www.iFourWinns.com

Afternoon Folks,

I've scanned the forum and found some really good information. Just purchased a 2003 Vista 248 and love it so far. 5.0 GXi (GM 305 cid @ 142 hours) Volvo Penta DP. Couple of questions:

1) The A/C filter. Is there only the screen filter behind the air intake in mid cabin? Is there not a filter that strains the incoming water? Some folks run their A/C all of the time, even when not at the slip. Is this recommended?

2) I have the boat in a wet slip. The cross wind is always there, which makes backing into the slip more than challenging. Any suggestions? I plan to put some roller fenders on the dock to minimize impact.

3) Anything I should check other than making sure the oil is clean and no leaks? Any oddities with Vistas/5.0 GXi/Volvo Penta?

4) I'll be mounting a Honda EU2000 Companion (comes with a 30 amp plug) Inverter on the swim platform with a 30 amp cable going directly to the shore power plug. Any gotchas on that setup?

Thanks,
Craig C.

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2003 Vista 248, VP 5.0 GXi-C, DP

Congrats on your purchase! Nice boat.

I can only help you with #2:

I can only suggest that you practice. Backing up with a single I/O is always a challenge.

I have my boat in a wet slip too with finger piers on both sides. My slip width is 9.5 feet and my beam is 8.5 feet. Not much room for mistakes!

Buy 2 corner dock wheels if you have the spare money. Or, use some of those pool noodles and slice them in half lengh-wise and you can have some inexpensive rub rail.

Backing towards the port side is always more difficult than backing towards the starboard side because of the prop rotation. Keep that in mind. So keep your slip on your starboard side as you're approaching Turn the wheel hard to the left so you get aligned with your slip and then back in slowly.

Go slow and remember to use neutral. Just because you are in neutral the I/O still acts like a rudder and can turn you.

Like Adam Sandler said on Happy Gilmore.... "Tap it in"

I get my 245 Vista close to the finger piers and then hop off the stern and walk her in.

Good luck!

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Vic
"Byte Me"
1989 Vista 245
Lake Norman, NC

have the same exact boat! she is an awesome vessel, congrats!

as for your AC there is a strainer in the bilge you could check out, should be just in front of and next to the port side of your engine.

I do currently what your suggesting with an EU2000. The generator is awesome. I am looking however and putting a shore power socket at the rear of the boat so that I can have a short cord while i run it on the swim platform.

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Walter

2003 248 Vista - VP 5.0 GXi
2009 Toyota Tundra SR5 5.7L 4x4

Our first year we didn't use the AC at all and we found some interesting sea creatures growing in the strainer in the bilge. We have those mussels that get everywhere. At the end of last season I was having some occasional shifting problems so the mechanic thought the cable needed adjustment but when we pulled the cover on the back of the outdrive it was packed with mussels. Now I know to clean that out every year!
I am another one jumping on the EU2000 bandwagon. I contaced seveal places and have the best price from Wise. I am ordering within a week or 2. I too am looking at mounting options and wiring solutions, but am very hesitant to play with electricity on land, nevermind the boat.
Can't help you with docking, we are on a mooring, hence the need for the genny!

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2005 Vista 268 "ALTEAN"

...

Welcome to the forum!! Your gonna like that boat!

1) As for a filter for the A/C, I use the filter floss that is just like residential Heat & a/c filter material. Cheap and easy to replace as necessary.

3) No oddities! check oil often, and look for anything that look abnormal everytime you get in the bilge, water leaks, worn hoses/belts, ect...

4)I love our Honda EU2000, use it with the boat, our 5th wheel camp trailer and at home during power outages, to keep fridge and TV going. They are awesome units!!!

see this thread on a example of install viewtopic.php?f=6&t=3777

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2000 248 5.7L DP
'92, '94 SXI 750, '08 STX 15F, '12 Ultra LX 300
Videos

Bump.

Looking for an opinion on whether or not it's good/bad to run the A/C 24/7 in a wet slip ... i.e. when nobody is around ...

I see many folks doing this, some say it's to keep the water circulating so as to limit corrosion. However, there seems to be no factual evidence of this ...

Craig C.

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2003 Vista 248, VP 5.0 GXi-C, DP

Some people run the AC to keep the humidity down and the cabin cool. Our marina does not allow it. We don't have meter ele. Just a flat rate for the season. I think it is being wasteful unless you have a high moisture problem, plus the added wear to unit.

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Inboard, outboard, onboard never bored
KUT 'N LOOSE
'99 258 VISTA

Just a thought, what would happen when the condensate tray over flows because of drain malfunction? This happened to us last summer while camping, fixed drain, mopped up mess, enjoyed trip!!! If that happened and you did not know for a week????

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2000 248 5.7L DP
'92, '94 SXI 750, '08 STX 15F, '12 Ultra LX 300
Videos

A lot of boats around me do this and I have no idea why. It's not like we have 75' yachts. If I turn on the AC when I get there the cabin is cool by the time all my canvas is down and I've opened my first beer. I'd rather not have the wear and tear on the AC unit.

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-Tom
2003 298 Vista

Good point.

Craig C.

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2003 Vista 248, VP 5.0 GXi-C, DP