www.iFourWinns.com

Hey guys new to the forum have a few quick questions before I sign papers and sell my 205 sundowner.

Getting into a 258 with a 7.4volvo with duo props. I was wondering what the difference may be in consumption with my current 5.7 that is not fuel injected.

I have a pic of the motor and on it you see a pinched hose right over the vin sticker. Could anyone tell me what that hose is used for?

And last but not least I will be towing this puppy with my Yukon denali XL 4X4. Does anyone think I may have troubles? Mainly when taking it out of the water. The truck is rated for 8800lbs and the boat is listed at 5200lbs.

Its not pretty to look at now but once I get it in the yard Ill give her all the love she needs.

Thanks for the info.

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97 258 vista 7.4 VP/DP......... 2008 GMC Yukon XL Denali


96 sundowner 5.7 vp/sx (SOLD)

Don't know that motor but it looks like a PCV vent off the valve cover. Designed to allow blow-by gasses to be recirculated into the intake to avoid excessive engine emissions. It's not something that would usually keep the engine from running properly.

With that much margin your towing should be fine. But bear in mind a fully loaded boat (gear, water, fuel, etc) can add a lot of weight. If you've got a truck stop or other place with a scale it might be a good idea to get things weighed. If only so you know the boat's real weight for future towing situations. It'll take more than one trip, once with the boat on the trailer and then again with just the trailer alone.

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-Bill Kearney, 2005 348 Vista

That hose is for blow by and is normally attached some where on the air intake at the flame arestor.

Looks like a nice boat, I to went from a Sundowner to a vista you will love your new found freedom.

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


Mike

The boat is pretty good shape but extremely dirty filthy even.

No one wants to pony up on consumption?

I forgot to add the engine has 650 hours on it and its a 1997 is that good, bad or average.

After how many hours do problems mostly start popping up?

TY

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97 258 vista 7.4 VP/DP......... 2008 GMC Yukon XL Denali


96 sundowner 5.7 vp/sx (SOLD)

I cannot comment on fuel consumption but I did have that same engine on my 97 278. There is a clip under the flame arrestor that holds that hose and a second hose from the other side. You are also missing a shroud over the flame arrestor but that is not a big deal. I would strongly urge you to hire a marine surveyor to check the ships systems and check the hull for water intrusion. A rotten transom or stringers can cost more to repair than the boat is worth. An engine of that age may also be due for new risers and exhaust manifolds, especially if it was a salt water boat.

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Martin
04 268 Vista - Knot Again
08 Boston Whaler 130 Sport - Double Good
Previous Boat:
97 278 Vista - Buoy Howdy

Could someone explain what a stringer is?

As for the transom it looks in excellent condition. Is there any tell tale sign that it could be water logged or have water damage? I'll post a picture show you what I was looking at.
Transom starbord side


Transom port side with water heater that looks new.


This was a fresh water boat for the past 5-6 years but who can be certain where it was ever used. Then again how can you tell of any tell tale sign is the manifolds are or may need repair. Not too sure what you mean by risers either but will mention it to the mechanic.

The deal is not concrete yet that's why I'm scrambling to find out as much as I can about the boat. Took tons of pics since I had to drive a 7 hour round trip to examine her.

I also had another concern about some hair line cracks in the gel coat around the helm windshield. I have come of those on my sundowner but nothing major like this one? Should I be concerned? If I'm not mistaken there isn't much I can do to stop it progressing. There does not seem to be any water seepage into the cabin, the carpet on the ceiling is clean everywhere no water staining what so ever.


Cheers

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97 258 vista 7.4 VP/DP......... 2008 GMC Yukon XL Denali


96 sundowner 5.7 vp/sx (SOLD)

Get a survey done if you have any doubt, they will let you know everthing about her. Then you can use it a leverage for bargining.

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


Mike

What you are showing us is normal for a boat of that vintage. If I took pictures of my H260 they would look similar. The hours are a little above average and that is reflected in the condition, obviously somebody used the boat and didn't spend their time cleaning it. I believe a survey is worthwhile but will tell you that the boat is fit...never know though something could be hidden.

BTW, that water heater has been replaced....You can tell by the dark stains around the bottom shelf where the leaking water came into contact with the old steel (vs new stainless) casing.

Feel free to PM me or post any other pictures here. I'm not an expert but have done my fair share of looking over the years.

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Marc, Kathlin & Nathalie


'89 Chaparral Laser 32

'93 Vista 245, 5.8L w/ King Cobra

Former Boats
'01 H260, 7.4 VP Duoprop
'98 H200, 5.0 GL w/VP SX drive

rolex,

The stringers are the main structural elements in the hull. They are made from layers of marine plywood encased in fiberglass running longitudinally along the hull. Look in your engine bay; your engine is bolted to the main stringers. There is a secondary set further from the hull centerline. You can sometimes detect stringer rot by tapping on surface with something like a plastic screwdriver handle. They should sound solid. A hollow sound is a rotten stringer. This is hard to detect in the engine compartment because the fiberglass layers are very thick in this area.

A better place to look is in the aft cabin. Pull up the mattress pads and look under the removable covers. There are holes in the base of the stingers called limber holes that are designed to let water move to the center of the boat to be picked up by the bilge pump. These are often poorly sealed and brown stains around the limber holes could indicate a wet stringer. Tapping works better here because the fiberglass layers are thinner.

Remove the floor access panel and perform a similar inspection around the shower sump. Also check the cabin floor for excessive flex. A spongy feel could indicate rot. This is not as bad as stringer rot but could also indicate bigger problems.

If all this seems very detailed it is because I lived this nightmare with my 97 278. It was my first boat and I was dumb and did not get a survey. It ultimately cost me a lot of money and heartache.

I offer these tips as a method of identifying a boat that is not worth a survey. If it passes your visual inspections then hire a pro and let him confirm that it is a solid boat.

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Martin
04 268 Vista - Knot Again
08 Boston Whaler 130 Sport - Double Good
Previous Boat:
97 278 Vista - Buoy Howdy

Fuel injection will provide easier faster start ups, fuel consumption on a big block 7.4" can be upto 27 gph at wot. We had a '95 sundowner with the 7.4L, loved it.

Now for towing, the base weight of that boat with no options is spec'd at 5200 lbs, you have the upgraded motor (add 500 lbs), add 1500-1700 for trailer, fuel, water, anchor, food, ect... Your going to be pushing 9k once all is said and done. IMHO, your 1/2 ton is too small, you need a 3/4 ton for a large boat.

We have a tahoe in the garage, its rated to tow 8500lbs, I have tried to pull our boat with it, no go!!! Really I do not like towing much more than 5k behind the little suv. Sure your sales guy will tell you that you'll be fine and you see other doing it, but that does not make it safe. Vistas are heavy compared to the sundowner. Get a bigger tow vehicle then get vista, or if your not going to trailer it, no issue.

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

Just my luck I just got out of a 3500 silverado that was overkill for my sundowner..LOL!!!! Its a good thing we never trailer too far. Usually under 30 km from point of origin.
The 1/2 ton is rated at 8300lbs and and the 3/4 ton is rated at 9300lbs.

My main concern is taking it out of the water. Depending how much the ramp is inclined on a slippery surface I hope wont be a problem. I never tested it with AWD hope its just as good as 4X4?

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97 258 vista 7.4 VP/DP......... 2008 GMC Yukon XL Denali


96 sundowner 5.7 vp/sx (SOLD)

I'll second Powell on this one. I have an '06 258 that I tow very infrequently with an '07 Yukon Denali. When you crunch the numbers, my vista comes in at around 9,200 lbs, which is 400 lbs above the truck's trailer rating. A couple of times a year, I tow mine back and forth from the marina where we slip in Indiana to our house in Ohio (about an hour) across mostly flat landscape and have not had a problem or felt unsafe. But I wouldn't feel comfortable towing it over any real steep grades or for any distance over an hour or so. It's primarily a safety concern, but you also have to think about the strain you're putting on your truck.

Great looking boat. Enjoy!

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2006 Vista 258
2007 Yukon Denali

Well then, once you tow this monster boat with your current tow vehicle, you can then decide if pushing the limits is ok for you. You know how the DRW handled.





Same thing as far as traction goes, what is beneficial, is limited slip rear end along with 4X4. If you don't have LS rear end, you can always add a locker if you find you need extra traction.
I just added a locker to the front axle of my jeep, WOW!!!!

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

And don't forget the idea of using a rented truck if you don't trailer it all that often. Run the numbers on what it'd cost you to rent one locally for the necessary time. Might turn out to be a lot less expensive than owning a more suitable truck. Granted, it adds a step to the 'getting ready' process, but at least you won't feel the hit of paying for it during the off-season. Not to mention at the gas pump.

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-Bill Kearney, 2005 348 Vista

I wouldnt feel comfortable towing my 268 with anything less than a 2500--I have a diesel now, and LOVE IT--and I get 28 on the hwy w/ it!!!

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2000 268 Vista
7.4 VP DP