www.iFourWinns.com

Has anyone out there put a windlass on a 1999 258Vista? Having some trouble lifting up the anchor and a windlass would help. Have been told by a few boating stores here in West Mich. that this particular bow profile would not accommodate such a lift. Really?

Four Winns did have a bow roller as an option back in 1999 for the 238/258 but it is no longer available from them nor the original vendor, Hi-Tec Stainless.

A windlass would help a lot. Anyone out there installed one?

Thanks!

Dar

I put one on my 2000 248 which would be close to what you have

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2001 328 Vista "Nauta Dream 2"
AB Inflatable 10AL "Little Dreamer"
2000 248 Vista
1997 225 Sundowner


Mike

I considered the same, also on my '99 258v. Any way I could conceive would require modifying the anchor locker hatch and bow deck - and creative mounting of a pulpit and roller. I ended up hanging my two anchors in clips on the rails, which makes deployment and retrieval a little easier.

In retrospect, a small windlass might be fitted to the hatch, but the hatch hinges and latch would need to be changed to pins - and the hatch itself beefed-up - to handle the load, I think.

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Tom
Cape Coral

'99 Four Winns 258 Vista
http://www.ustream.tv/channel/bowcam
http://www.ustream.tv/channel/cape-coral-marine-radio VHF
http://67.207.143.181/vlf9.m3u VLF: Lightning, spherics

Don't know if these pics of my 98 238 Vista might help.

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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

Ok -- through Halls/Four Winn dealership in Grand Haven, MI they found the specific OEM bow roller and the latch mechanism for the chain. They will retrofit and install to my 258V.

It's more complicated than I originally though -- they have to move the nav. lights (red/green) since that is smack dab in the front of the bow, and then perform surgery to the locker lid to allow the chain and rode to slide down from the bow - right now it's off to either side.

All this with parts and labor -- I'm sure I could have shopped around online and got all this stuff myself, but these guys are a Four Winns dealership and I should respect their work. I have neither the tools, nor inclination to do this myself.

Thanks for all the comments and suggestions.

Darlene

Good deal, FWIW my 11 year old handled the anchor duties very well with just a bow roller - that was with 35' of chain as well. I wanted a windlass but honestly the kid provided much feedback and worked cheap

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2006 Vista 248 5.7DP - SOLD
2011 Crownline E6 - SOLD
2007 Sea Ray 260 Sundancer

LOL -- having kids work is a good thing! and having them work cheap is a good thing too!
Dar

But, you don't have to send a windlass to college.

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2008 V358 Two-tone Blue V/P Dual Prop 320 HP
Lake Winnipesaukee, NH