www.iFourWinns.com

Can anyone say what the lower hull is made from on a 1998
238 Vista, in particular is there any wood sandwiched in the fibreglass (other than the stringers) that would prevent a (in hull) sonar transducer from working correctly?

Also has anyone fit this type of transducer, as any advise would be
helpfull?

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Regards
Beyond the Blue

"If we improve with age I'm now excellent"


Ex 1998 238 Vista 5.0Gi SX DP
Lexus RX300

I thought that was a standard feature on a Four Winns boat?!?!?! Every four winns I have ever seen has a transducer in the bilge. I would think that if you wanted to in stall one, cut away.
On any of the vistas, if you were to have a dealer install an option, as say: A/C they would have to cut a hole into the hull. I think, stay away from the stringers and you would be OK.

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

Sorry should have stated that this install is for a transducer for a combined plotter/fishfinder.
I want to use a (in hull) type rather than a (through hull) being as the boat is in a Marina and I wont be lifting her this year, but the makers say a (in hull) type won't work if the hull has any wood or foam sandwiched in the fibreglass hull.

_________________
Regards
Beyond the Blue

"If we improve with age I'm now excellent"


Ex 1998 238 Vista 5.0Gi SX DP
Lexus RX300

First thing I would do is ask Four Winns directly. They'll certainly have an answer to the hull layering question. That and they'll be able to shed some insight on the second question: placement. Where to put a transducer is a big challenge. You want to make sure it's positioned such that it'll stay in "clear enough" water to keep working when you're moving. Put it too far forward and it'll be out of the water too soon. Put it too far back and it'll be stuck in areas of turbulence (air bubbles). The local dealer for that transducer may also have some words of advice on it's placement.

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-Bill Kearney, 2005 348 Vista

I have a 1997 23.8 and installed a Lowerance shoot-thru transducer. As mentioned above I contacted Four Winns and was informed that nothing was sandwiched between the fiberglass hull. Mounted it opposite of the factory thru-hull. No problems!

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1997 23.8 Four Winns Vista
Bay Dream'n

I did the same as 4Winnsboater to my 1998 278 last season because I replaced the factory Lowrance in-dash sounder that had quit working. I also added a transom mount transducer with a temp sensor for my Lowrance GPS/plotter unit. It does help having both when one or the other gets erratic readings due to turbulence, etc.

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USCG 50 Ton Master Inland/OUPV Endorsement+Towing

1998 278 Vista - Twin 4.3 GLs, Kohler 4KW Gen, AC/Heat.
1999 Yamaha Waverunner SUV
2003 Yamaha Waverunner SUV w/MR-1 HO conversion