268DA and Weekenders

The 4.3 ltrs are darn close to bullet proof if maintained properly. I would say it's a very smart choice.

I have not had drive issues with my 454/Alpha, but I bring her up slowly and back her down slowly. I'm not one to run her at 5000 r's much either and I cruise at 3000-3200 generally.

I'd much rather have a Bravo drive, but the Alpha is ok if you are easy on it and don't hit anything.

CC is right, the twin 4.3's in these boats is darn near a perfect setup.

I had the 4.3 in my '97 Starcraft Islander. That motor sipped gas and never gave me a lick of trouble during my 13 yrs of hard use. The new owners are still running it hard with no issues. We ran that boat out into the middle of Lake Huron a couple times to a spot called Yankee Reef. It was about 75 miles round trip plus trolling for salmon/trout for 6 hours. That engine burned 26 gallons total for the trip. That boat only weighed 3800 lbs loaded, but that is still very good fuel economy.
 
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Coastal Confessions said:
I have twin 4.3s in my 268. This is the first twin engine boat and the biggest Ive owned. With the last being a Bayliner cierra 245 which had a merc 350cin and Bravo III drive. I would say about the 3000 rpm is accurate, but what I wanted to ad is the boat gets up to plane EFFORTLESSLY. It doesn't "push or plow" like all my other boats have. Just like a sport boat it hops right out of the water. Which means you can back off on the throttle a lot sooner than if you had a single big block. I know several 268 owners with single engines and most of them have had drive work. The Alpha drives work way to hard for such s long boat. The twin V6s are a PERFECT set up for that boat. One thing I take advantage of is when I just want to idle across the lake, I use one motor, no higher than 1400 rpm and use VERY little gas.

Good luck and keep us updated.
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Adgreed with everyone on the 4.3L's

Costal, what props are you running?
 
Touch-up paint???
I was able to pick up an original radar arch from a 268 that was being stripped for parts. I will need to do some fiberglass work and repaint as it has red accents and my boat is green.
Does anyone know if one can purchase small spray cans or pints of paint like you can for cars at the auto parts store or online? Any suggestions where to buy paint for a boat?
Bob
 
BlewByYou88 said:
Adgreed with everyone on the 4.3L's

Costal, what props are you running?
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Im not sure. BUT that is a spring project. While hanging out on the beach with a few previous 268 owners they said I should see close to 50 with ease. According to my GPS and stock spedo I'm struggling for 40. And I can peg 4500rpm way tp easy. From what I read I optimal rpm is 4300. What do you run? any advise. And more importantly hows you motor job?
 
Thanks for the info, Coastal and Getaway. Very helpful. Tomorrow I'm taking a long drive to look at a '88 268 w/twins. Hopefully it's clean enough to go forward with a survey.

I was also considering a really clean 268 with a 350cc. My wife and I do a lot of one-two week cruising (Cape Cod Bay, Martha's Vineyard, Casco Bay, Long Island Sound, etc.) so we're usually loaded down w/gear. Am I correct in thinking I should forget about the 350/260hp because it just doesn't have enough power?
 
Coastal Confessions said:
Im not sure. BUT that is a spring project. While hanging out on the beach with a few previous 268 owners they said I should see close to 50 with ease. According to my GPS and stock spedo I'm struggling for 40. And I can peg 4500rpm way tp easy. From what I read I optimal rpm is 4300. What do you run? any advise. And more importantly hows you motor job?
Click to expand...


I'm runnin Vengance 48's 21P SS, I see about 4300-4400 when she is trimmed right. My max speed has been in the upper 40's, but you say you jump outta the hole? The BBY can be a real DAWG trying to get over that initial hump. Also depends on how many people are on board.

The engine progress has been slow. I have been taking some extended time to clean everything, and I'm being picky about new parts. Hopefully back together by April? I'm taking pics and will make a nice little write up on everything.

4300-4500 RPM is fine the max RPM i believe is 4800RPM?
 
I ran a 21P on my old boat that had the 4.3ltr with the Alpha drive. The 21P seems to be right in the sweet spot!
 
Ya, when I say jump out I mean WOW jump out of the water. No DOUBT it could yank a skier up. We aren't big wide open cruisers, the only time we open it up is when were in a hurry to get somewhere or we have a long distance to go. Which isnt often. Im more concerned about fuel consumption. If its worth even messing with it. As soon as our thaw starts Im going to start sanding the drives down for a new smooth coat of paint. I'll take the props off and see what the pitch is then.

BlewByYou88 said:
I'm runnin Vengance 48's 21P SS, I see about 4300-4400 when she is trimmed right. My max speed has been in the upper 40's, but you say you jump outta the hole? The BBY can be a real DAWG trying to get over that initial hump. Also depends on how many people are on board.

The engine progress has been slow. I have been taking some extended time to clean everything, and I'm being picky about new parts. Hopefully back together by April? I'm taking pics and will make a nice little write up on everything.

4300-4500 RPM is fine the max RPM i believe is 4800RPM?
Click to expand...
 
mine pop's right out too, tabs all the way up no gear to speak of , 3/4 fuel two people , maybe 1/2 to 3/4 throttle . but this is alot less elevation than what BBY is running at . 175 hp
 
Just Me, what do you run for props? I've been told by a few to check the diameter also. The lake we boat in is notorious for taking boats out. It has a lot of sand bars and its controlled by a dam. Water levels change dramaticly. Therefore I will not put stainless props on. Id much rather loose a prop than a drive shaft.
just me said:
mine pop's right out too, tabs all the way up no gear to speak of , 3/4 fuel two people , maybe 1/2 to 3/4 throttle . but this is alot less elevation than what BBY is running at . 175 hp
Click to expand...
 
Trailering a 268 question.... I know I could have placed this in the the "Trailering" forum, but Ithought I'd get a better answer from a 268 owner...

I bought a new Venture bunk trailer for my 268. I am looking for some help on setting up the bunk spacing. I want the boat hull to sit flat on the bunks, and not to wide where the keel would rub against a cross rail on the trailer. Does anyone have the spacing size between the bunks I can use for reference? This sure would save me some time from trial and error testing at the boat launch...
 
No , but i can run to the boat tomorrow and take some measurements , and maybe take a pic or two if that will help
 
OK , i have 6 bunks , your bunks may not be where mine are so this may not help . From the center of the drain hole to center of first bunk is 3in . from center of drain hole to center of 2nd bunk is 11 1/2 in . from center of drain hole to center of 3rd and last bunk is 25 1/2 in .
 
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