www.iFourWinns.com

What is the best way to wire your stereo to the bow rail? Is there some sort of pass through I cant find? I see diagrams that show they should be connected, but mine is not. Also, am I the only one who gets horrible receptionwhen the battery charger is on? Is there any reason for this that I can fix?

Thanks.

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2000 Four Winns 248 Vista (Nice toys, no Air)
2001 Highly Modified Yamaha GP1200R (75+MPH)

Do you mean for an antenna connection ? If so, the rail is attached by studs and nuts, on mine the rearmost stud was accessible inside the boat after taking out some bits and pieces.

The factory " antenna cable " (if you can call it that) that was attached to the radio was just a short piece of orange wire with a ring terminal at the end not connected to anything, too short to reach the stud, to short to reach anything in fact. They may as well have used a wire coat hanger! So, I extended it and it's now connected to the rail.

The poor reception you get might be due to the antenna cable being completely unshielded and unconnected to an "antenna" of any sort. So, when the generator is running the radio is getting a stronger signal from it than from radio transmitters.

Graham

Pictures of a 248 Vista bow rail, cleat mounting can be found here, posted by Brett.
viewtopic.php?f=6&t=2970&p=29993#p29993

I just installed a new HU last week, spliced a single telescoping antenna into the orange factory antenna wire, and stretched it out up into the gunwale. It improved the radio reception tremendously.

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

Current Boat: 2004 Chaparral 235 ssi cuddy

I dont follow you.. HU? Where did you run the antenna? Pics?

Thanks.

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2000 Four Winns 248 Vista (Nice toys, no Air)
2001 Highly Modified Yamaha GP1200R (75+MPH)

HU = Head Unit. ie. Radio/CD player.

As I said, I just stretched the antenna out and tucked it up in the gunwale behind where the radio (HU) is installed. No pics.

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

Current Boat: 2004 Chaparral 235 ssi cuddy