www.iFourWinns.com

Hello All,

I'm seriously considering upgrading to a Vista this Winter. I have a good line on a 2000 Vista 268 with nearly all of the bells and whistles except the Kohler genset. Given my style of boating (long weekends away from the marinas on remote parts of the lake), the genset is a nearly must-have option. Anyone have any sense of how difficult and expensive it would be to have a genset installed on a 2000 Vista 268? I'm pretty handy, but this type of upgrade is WAY out of my range of experience, so I'll be farming it out. Any suggestions on aftermarket installers would also be appreciated.

Thanks!

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2006 Vista 258
2007 Yukon Denali

Most boat dealerships will tell you 10 grand.. And they aren't far off... A new Kohler 5Kw ECD is 6000+ with the sound shield, harness etc..

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Brett DiMichele

you don't want to go the external generator mode? the first thing someone ask me when i bought my 2006 268 was, "it didn't come with a genset did it?" i said no and he told me good, because you have to take the engine out to work on it.... i don't know if it is true or not, but it made me think that a honda eu2000 for a grand would be a nice second choice.

i can see why an genset would be more convenient I just don't want to spend that much for the convenience.

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__________________________________________

2004 268 Vista "Satisfy My Sol"

+1 on the EU2000 route.

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Walter

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

Can a small, portable generator run things like the AC that you have on board? Obviously it would handle a microwave/tv/etc -- but what about the larger items like electric stove or AC?

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2008 318 Vista -SOLD, but I am still around!
All Night Long, Seattle WA

the eu2000 will handle everything on the 248/258/268. Not all at the same time but can power everything.

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Walter

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

I'd go the EU2000 route. A LOT cheaper!

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

A lot less weight to carry around as well. If you don't need to carry it, you can leave it on the dock.

We are considering the same option so we can have AC power when we need it.

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Jnizi

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

If you use a portable generator, make sure you use it safely. Be careful about carbon monoxide from the exhaust, be careful about getting it wet from rain or water, be careful to wire it up right and finally be careful about how you store it and the fuel for it.

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2008 V358 Two-tone Blue V/P Dual Prop 320 HP
Lake Winnipesaukee, NH

Thanks for the replies, gang!

I have seriously considered the portable generator option. My only concerns are the risks/hassles mentioned by Dolphin and the limits on the items I could power. That said, from an "investment" standpoint (only in the current economy can we call a boat an "investment"), it probably does not make sense to spend the 8-10K to install a genset.

Does anyone out there with a 268 have any guidance suggestions on where they store their portable generator and the fuel for it?

Thanks again for the help.

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2006 Vista 258
2007 Yukon Denali

I have a 248, and use a Honda EU2000 to power a/c, microwave, tv, radio, ect.....

I carry on swim deck with 5 gallon gas can, work out very well. If I don't want to carry gen set to shore, I have run on swim deck with success. Most of the time I run the gen set up on the beach and run a 100' cord back to the boat.
We have the exact options on our 248 that a 268 would have, and the EU2000 will run everything at the same time exept big power items can only run one which are electric burner, microwave, hot water heater. Which only means, you must turn off one of the big three to use another of the big three. (We use the a/c and mirco wave all the time!)

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

I have a boating friend that uses his Honda 2000 to power his 7000btu Cruisair over-the-hatch A/C while out in the bay. Very cool! (pun intended)

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

Just pulled the boat and am already thinking about making next year better and one thing I plan on doing is adding a Honda generator. I plan on spending more time on the hook since my kids will be at a good age for it and wonder how long does a tank of gas last? For example, would it run the a/c overnight? I look forward to a cold snowy winter reading about all you folks still enjoying your boats!

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2005 Vista 268 "ALTEAN"

5 to 6 hours on a tank. I built an external fuel tank for mine and i can have it run overnight with no issue.

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Walter

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

We'll work on buying a Eu2000i, over the winter. We will use the 'shelf' on the starboard side of the engine compartsment for extra house batteries. We have two house, plus start on the port side and we'll add two more house batteries on the port (edit) STARBOARD side. We'll then install a large inverter so we can have moderate AC (120 volt) power without the gen. We will then also have the gen for higher power needs, longer AC (120 volt) running times and battery charging.

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Gordon Arnold
New Hampshire

2003 268 Vista ..................................................................Prior: 97 245 Sundowner