94 Vista 258: OMC King Cobra question

NiagaraChillin · **Posted:** Fri Jul 18, 2014 1:13 pm

Yeah, I'd go with the 238 as well. Sounds like a perfect setup for what you wanna do with it. Oh, is it a fresh or salt water boat, and hows the trailer?

22bandit · **Joined:** Tue Jul 15, 2014 1:35 pm **Posts:** 7

Both are freshwater boats, the 238 trailer is very good, the 258 could use new carpet on a couple of the hull boards.

ric · **Posted:** Fri Jul 18, 2014 1:27 pm

The only real difference you're going to see in the size of either is that the 258 has a bigger V-Berth area. The part that counts, the outside seating that you want, is the same. In fact, the length of four winns cruisers all gets added to their cabin space in general. You're not going to notice a difference in outside room until you start getting into a 318 Vista, and only because it's wider.

If you're about hanging out during the day there's other brand cruisers that have convertible rear seats that turn into sun pads, but not until the mid/late 2000s and BIG $$$$$$

NiagaraChillin · **Posted:** Fri Jul 18, 2014 1:28 pm

I vote 238. 13k is a little steep tho, I'd start at 10k...

LVChris · **Posted:** Sat Jul 19, 2014 1:56 am

ric wrote:

The only real difference you're going to see in the size of either is that the 258 has a bigger V-Berth area. The part that counts, the outside seating that you want, is the same. In fact, the length of four winns cruisers all gets added to their cabin space in general. You're not going to notice a difference in outside room until you start getting into a 318 Vista, and only because it's wider.

If you're about hanging out during the day there's other brand cruisers that have convertible rear seats that turn into sun pads, but not until the mid/late 2000s and BIG $$$$$$

My 96' 238 has a rear sunpad, of course I am missing the lip that makes it work...but a $40 piece of starboard and I can have it.

The other thing I would add is that a single screw on my 238 is not very powerful, I'd hate to have something bigger with the same engine config. Bigger than the 238 I think needs twins.

LouC · **Posted:** Sat Jul 19, 2014 11:24 am

Instead of twins which = double the cost the way to go would be a single big block and a DP either Volvo or Merc Bravo III. Big block = torque to move the weight, DP= improved bite on the water, much better low speed steering.
I never understood why the would put a 350 in a 21-23' bow rider and and not put a big block in a cruiser that weighs half again as much pushing 6,000 lbs.
Back on the muscle car era the performance jumped up when we went from 283..to 396/427....

ric · **Posted:** Sat Jul 19, 2014 8:02 pm

There's nothing wrong with a 248 Vista powered by a 5.7GXi DP. She will haul some booty!

kd4pbs · **Joined:** Thu Sep 05, 2013 10:34 am **Posts:** 350

Last boat was a '95 Chaparral Signature 24. 270 HP 350, and with the 3-blade SS prop, was a total dog. Swapped on my 17" pitch High-5 and the difference was night and day. There are adequate alternatives to a DP... just sayin'

ric · **Posted:** Mon Jul 21, 2014 10:51 am

Some guy on the Reddit boating forums wants to buy a Sig 240 with a 220hp V8. Told him to run away and never look back. So did everyone else, and I dont think he's going to listen and still purchase it. Poor guy.

kd4pbs · **Joined:** Thu Sep 05, 2013 10:34 am **Posts:** 350

Ouch! That would indeed be a dog. I guess if all you want to do is cruise at low speed, it's ideal. All in how you use the boat, how many people are on board at one time, etc.
When I was in the market to purchase the Signature, there was a guy locally with a nice 24' cruiser with a single 4.3 V6. I asked him specifically how slow it was and he told me he never has issues with it being underpowered. I laughed, told him thanks, and moved on.

ric · **Posted:** Mon Jul 21, 2014 12:12 pm

Glastron was famous for putting 220hp V8's in their 24ft cruisers in the early 2000s. Such a waste, really nice boats for the price used and they're EVERYWHERE. Would be a good deal if you had a 5.7 laying around.

LVChris · **Posted:** Sat Jul 26, 2014 2:03 am

LouC wrote:

Instead of twins which = double the cost the way to go would be a single big block and a DP either Volvo or Merc Bravo III. Big block = torque to move the weight, DP= improved bite on the water, much better low speed steering.
I never understood why the would put a 350 in a 21-23' bow rider and and not put a big block in a cruiser that weighs half again as much pushing 6,000 lbs.
Back on the muscle car era the performance jumped up when we went from 283..to 396/427....

Never thought of it that way Lou. I do have a mess of a time steering at low speed especially if there is heavy wind. So you think my 5.8 would be ok if it were a DP? I am not looking to go 60 mph...just want a little more hole shot and better control at low speed.

LouC · **Posted:** Sat Jul 26, 2014 11:16 am

I bet the DP lower unit would make all those issues better but heheh are pricey.

www.iFourWinns.com

94 Vista 258: OMC King Cobra question

Who is online