www.iFourWinns.com

Hi,
We are interested in the 02-06 Vista 248 / 258 / 268 with Volvo Penta setup.

This particular 02 268 has a 280 Penta:

http://www.yachtworld.com/boats/2002/Fo ... ted-States

We are wondering if this is enough power for the boat this size and displacement? I know there are a lot of threads about people having problems getting an a plane when loading a couple of additional people. Most Vistas out there (pre-owned) come with a 5.0 (248) or 5.7 dual-props and we are wondering if these should provide adequate power for planing 6-7 people on the boat.

Though larger engine configurations are rare on the used market, we are quiet patient and can wait for the right boat.

Thanks!

I have never been disappointed with the 5.7L in our 268. I never use tabs to get on plane, it cruises in mid 20's and tops out just over 40 mph. Which is all I can ask for in a 6,000 pound express cruiser. I suspect that the planing problems are due to overloading, operator error/inexperience, or incorrect prop set. Many say bigger is better, but in this case, bigger is nice, but not necessary.

Good Luck.

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

Current Boat: 2004 Chaparral 235 ssi cuddy

Thanks for the info. Top speed does not concern me as the ability to plane. We may have up to 7 people on the boat but no skiers. As long as we are going ~20-25mph with consumping the least gas as possible we are happy campers!

So I will use 5.0 Penta for 248 and 5.7 for 258 / 268 when looking for used.

Thanks!

IMHO, it depends on the size of people on board. I think you might be getting close to the point where you might wish you had a little more get up and go. We had a 2000 268 with the 5.7 and a 2005 268 with the 8.1. I decided I will always go as big as I can with the motor. Not because I like to go fast, but because you never know when you will need it and when I do, I want that option. Fuel burn was similar, actually the 8.1 was a little better cruising than the smaller blocks. More power, related to slower rpm required to cruise.

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2005, 268 Vista, Table Rock Lake "Choices II"

I have a 248 with the 5.7 duoprop and am very pleased. Similar specs on cruise and WOT as others. I typically have 4-6 people and ski and tube without any issue. I think with the load I carry, that might be a little tough on a 5.0 engine.

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2000 248 Vista

Thanks, I will look for at least 5.7 if not bigger. The problem is I see very few being sold with a bigger engine but 5.7 should suffice for 248 / 268. The people are not heavy, mostly girls, I estimate average about ~150-160lbs.

Thanks!

I have a 248 with the 5.0 and had not had any problems with the boat coming out of the water, We have typically 4 adults and 4 smaller chi;dren on and no issues. You just can't have everyone but the captain sitting in the u shaped seating.

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2001 328 Vista "Nauta Dream 2"
AB Inflatable 10AL "Little Dreamer"
2000 248 Vista
1997 225 Sundowner


Mike

I have a 2004 248 and must say that I really wish they had a big block option. If you are just tooling around the bay, no big deal with a smaller motor. We travel through Long Island sound and Block Island sound and usually have two of us one board with full fuel, water, food and drink for a week sometimes, the dink, motor and a few other things. I must say that it takes some tabs and time to get on plane. I really do not watch or figure out the fuel burn, but suspect that I use quite a bit getting on plane.

Hi,
Just a quick question - I hear reference to "big block" what is really the big block is that the 5.7 280hp versus the 5.0 270 hp EFI or is it even a larger engine?

Thanks!

We have the 280 dual prop.

We can often have a lot of people on board (8 or 10). In these cases, I do use the tabs ... just to keep the time to plane reasonable. Once on plane, no tabs are needed except for leveling side to side or going slower than 26 to 28 mph (with this heavy load).

With 4 people on board ..... never any tabs needed, unless you want to go slower than the normal planing speed and stay on plane.

I do feel that we would have better fuel economy with the big-block, since it would have taller gearing and more prop, so the engine would be turning less RPM for a given speed. I don't think the big block is needed for more power in regular operation though (of course, I'm a hot-rodder and I'd take the big-block anyway if I had the choice).

I would not really hunt for a 320-HP small block. I hear that it does not have as much torque in the lower RPM as the 280-HP does.

AND ....... only consider a dual prop.

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Gordon Arnold
New Hampshire

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

Already enough said, but I will still put my two pennies in.

I have the 2003 268 320hp dual prop. I have no problem getting up on plane with a full tank of gas, full water tank and the tons of cra (stuff) the Admiral packs into the boat. This is just my opinion, 7 or 8 people in the boat is a pain in the rear. It can be done with no problem but there is not much room if they are all adults. The Boat will get up with the trim tabs down but it will take some doing if it is loaded as I have described above. I also agree with Choices II

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2003 268 Four Winns Vista
F-350 King Ranch Diesel (Tow)
1990 Four Winns Fredom 180

We have a 2000 248 with 5.7 DP (280hp)
I think it is a dog when loaded, may e and I mean maybe if it was completely empty, it might perform.
Our boat prior to this was a Four Winns 245 sundowner with 7.4L(454 big block) lighter, smaller boat with more motor.
But our vista is just to camp on, have jet skis for fun factor!

But remember we all have different opinions on acceptable performance and we all boat at different elevations which affects to some degree.

I will repower with a big block 8.1L if keep current boat long enough to ever need new motor. BTW the 5.7L is a chevy small block 350.

There is a nice later ('06ish) model 248 with 8.1L for sale in So. Utah, last I saw add, they were still on the very proud side for asking price (70k)


Remember it all depends on your intented use. I recomend whatever way you go, test drive and bring 4-6 friends along!

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

Heck I'd let my 06 go for 50K and that's a steal! Sure it's "only" a 280 horse 5.7 but I've never been displeased with it's performance!

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Brett DiMichele

The Big block is the GM engine platform commonly called the "Big Block". The engine block (and heads and everything else) is physically larger than the "small block" (past sizes of the GM small block include; 283, 302, 305, 307, 327, 350, 400, etc). The 5.0 (305 cubic inches), 5.7 (350 cubic inches) and 6.2 (377 cubic inches) liter marine engines are all small blocks.

The Big Block used in the 268 Vistas would be the 375-HP 8.1 liter (496 cubic inches). The benefit of this engine is not so much the actual horse power, but the huge increase in torque. The engine can push a much larger prop, at lower engine speeds.

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Gordon Arnold
New Hampshire

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

I think the 7.4L (310hp) is considered a big block as well. That engine was available in the 268 in year 1999 and 2000 , replaced with 8.1L in 2001 thru present. Even harder to find one of these in a 268 Vista.

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

Current Boat: 2004 Chaparral 235 ssi cuddy