www.iFourWinns.com

My wife and I are looking at purchasing a FW Vista. We have been looking at the 268 278 and 288.

What are pros and cons for twin vs. single engine. It looks like the 288 is a twin.

Thanks!

I was faced with the same dilemma a few months ago. I have a Vista 278 on order. You are correct the 288 is a twin engine cruiser and has a wider beam. The 278 is sold as a trailerable cruiser. I felt like this was a nice step for my wife and me and as our kids aren't around to boat with us much anymore. We spent most of our time pulling our H220 to the lake and rafting up with our friends on houseboats and cruisers. This will give us the opportunity to spend the nights on the lake and we will still be able to tow it to some places we have visited in the past. I can see wanting to move on up to the twin with the wider beam somewhere down the road but I wasn't ready to make that step yet. Ask me again at the end of this next boating season but for now I'm anxiously awaiting delivery and warmer days.

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

Can anyone tell me if the twin makes it MUCH easier to dock? Or not a huge difference?

Also how about gas consumption? Is the single much more efficient? Or not so much?

THANKS!

Hey Jengle & welcome! A twin is unquestionably easier to dock than a single screw boat, particularly as you get into a bigger single and are dealing with a lot more weight. Most experienced twin screw boaters I know use only engine controls when docking and keep their hands off the wheel. Like anything, it takes practice, but you will have much greater control - particularly when faced with wind or current. My 22' Sundeck was a lot easier to dock than my 26' Sundancer, mostly due to weight and hull design (sport boats are obviously was much more nimble). I just adhered to the practice of 'if it's not going well on the first pass, try again... and again.' Never rush the process - it's never worth it. Someone else will have to speak to fuel efficiency, but do remember that your engine maintenance costs will obviously double. It would be great to know where you do your boating if you could work that into your profile...

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Previously:
2008 V358/Volvo 5.7 GXi Inboards

Welcome Jengle. We had a 268 for 3 years. I can say that our 348 is a lot easier to dock. For the fuel. It depends on how you boat. We do use more fuel then on our 268. But where we boat. We run about a hour each way when we tye up with others. We do not run it full throttle. Now if you run in more open water. I think you might use more. Going against current more then we do on a lake. Also like Sierra said everything for maintenance doubles when you have twins. But on the plus side. You get a bigger beam. Which makes a big difference. Its all up to how you are going to use your boat. With a bigger beam you are not going to tow it as much as a smaller beam boat.

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348 Vista ( Last Call )
Raystown PA

We are mainly looking for a boat that we can stay on for weekends at the Lake of the Ozarks Missouri. I currently have an old old old bass boat that is mainly for drinking beer and pretending to fish.

We are looking at boats that are 2003 and newer, just trying to figure out what fits in the $85k budget and gets what we want and will use. I'm sure in the beginning we'll want to explore the lake and will likely burn fuel like a Saudi Prince.

Obviously the twin boats come with a price tag, so we'd be looking at an older model. The singles would let us buy a newer boat. Being that I've never captained a larger boat, I'm just trying to figure out if I might be better off bucking up a bit more for a twin that will hopefully be easier to control.

Does anyone have any input into how hard it is to learn to control a twin, versus a single?

Thanks for all of the good answers...

It is actually easier to control a twin than a single once you get some practice. On the open water there is little difference once you synch the engines either electronically (if equipped) or by sound. In a tight marina the twins allow you to use the engine controls to help with steering. When I am manuevering in my marina getting to my slip, I use the engine control to make tight turns that would be near impossible with a single screw. When I back into my slip, I only use the engines and don't touch the wheel.

I went from a 205 Sundowner to my present V338. The 1st few times out were scary to say the least. I hired an experienced boat captain for 4hrs of lessons and it was the best money I have ever spent boating.

Twin engines and a wide beam are the way to go if you want to use your boat as a spring, summer, and fall getaway. You will never be upset buying bigger.

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07 Tiara Sovran 4300
07 338 Vista - SOLD