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Hi folks, hoping someone can share some advice on a particular topic with me. I am looking at buying a year 2000 Vista 268, with a Volvo Penta 5.7 Gsi PEFS (280hp). It's a great boat but my only reservation comes from the fact that it is a single motor.

We do some open water cruising (we're in Singapore) and to be honest the idea of having two motors (in case one fails) does offer some peace of mind. I am a little uncomfortable taking weekend cruises to some of our outlying islands - which really is the point of getting the boat to begin with.

My question is this - what do people normally do for a back up motor on a boat this size ? A portable OB ?

Any suggestions /advice appreciated !

A portable outboard (like a 5 hp) is not going to move that boat at any reasonable speed, you'd need a kicker that put out more like 20 hp which is a big thing to have on your swim platform but people do use the smaller outboards that way. What I would do instead, is assemble a kit of spare parts that are things that may be common sources of engine breakdowns (spare fuel filter, belts, spark plugs, ignition coil, etc), if you have the mechanical skill to diagnose and repair minor things yourself. You can go the kicker route but its going to be fairly expensive and a small one won't cut it.

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88 Four Winns 200 Horizon
4.3 OMC Cobra-4bbl
2002 Walker Bay 10/2012 Suzuki 2.5
2008 Walker Bay 8

1998 Jeep Grand Cherokee 4.0/Selectrac
2007 Jeep Grand Cherokee 5.7 Hemi/Quadradrive II

+1.

These engine are very reliable once you are going. Usually, if there is a problem, you discover it in the first few minutes before you go out to see. In 24 years with I/O's I've never been completely stranded, but I did have a couple overheats that I had to wait on, or a broken belt (that I had a spare), and minor things like that.

I carry a set of belts, hoses, spark plugs, distributor cap and rotor, spare prop and prop wrench, Tool kit, Duct Tape, Electric Meter, Spare fuses, Pieces of electric wire, spare hose clamps (including the big ones for the exhaust hoses.

A dual battery setup would be highly recommended for your situation also.



I would recommend that anyone boating in open waters invest in an Epirb (satellite rescue transmitter). A personal Epirb is less than $300, and I know of two incidents in recent years here in Florida where an Epirb would have saved lives. One is the two teenage boys who capsized in the Atlantic this year, and they were never found. The other was several years ago where an NFL player and another was lost in the Gulf of Mexico and never found. A $250 Epirb can transmit your distress signal and GPS location from anywhere in the world.

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"Knot Easy" 2000 Horizon 240 Volvo 5.7GS /SX
tow: 2017 Honda PILOT EXL-AWD
prev. boats:
'87 Chaparral 198CXL 4.3 OMC Cobra
'69 Jetstar 16ft Ski Boat, 115hp Yamaha
'68 Aluminum Jon Boat, 3hp Sears
'64 Water Wings

Thanks for the responses folks. Makes a lot of sense so as suggested I will get a replacement kit together of the most common parts I might need. Any additional advice on that front most appreciated. I will certainly get the personal beacon locators too - as we have two relatively young kids that will be on the boat with us. I've never been one to mess with the elements.

Could I ask if anyone has a perspective on the life (before major overhauls tend to be required) for these engines ? `it's the Volvo Penta 5.7 Gsi-PEFS Duoprop. It currently has about 430 hours and seems to have been regularly serviced as she runs really well.

All in all though it seems I need not go to the expense of getting a rig with two motors. This tends to add about $30k to the price for a halfway decent rig out here.....

Many thanks once again !

430 hours is still very low time. The "hours" does very little to add wear and tear to the engine. These engines can handle 2000-3000 hours if well maintained. Age is more of an enemy. Although it's possible to keep them going for 40+ years, 20-30 years might be considered a normal life span regardless of hours.

Lack of Use is also an enemy to your engine. Running the engine frequently keeps it lubricated and dry. I try to run mine at least every two weeks.

A couple of the biggest causes of premature engine failure (requiring rebuild or replacement):
- Improper Winterization... resulting in a cracked block or intake manifold during a freeze.
- Not replacing exhaust manifolds in time. Allowing a rusty manifold to leak water back into the engine (Replace every 5-6 years in saltwater use)
- Too much prop pitch (especially in a cruiser). An engine laboring too hard at lower RPMs can overheat it's valves to the point where the deform (lookup "tuliped valves).

Engine accessories can have shorter lifespans, but can be replace easily.
Here are estimated lifespans of many accessories based on my experience and reading:
- Starter 10 years? (dies in a couple months if you let it get wet)
- Alternator 10-20 years?
- Raw Water Pump Impeller - change every 1-2 years
- Raw Water Pump Housing - last indefinitely if you don't suck up sand/silt
- Exhaust Manifolds 5-7 years if used in saltwater
- Thermostat Housing 15 years if used in saltwater
- Circulating water pump 15 years or more (change at first sign of leakage or noise)
- Fuel injection pumps... well that's an issue I'll let somebody else answer... I have a carburetor
- Carburetor rebuild every 5 years or so.
- Spark Plugs 7-12 years?
- Distributor Cap and Rotor 7-12 years
- Hoses 15 years?
- Belts 2-3 years?

Ray

_________________

"Knot Easy" 2000 Horizon 240 Volvo 5.7GS /SX
tow: 2017 Honda PILOT EXL-AWD
prev. boats:
'87 Chaparral 198CXL 4.3 OMC Cobra
'69 Jetstar 16ft Ski Boat, 115hp Yamaha
'68 Aluminum Jon Boat, 3hp Sears
'64 Water Wings

Rays got it right, if properly maintained the old school Chevrolet/I-O power package can last a very long time. They do need more maintenance for sure than outboards but the repairs are simpler. In salt water you have to carefully monitor the condition of the exhaust system. Mine is on its 3rd set of manifolds, second thermostat housing, third starter, second front circulating pump, second carb rebuild, second alternator.
I do replace the cap n rotor every other year (salt air corrosion) points n condenser when the points look pitted and plugs about every other. Same with the raw water impeller. New anodes every year. Outdrive removed and fully serviced each year.

Original parts: engine all original heads never been off, outdrive mostly original some bearings and seals were replaced just before I bought it.

_________________
88 Four Winns 200 Horizon
4.3 OMC Cobra-4bbl
2002 Walker Bay 10/2012 Suzuki 2.5
2008 Walker Bay 8

1998 Jeep Grand Cherokee 4.0/Selectrac
2007 Jeep Grand Cherokee 5.7 Hemi/Quadradrive II