www.iFourWinns.com

I am looking to replace my front hatch with a new one. Last year I did everything I could to try and seal it completely to make it water tight. This year I am thinking just replace the darn thing. Has anyone done this yet? If so what style did you use? What works?

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~ GADawg

2000 268 Vista
http://sites.google.com/site/ourcruiser/

I have never replaced my four winns hatches but I did on my old bayliner hatch and found them pretty cheap on Ebay. I forget teh name of the manufacturer (I think it was someones name as the name of the company) but they make all kinds of hatches as direct replacements for a fraction of the cost for an OEM replacement. Let me do some digging around and see if I can find their name. In the meantime search on Ebay and see if they have them.

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1999 298 Vista [color=#FF0000]Sold!!!
twin Volvo 5.7GXI

Woody: Pour you a beer, Mr. Peterson?
Norm: Alright, but stop me at one...make that one-thirty

I believe the existing hatch is 22" round Lewmar . For additional information on the hatch you can contact Lewmar or a distributer.

http://www.lewmar.com/product-listing.a ... ch&type=52

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

Current Boat: 2004 Chaparral 235 ssi cuddy

I was looking for parts for my 2000 268 Vista deck hatch last year. I contacted both Four Winns and Lewmar and neither of them have parts or replacement hatches. This hatch and it's size was made just for Four Winns, when Four Winns discontinued using it Lewmar discontinued producing parts. It now comes down to finding a hatch that is close in size and modifying the opening. Contact Lewmar with the part number and they will tell you which hatch will be the closest replacement.

My hinge plate broke and I ended up having one machined out of aluminum.

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2000 268 Vista "Reely Nauti"
http://www.facebook.com/#!/rivercruiser

You can still get the hatch from several places. This is just one.
http://www.marinerparts.com/size-22-low ... rting.html

Also, WestMarine is a Lewmar distributor, they can order direct for you if it is more convenient.

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

Current Boat: 2004 Chaparral 235 ssi cuddy

I would be in shock if you couldn't get any or all parts for a '00 268. You just have to try searching hard enough.

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2007 358 T-5.7GXi IB
Previous Boats
'08 H240, '08 V318, '04 268, '04 225

Guarantee that you cannot purchase the hatch that came from the factory for the 2000 268 Vista. I have talked directly to Lewmar and Four Winns and got the same answer from both.

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2000 268 Vista "Reely Nauti"
http://www.facebook.com/#!/rivercruiser

I can second that experience. I tried to get a replacement port hole window and screen for my 2003 248. First off, I had to prove to Lewmar that I had their windows. I took a picture and emailed them. They acted like I made up the part number I was giving them.

After digging through archives, they found it. Of course, they had to admit that the part number I gave was correct.

No exact replacement. They had a similar window ... with different screw holes.

My experience with Lewmar has been less than pleasing.

Craig C.

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2003 Vista 248, VP 5.0 GXi-C, DP

So where does that leave you? Have to install a different window?

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2007 358 T-5.7GXi IB
Previous Boats
'08 H240, '08 V318, '04 268, '04 225

It might be worth checking that it isn't the seal between the hatch frame and the deck that's leaking, rather than the seal in the opening part of the hatch; I found on my Sundowner the hatch hadn't been fitted centrally in the hole ( the hole was cut a little too big, so being fitted centrally was critical on my boat). The original foam seal was not contacting the deck in places and copious quantities of silicone had been used by FW or the dealer to try to eliminate the leak.

I just removed the whole thing and refitted it centrally, with sealant. No leaks since.

Graham

Yep.



Craig C.

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2003 Vista 248, VP 5.0 GXi-C, DP

Thanks all for your replies. I guess what I am getting at is I have the Lewmar hatch and need/want to replace it. Just dont know if one fits better than the other.

these are what I am looking at.
http://www.westmarine.com/webapp/wcs/st ... assNum=460

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~ GADawg

2000 268 Vista
http://sites.google.com/site/ourcruiser/

GADawg, that is the exact window we had in our '95 FW sundowner, OK hatch, but again nylon hinges that will need to be replaced with aluminum after the first couple seasons.

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

Thanks Powell. I will let you know what i wind up going with and how it turns out.

_________________
~ GADawg

2000 268 Vista
http://sites.google.com/site/ourcruiser/