www.iFourWinns.com

Love our 278. You've just described mine!

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2008 Vista 278 Volvo Penta 8.1 Gi 375 hp
1999 Horizon 220 5.7 GSi

Twin 5.7's?! (Insert drooling emoticon here, LOL). Are your 350's EFI or carbed?
I shouldnt really complain, my 4.3's are EFI and this past weekend I had myself, the first mate and a friend on board for a 3-night weekend on the boat. The freshwater and gas tanks were full, we had enough gear to last for a trip through the Sahara. Got right up on plane with no delay and cruised around 31-32mph at 3200RPMs! Shes a pleaser.

I dont have a windlass but for some reason Four Winns did install all the necessary control panel and wiring harness (complete with stainless steel plate on the anchor locker) for a Guest spotlight. Why they just didnt go ahead and put the spotlight in after going through all that hassle is beyond me.....

Mine did come with the Four Winns snap-on bow cushions, the pillow package, 4kw generator, bilge gas fume sniffer. No a/c or windlass. I also have three hatches in the cabin. I think the 2 small ones were an optional add-on, I dont remember.

And yes, the Kohler generator - as much of a PITA as it has been (I joke that every time I press the "start" button, it costs me $100!), its a GREAT feature to have on the hook, as we overnight 2-3-4-5-6-7 days at a time out on beautiful Lake St. Clair. Its been a LIFE saver. We bring a toaster oven and make pizzas! Take that weekend warriors, hehe.

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1997 Four Winns Vista 278
T - 4.3l EFI
Kohler 4esz Genset
379 hours as of 8/8/21

The wiring for the spot light and windlass are installed before the top half of the boat is joined to the hull. Could not be simpler for Four Winns to do it then, not a hassle at all. Spotlight and Windlass are options, and not all boats are equipped with them. But the wiring is there if they want to be added later.

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2005 H200

I dont know if that idea/logic is linear.... although it does make sense. Ive heard of similar things with cars when they are manufactured.

But.....
My 1999 Vista 258 also had the option of a spotlight. It was not pre-wired, nor did I have a panel already installed. We had to run wiring from the helm to the anchor locker on that one...

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1997 Four Winns Vista 278
T - 4.3l EFI
Kohler 4esz Genset
379 hours as of 8/8/21

Vista's now matter the size are great looking boats. At my Marina, they are slowly gathering steam on once giants, Regal and Cruisers. BTW that Blue hull looks killer!!!

Cheers from Lake Simcoe

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Vista 318 2007

I have a 278 Vista. This will be my 14th. season on it. I have been very happy with it. We have been all over the Great Lakes with this boat. Dan

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Current Boat: 1994 278 Four Winns Vista

I run a 1996 278 Vista on Lake St. Claire in Michigan.

they are throttle body injected. With the 5.7's it will do mid 40's. although i haven't really pushed it yet and not sure im going too. At those speeds the fuel consumption is just as much as 35' searay sedan bridge that we had.

I didn't even know that bow cushions were an option! this is why this thread is good we can learn so much from each other with the same boats.

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1997 278 Vista twin 5.7's

wow 14 seasons! Must be happy with the boat.

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1997 278 Vista twin 5.7's

Do you have a windlass on this boat? if you do can you give me some details about it

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1997 278 Vista twin 5.7's

Can someone tell me if their is a filter for the head on this boat? when someone flushes it really stinks inside the boat. There is a small vent next to the drivers location under the gunale could the smell becoming from there?

Also is there a rebuild kit for the manual Jabsco toilet? Is it hard to isntall the replacement parts?

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1997 278 Vista twin 5.7's

Yes we are. Knock on wood, it has never let me down. Dan

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Current Boat: 1994 278 Four Winns Vista

There is a vent on the starboard side of the boat. Check and see if it is full of spiderweb or other bugs. Depending on what the symptom is, you can buy rebuild kits for all Jabsco models. Joker valve is often the problem. If your pump is bad. Buy a whole new head. You will spend 60-70% of value on a complete rebuild kit. IMO, Dan

Thanks Dan. I just read the same thing about replacing the entire pump instead of replacing crappy (pun intended) parts. The vent on the exterior starboard side is connected to the exhaust fan. the smell seems to come through the vent that is on the interior starboard side. Why would the vent the smell inside the boat?

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1997 278 Vista twin 5.7's

Trace the vent hose, as a matter of fact, check all the hoses leading out of your holding tank. Wonder if the vent hose is disconnected and laying inside your boat. Also check the discharge line and see if it is loose. The ventilation fan in 3" flexible ducting. That shouldn't stink.