www.iFourWinns.com

I'm going to add an 8' antenna on the port side of my '99 258v. The current VHF antenna, on the starboard side, is mounted on a ratchet mount which is, in turn, mounted to a block of Starboard or similar plastic, itself mounted to the exterior hull a few inches below the gunwale near the helm.

Is this common? Is the Starboard there to add strength to the mount - or might it be to cover a repair or drilling error?

_________________
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

I would say no, it is not common. But, is it weak in that spot?? Maybe that is way it is there? I too have a V258, I took off the 8" & installed 4' at 4.5db one on the arch. Were it was, it was in the way of the lines.

Well, looking at the 1999 catalog is no help; there is no VHF installed on the boat in the factory photos (and a VHF was not a factory option, in fact), so I guess the original radio (and antenna) was dealer-mounted. I suppose a thoughtful installer might have used a piece of Starboard to externally reinforce the hull since the torque on the mount could be pretty severe in the event of an antenna encounter with a low bridge, not uncommon here.

I think I'll do the same, although I'll probably use a backing plate if I can get to the inside of the gunwale by removing the forward line locker.

Thanks for the response.

_________________
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