1997 Vista 278

elusive · **Joined:** Sun Apr 22, 2012 9:27 am **Posts:** 2

I am considering the purchase of a 1997 Vista 278. Dual Volvo 5.7 w/SX drives. Wife and two kids looking for a camper on the water. Anyone have any advice or things to look out for on this year/model?

alanurt · **Posted:** Sun Apr 22, 2012 12:25 pm

First boat? I/O's are a lot of work to maintain. They are a necessary evil in that style boat, however. I would be very careful on buying a boat with 15 year-old raw water cooled (assuming) motors. Have them compression tested, have the outdrives pressure tested, find out the last time the manifolds and risers were changed, when were the bellows and gimbal bearing changed, have the starters ever been replaced? Time is more of an enemy for these motors than hours are, so don't be fooled by any "low hour" claim. Personally, I wouldn't go near it unless I knew how it was maintained and there was plenty of documentation. You'd be better off with something a little older, bigger and with fresh water cooled inboards.

acguy · **Posted:** Sun Apr 22, 2012 1:14 pm

If it's a fresh water boat, manifold and risers are less of an issue, if you are serious have a survey done. there are lots of boats of there that are cared for and also lots that are not.
I am sure a few will chime in here there are several regulars with that model here

Good Luck

Winter Sux · **Posted:** Sun Apr 22, 2012 2:47 pm

Both replies above are good. I have a 95 278 Vista and love it. I will admit that for a boat of it's size they don't have as much interior room as some boats but adequate. Lots of storage space though. I'm over 6 feet and this boat has plenty of head room. I like the layout as well.

I bought mine a year ago and it came with service records from day 1 and a survey was included. I'm a licenced tech so I did my own mechanical inspection. I'd recommend you get one along with a survey.

Best of luck and keep us posted.

John :mrgreen:

elusive · **Joined:** Sun Apr 22, 2012 9:27 am **Posts:** 2

This would be my second boat. The first was a 96' Horizon 200 (Volvo 5.0 w/Penta SX) that gave four fun filled seasons with no problems. I figure when my kids get older they will want to tube, ski, wakeboard..etc. so we will probably move back down to a boat of that nature. But for now the cruiser would be the most fun.

Thanks for the advice on inspections and surveys...How much should I expect to pay for such services? This Vista looks in good shape with low hours. Fresh water boat no bottom paint and lift kept.

I like the advice of older bigger w/ fresh water inboards but i am not a mechanic and i do not want to work on it. I assume something like this in my price range 25k would take more time and money to maintain/operate?

alanurt · **Posted:** Mon Apr 23, 2012 7:08 am

Maintenance of straight inboards would be cheaper than I/O's. You would pay more in fuel but if you're mainly using it as a summer house at the marina, I wouldn't worry so much about that. This is just an example of what I'm talking about:

http://www.boattrader.com/listing/1989- ... s-99431925

I do like the fact that the boat you are looking at is fresh water and lift kept, but it's always smart to survey any boat you buy.

Winter Sux · **Posted:** Mon Apr 23, 2012 5:52 pm

Inboards, stern drives,,,,6 of one,,,half dozen of the other. Inboards have stuffing boxes, heat exchangers, cutlass bearings that are forgotton but need attention as well. Proper maintenance will keep costs down on either,,,just some food for thought.

ric · **Posted:** Mon Apr 23, 2012 6:21 pm

I/O's are easy to take care of and never break if you follow common sense and owners manuals.

www.iFourWinns.com

1997 Vista 278

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