www.iFourWinns.com

Has any one had to change there Lewmar Concept hatch on a "99 258,238 or earlier Vista?They break at the hinge pin and there is no repalacement made in that size. I think it is a real poor design. That must be why they stopped making them. Have to go a little bigger. What is the deck constructed of around the opening?

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Inboard, outboard, onboard never bored
KUT 'N LOOSE
'99 258 VISTA

I just had my hatch out this past winter because it was leaking. The deck is constructed of an exterior fiberglass layer, middle balsa wood core, and an interior fiberglass layer. Around the hatch opening, the core is hard wood to give the opening more support than the balsa wood could. Sould be easy to enlarge with a rotozip as long as you take your time. If you have to enlarge the hole more than 1.5" - 2" you might have to dig out some of the balsa wood and replace it with something that will give you structural support like an epoxy core filler. Good luck!

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Thanks,
Ben

1998 258 Vista 7.4Gi Duoprop

I believe my hatch is a 22" round.

Ok guys, I am the self-proclaimed Lewmar Concept hatch breakage guy

My 99 258 Vista's hatch was broken when I bought it used. And it was the hinges, much like your problem. I called Four Winns and they wanted a couple hundred bucks ($300+ IIRC) for a "hinge repair kit". Greg at Four Winns warned me that they are obsolete and not many repair kits left. So if you want to go that route, call Greg at Four Winns parts and act fast!

The route I took was I drilled a hole through my hatch and counter sunk the holes that are already on the little plastic hinges. I installed stainless steel nuts and bolts with acorn nuts on the top so nobody would get cut when laying/walking on the deck.

I wish I could take pics for you but I work 68 hours this week The other option is to replace the whole hatch.

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1997 Four Winns Vista 278
T - 4.3l EFI
Kohler 4esz Genset
379 hours as of 8/8/21

Repair kits are long gone. I had an extra hatch I got from Lewmar under warranty but I sold it to some one on here because I did'nt think I would ever need it. Tec, I will wait for some pics. I'm not in a big hurry to do this job. May wait til next season. I'ts not leaking any more than normal. Never did like that hatch and very seldom use it. Don't need it with the air on.

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Inboard, outboard, onboard never bored
KUT 'N LOOSE
'99 258 VISTA