www.iFourWinns.com

We are taking a 2004 Vista 268 out for a sea trial tomorrow with my tech. Boat looks very good for age and engine is 3 years old with less than 40 hours on it and about 300 total time on boat. I hope to find out what happened to the first engine. It has air and full camper top(some of the zippers need replaced) No trailer.

After the first look I was just wondering about the engine size(its a 5.7) if its enough power.
Its really close to home and can easily move to our slip only 10 miles away.

One thing I did notice is the paint on the arch is flaking off in spots like some rust is underneath. Also
a switch and bare wire is just hanging out on the arch about 5' level behind captains chair.

Any other ideas or things to look out for?

Thanks in advance

Derek

I have a 5.7 OSXi/XDP 320 hp Volvo Penta, in my 258 with duo props. It is plenty of power and easily planes with 3 passengers in the cockpit. Any more than that, and it struggles unless a few kiddos are down in the cabin.

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~Dmg
Growing older but not up
2006 Vista 258 " Cultural Infidel "

Previous
2008 H190

The Volvo base engine is a 5.7Gi rated at 280 hp, which I have in my '02 268. The boat does fine with that engine unless you put more than about 1200 pounds of people in the boat. At that point you will probably need trim tabs down to get on plane. Anything more than 6 people can get pretty crowded on that size boat. With 2-4 people I only use tabs to level the boat, if needed. Mine is bottom painted and gets about 27 mph at 3600 rpm, and about 30 at 3800rpm. FW also offered a Volvo 5.7 GXi rated at 320 hp and a 7.4Gi rated at about 375or 380 hp. This category of boat is not a speed demon or a hot rod, but it is a comfortable boat with sleeping room for 4, a galley, and a head. We have pulled a tube with ours, but not very often. It is a big boat for pulling skis or tubes, so it is not as nimble as a smaller runabout or ski boat. I often bring along a roll up inflatable dinghy and a 6 HP Merc to play with.

Have your mechanic look it over thoroughly. I recommend having a survey done. Good luck.

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Surface Interval: A scuba diving term for that time between dives to relax and prepare for life's next great adventure.

Current boat: '02 FW 268 Vista
Previous boat: '95 FW 190 Horizon

I have a similar boat 268 5.7 Gi-EF and agree with Surface Interval. Trim tab help, get the boat surveyed and enjoy. The boat runs great with two people and is a good weekender for two people. I've done day trips with four adults works out pretty good. It is a trailer boat and I like that fact, although I don't trailer it very often, I keep mine in a slip. It just makes it easier to use.

Good Luck.

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2004 268 Vista "Satisfy My Sol"