www.iFourWinns.com

Looking at buying my first boat which will be a Vista 298 should i get the smaller 5.0's with it, or buy the harder to find 5.7's with out it? I like AC and have 2 little boys 6 and 3. Do I really need a gen set? How hard to install after? I am an electrician and can do the install.

Thanks,
Luba

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2001 Four Winns 298 Vista
Twin 5.7 Volvo Penta GSI DP

I am an electrician too, I don't think the electric would be bad, it's the cost, it is almost prohibitive. If you want a gen, look for a boat with one. Mine doesn't have one, so I bring a 2000 watt Honda along...

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Current:
2000 Sea Ray 380 Sundancer "still Livin the Dream"

Past
2002 268 Vista 5.7 GXI "Livin' the Dream"
1996 Rinker 192 Captiva. "The Simple Life"
1999 Yamaha XLL 1200 Waverunner.
1976 Mercury Marquis tri hull 120 hp

With the genset, no question about it. I had a 318 for 5 years, 5.0s and the genset. Would have liked the 5.7s but the boat was perfect without them. No issues.

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2007 358 T-5.7GXi IB
Previous Boats
'08 H240, '08 V318, '04 268, '04 225

With the Gen Set.
Carrying a portable is a real pain.
Buying a Gen Set and installing is very expensive.

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The Dance II
2007 278 Vista
6.2L Mercruiser

With the Gen Set. You won't be sorry having it.

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Jnizi

2007 Vista 338 "Better Yet"
Previously:
2007 Vista 258 " Just Right"
2005 Horizon 230

I carry a portable Yamaha generator. I prefer all the extra room in the bilge area to work on the boat. It makes maintenance and repair activities much easier.

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2001 328 Vista "Nauta Dream 2"
AB Inflatable 10AL "Little Dreamer"
2000 248 Vista
1997 225 Sundowner


Mike

I am surprised at the responses about generators. Most people I know say the generator is the most troublesome thing on the boat. Mine is non operable at the moment as well. And Westerbeke parts are priced even more outrageous than Volvo, if you can imagine that...
Maybe they stick 2 "marine" words on the part to make it twice as expensive....

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--2002 3880 Regal Flybridge | Twin Merc 8.1HO **Seven**
--2003 AB 13 VST Console Inflatable | Tohatsu 40hp TLDI **Phish'n ski**
--310 Mercury Inflatable | 1982 9.9 Johnson

Do you run yours often? I ran both of mine every time we left the dock/didn't have shorepower plugged in. Rarely an issue.

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2007 358 T-5.7GXi IB
Previous Boats
'08 H240, '08 V318, '04 268, '04 225

The genny in on our new to us Regal was knowingly non operable when we purchased in the fall. Was still a great deal. This is my summer project to get running again. It only has 22 hours on it so I guarantee it needs a carb rebuilt and I know it needs a starter solenoid.
I know not running them often is probably the leading cause of genny issues.
Just making the observation that a lot of people I talk to that have them, have a love/hate relationship. Mostly because they are in ridiculously bad spots to maintain and they do need attention.

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--2002 3880 Regal Flybridge | Twin Merc 8.1HO **Seven**
--2003 AB 13 VST Console Inflatable | Tohatsu 40hp TLDI **Phish'n ski**
--310 Mercury Inflatable | 1982 9.9 Johnson

I agree with Firecadet, I have had less issues running it frequently.

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Jnizi

2007 Vista 338 "Better Yet"
Previously:
2007 Vista 258 " Just Right"
2005 Horizon 230

I think that the 5.0L GXi engines are plenty powerful enough, I run about 28 MPH @ 3300 RPM. I currently have a Kohler 5E 5KW built-in generator, given the choice to have one or not I would go with a Honda/Yamaha 2000. It's a nice to have but I don't run AC on the hook and I'm always rafted-up to someone, running a generator all night is not kosher in our raft-ups. I was at generator shop last week and was asking about generator prices just out of curiosity, a new generator with reduced emissions will run a about $10K, hopefully you can find a good used one if you decide to install.

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2004 Vista 298
Twin 5.7L Volvo Penta GXi-E

Bought the 01 with 5.7's and gen set

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2001 Four Winns 298 Vista
Twin 5.7 Volvo Penta GSI DP