbers he can tell you the ones that will fit etc.



Hey Mike....I love your avatar!!


Cheers,

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1987 Four Winns Liberator 211, formerly OMC 460 King Kobra powered, replaced in 2006 by a 1997 Mercruiser 454/Bravo III

Thanks! I'll do that.

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Alexj



1995 Four Winns Horizon 190
OMC 5.0 RL

Be very careful about buying used. Drives are stolen off boats, you might be getting one that's hot. It would be great if you found one used for less money,however I would be very careful! Know who you're buying from before you buy.

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Fred 248Vista
So much water so little time!

One other benefit of the dual props that no one touched on is the ability to hold throttle in a turn without prop blowout. I came from the world of a 68/70 MPH (GPS) speed boat with a Bravo1 which I ran a 22 Pitch LazerII on. If I went into a turn with that boat, I had to feather the throttle so as to not ventilate the prop because once you ventilate you are done, might as well go to neutral and wait a minute for the bubbles to release from the prop. On the 248 with the DP drive I can hold the turns nearly full bore which is kind of nuts because it's a cruiser, but the boat actually handles like it's on rails!

And yes out of the hole it's a monster even with a small block!

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Brett DiMichele

The cheapest price i've found so far is 3795 plus freight, includes the aluminum props. It's for a new lower unit conversion kit. They'll charge me 800 for the core and when I return my core unit it comes to 2995 plus freight and props.

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Alexj



1995 Four Winns Horizon 190
OMC 5.0 RL