Vista 278 MAG 350

hutch9900 · **Joined:** Tue Mar 22, 2011 7:14 pm **Posts:** 456

ric wrote:

I'm on my 3rd boat in the last 2 years. Say whatever you want but if there's one thing I learned, it's that engine size matters. It's the only thing that matters. Having an underpowered vessel can turn a day of fun into a miserable day. Sure, it might handle just fine without issues with 2 people onboard. What if you want to take the friends and family out? What if you're loaded up with 8 people? Do you want to explain to your guests that they must all sit in the forward cabin every time you take off? Do you want to burn a ton of gas only going 25mph when your buddies with a 8 liter are cruising at 35mph getting the same fuel consumption? If that sounds great to you, then a 300hp engine in a 278 is the perfect combination.

You have no idea what you are talking about. Just keep proving that.

ric · **Posted:** Wed Apr 02, 2014 7:39 am

Okay sure. Show me an owner with a 278 with a 300hp engine that can easily get on plane and cruise around with 8 passengers on board, because one already chimed in and explained he can't even get on plane with 7 and 6 was a nightmare.

If you can't put 6 people on a 27ft boat and cruise around without effort it's useless and a failure of design.

firecadet613 · **Posted:** Wed Apr 02, 2014 7:47 am

ric wrote:

Okay sure. Show me an owner with a 278 with a 300hp engine that can easily get on plane and cruise around with 8 passengers on board, because one already chimed in and explained he can't even get on plane with 7 and 6 was a nightmare.

If you can't put 6 people on a 27ft boat and cruise around without effort it's useless and a failure of design.

Ric - Cruisers are a completely difference design than your bowrider. All the weight is in the back, and then you add 6 adults to the back of the boat, and they don't want to jump on plane. You are talking many thousands of pounds more than your bowrider. My 268 had no issues with the 5.7 when it was myself, the wife and kid, but add a few friends and it'll struggle to get on plane. Same with my 318. With the family it is great and jumps on plane....add five or six more adults, and it struggles as well.

ric · **Posted:** Wed Apr 02, 2014 8:02 am

That's my point. Hence why you want the biggest engine available.

hutch9900 · **Joined:** Tue Mar 22, 2011 7:14 pm **Posts:** 456

Ric- Your ignorance is shown when you say things like, cruising with a 5.7 at 25mph and seeing someone else in the same boat cruising at 35. I do not give a crap about trying to cruise at 35 MPH! Its the not the style of boat that is meant for getting somewhere fast. You know everything in your mind and it is like talking to a brick wall with you. You do not own, nor have you ever owned a boat like this.......HENCE why you cannot speak with any intelligence on this topic.

I hope you actually get a cruiser so that you understand one day :wink:

. I also wish you good luck in finding one with a big block, since FAR fewer of them were produced than that of the small block.

riverratt · **Joined:** Wed Sep 18, 2013 8:42 am **Posts:** 10

Always get the biggest engine available. Cubic inches equals more torque at a lower RPM. This is exactly what a cruiser type boat requires. The largest engine available should be the number one priority when buying a boat. This is what makes a boat fun to drive. Why would anyone want a smaller engine?

ric · **Posted:** Wed Apr 02, 2014 9:10 am

I posted a 268 a month ago with an 8.1. It was in showroom condition, fully optioned, and very attractively priced.

I think you're confused. A Vista is an "express cruiser" meaning it's a high speed cruiser with a planing hull. It's not a slow speed trawler/tug. You personally might believe it's a slow speed cruiser due to your underpowered engine choice but believe me sir, that is not the design of the boat. A correctly powered Vista of any size, 24ft to 40ft, is designed to cruise and get it's best fuel efficiency at an average speed of 30-35mph and have a top speed at around 45mph.

Just like any other boat offered, you do have a choice of power and choosing a lesser horsepower engine will have negative impacts on designed performance of each vessel. You may not be aware of this, but the largest engine offered in a boat is not an "upgrade" and the smallest engine offered is not the "base" engine the boat was designed upon. All boats are designed with the the largest engine offered as the "base" engine. All advertised specs, load ratings, etc are based upon that engine.

Anything less than the largest engine(s) offered is actually a downgrade from it's original design and testing and you can expect to not get advertised performance and capacity ratings with a smaller engine choice.

Thank you and have a nice day!

riverratt · **Joined:** Wed Sep 18, 2013 8:42 am **Posts:** 10

Unfortunately, that smaller engine will also have to run at a higher RPM for a given speed. Higher RPM, among other things, means increased engine wear. Under powered is one of the biggest deception's that exist in boat sales. The OP asked a legitimate question about engine size and the best answer is to keep looking until you find a boat with the largest available power. It will be more enjoyable to operate and will command a higher resale value.

Cap'n Morgan · **Posted:** Wed Apr 02, 2014 9:50 am

riverratt wrote:

Hello all.......new guy here. My main interest at the moment is a V275 Vista with a VP V8 380. How fast do you think this boat would be?

So how fast does the V275 go ? Never did get your report from 5 months' ago on your first post.

ric · **Posted:** Wed Apr 02, 2014 9:59 am

Cap'n Morgan wrote:

riverratt wrote:

Hello all.......new guy here. My main interest at the moment is a V275 Vista with a VP V8 380. How fast do you think this boat would be?

So how fast does the V275 go ? Never did get your report from 5 months' ago on your first post.

Probably quite fast considering the new V275 is equal in size to a mid 2000's 258 Vista. It's only a 24ft boat with 3 feet of swim platform and 1ft anchor extension. Cheating bastards.

riverratt · **Joined:** Wed Sep 18, 2013 8:42 am **Posts:** 10

How am I supposed to know how fast?

Cap'n Morgan · **Posted:** Wed Apr 02, 2014 11:44 am

riverratt wrote:

How am I supposed to know how fast?

Same way the members of this forum would know when you asked last November.

NiagaraChillin · **Posted:** Wed Apr 02, 2014 11:51 am

Ok guys, everyones has had their say on who knows what about what. Lets try to get back to the original posters question. If not, I'll be forced to lock this thread. Spring is in the air, lets all have a beer and get our minds on the water.

Cap'n Morgan · **Posted:** Wed Apr 02, 2014 12:51 pm

hutch9900 · **Joined:** Tue Mar 22, 2011 7:14 pm **Posts:** 456

thats funny!

www.iFourWinns.com

Vista 278 MAG 350

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