www.iFourWinns.com

I am looking to upgrade to an 07 318 Vista. The one I am looking at has the 5.0 liter 260 hp engines. Does anybody have any experience with this. Is this underpowered? I would rather have the 5.7, but the price may be right.

Also anybody have any experience trailering a 318? We are more trailer boaters, I realize this is a monster to trailer , but we like the option of moving around.

Thanks in advance for any help with this.

Jeff

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Jeff

'14 Cruisers 380 Express "Simon Sez"
Merc 8.2 Mag MPI 380
DTS B3X, (x2) Axius Premier


(SOLD)
'08 V318
Merc 350 Mag MPI 300
DTS Seacore, B3 (x2)

I think you need a permit to trailer a boat that wide. That is what was needed when mine was shipped by Four Winns.

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2001 Sundowner 235

You will need a permit to trailer in Michigan. And a BIG diesel powered truck
to tow it any distance.

It can be done, but not something I would want to do.

The 318 is sufficiently powered with the 5.0's.

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One of 4 Previous (Sold) Boats:
2000 Four Winns 268 Vista

Current Boat: 2004 Chaparral 235 ssi cuddy

Jeff, I'm not sure about Michigan (however, most states are similar), but in NH, you need a permit for over 8'6" in width and you can not be over 13'6" in height.

I did a bunch of study on this, since we were orignally looking at large "trailerable" single engine cruises that were in the 9+' beam range.

The permit was about $100/year and you could not tow at night or any holidays, or the Monday after a holiday .... etc, etc. However, in talking with quite a few local, state and DMV police, they all said that they would not know the difference from an 8'6" beam cruiser to a 9'2" beam. As long as I was not giving them a reason to stop me, I would be pretty much left alone.

The 10'6" beam, on the 318 Vista is another story. You would likely have to pay attention to the rules. Additionally, your height would be about 2' higher than ours. This means that your route would have to be planned ..... don't want to end up on some secondary road with a 12' bridge. Finally, the weight. You will have a 13,000-ish pound weight (at least). Wadda ya got for pullin' it?

Don't get me wrong .... I'd think about doing the same thing. Just be aware of all the angles.

Good luck!

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Gordon Arnold
New Hampshire

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

I wanted the twin 5.0s on the 318 we were getting, but <sigh>, it already had 5.7s.

5.0s are plenty to move the 318 around - you won't have any problems with that.

As for trailering -- you better have a huge truck and some sort of heavy duty transmission to pull that 318 around. To the lake and back isn't much of a deal - but if you want to do some serious traveling (like 2 hours or more) and through mountains - I would think twice.

You're about 1000 gallons in just gas. Boat and trailer dry are at least 12000 pounds... Add some other "stuff" and you aren't far from 14-15 thousand pounds.

What normal truck can tow that?

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

I have a 07 GMC Classic with the 6.6 Duramax and allison tranny. couldnt find the specs on the GMC website for the 07, but if it is similar to the 09 specs the truck max.s out at 13k towing off the ball and 13,600 with a goosneck. Crap, didnt look into all of that, I know a guy pulling a 98' 310 dancer, with the same 12000 dry weight using the same truck but 2 or 3 years older. I guess he is over on his ratings as well. Add fuel, water and stuff plus put a trailer under it, and wow that 14000 number comes up pretty quick. HMMM

Good to know the thing wouldnt be underpowered.

guess I have some thinking to do... sure do like to move around... but that dang 2 footitis or in this case 5 footits...

thanks for the comments

Jeff

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Jeff

'14 Cruisers 380 Express "Simon Sez"
Merc 8.2 Mag MPI 380
DTS B3X, (x2) Axius Premier


(SOLD)
'08 V318
Merc 350 Mag MPI 300
DTS Seacore, B3 (x2)

Dug thru my owners manual.... max trailer weight for my rig is 14,200 lbs. Still right on the ragged edge.....

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Jeff

'14 Cruisers 380 Express "Simon Sez"
Merc 8.2 Mag MPI 380
DTS B3X, (x2) Axius Premier


(SOLD)
'08 V318
Merc 350 Mag MPI 300
DTS Seacore, B3 (x2)

So, Four Winns rates the 318 with weight from 11,300 to 12,100. Add a couple grand for the trailer.

What sort of trailer are you using? If it's an aluminim 'I' beam --- you could probably do it pretty well!

You are so close that I would say you are fine. I just wouldn't plan on any cross country mountain climbing expeditions.

I would, however, look to upgrade your engine/tranny for better cooling/strength/power.

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

Would a 318 be under powered with 260's, I don't think so we had a 280 SR with the same power and it was fine. I have the 350MPV's and once on plane the extra power allows me to back off and cruise at 3600 RPM and the engines are not working at all that is one nice thing about the extra power. As far as towing the width and weight would be a problem here in Florida the comments by everyone are correct the width requires permits and special times and planed routes. The weight is also a big factor, our's loaded with gear and fluids comes in at 15,650 that stuff adds up quick. My 16 thousand lb lift is at it's max.
Good luck with your choice.

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2008 318 Vista "Ka-wai-ola"
350 MPI/BravoIII DTS Seacore
2006 1500 Key West -70 Yamaha
Previous Boats
Key West 2300CC
Pacemaker 270 Sport Fish
290 Sea Ray

2007 specs indicate the following:

5.0L Merc with MPI/B3 = 260 HP
5.0L Volvo Gxi/DP = 270 HP
5.0L Volvo Si/XDP = 270 HP

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One of 4 Previous (Sold) Boats:
2000 Four Winns 268 Vista

Current Boat: 2004 Chaparral 235 ssi cuddy

Jsimon --- what's the details on the 318 you are looking at? Is it one of the boats out on boats.com or yachtworld?

I looked at a bunch of new leftovers that were around the country... Shoot me a PM offline and we can share some details to see what you might be looking for.

There's a fair number available around the country that haven't been sold yet... and some great deals to be had - especially if you can trailer it home.

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

I have a 2000 Vista 298 with twin Volvos 5.0 liter 250 hp and I must admit that there have been times that I wish I had more hp to shoot out of the hole, especially when I had a large crowd on board (i.e. my single days). However, when you only have 3 or 4 adults on board, you should be fine with the 260's.

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Current Boat: 2000 Four Winns 298 Vista
Previous Boat: 2000 Carver 406MY

The 07 does not have the folding radar arch, and you will be too high (above 13.6) to trailer. I recently looked hard at buying a trailer for mine ,and you only have a few options (loadmaster, phoenix, Pirate Marine). Of those, Loadmaster was the only one willing to modify it and put a drop axle to get some more clearance, even with that it would be 13.8 ground to radar arch not counting electronics. Bottom line is you cant trailer that boat without risking hitting power / telephone lines, etc.

As for the power, as long as it has a Duo prop with right size props it should be fine.

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Bridgewater, PA
2008 Vista 318

You can contact Eagle Trailer in Wyandotte, Mi. They make custom trailers for just about every application. They have made trailers for friends of mine that have "special" applications.
http://www.eagletrailer.com/
4624 13th St, Wyandotte, MI - (734) 324-5851
--- or-----
300 S Elm St, Homer, MI - (517) 568-5372

Not sure which location is closer to Tittabawassee Township where you are located.

I agree with PC2, that it would be a risky proposition towing that boat very far at all. You have weight and height limitations which limits your mobility. But in case you are still looking into it, you can call Eagle and see what they can do as far as a trailer goes.

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One of 4 Previous (Sold) Boats:
2000 Four Winns 268 Vista

Current Boat: 2004 Chaparral 235 ssi cuddy

If you are looking at getting a trailer. We got our from Loadmaster http://www.loadmastertrailerco.com They make a very nice trailer. I have a friend that has a trailer for his 37' Maxum. Made by the same people.

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348 Vista ( Last Call )
Raystown PA