www.iFourWinns.com

Tried this once, using the same set up on a 248.
After about two towings, I noticed the attachment clips had started to mar the boat as they rubbed on the fiberglass.
Quit that and went to using the stern lifting rings.
That worked better for me.

Not to cause stress here guys...BUT...I would not attach the ski booms/ropes etc to any cleat. Those cleats are not designed to take the amount of force that will be created by towing....especially tubes....the tubes displace a lot of water and they dont even recommend using a wake tower for tubes...if you are going to use the ski attachment you should attach it to the stern "hooks" you use to secure the boat to the trailer. I know that these may or may not be in a good position for this, but would be better for sure....otherwise you can add them with proper backing for support.

If you can look at the backing on those cleats and compare to the stern "hooks" you will see what I'm talking about.

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http://i1339.photobucket.com/albums/o71 ... wqm355.jpg


08' H210SS
VP 5.7Gi

The backing on my cleats are bolted the same as the stern hooks. Meaning bolted and backed by the same metal strip used in the stern hook.

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97 258 vista 7.4 VP/DP......... 2008 GMC Yukon XL Denali


96 sundowner 5.7 vp/sx (SOLD)

It is true that both are thru bolted and use backing plates. Difference between the twi areas of the hull, are thickness. The transom is much thicker and can handle the stresses of towing, where as the cleats are bolted to a thinner part of the hull. This is why I say it possible to rip the cleats right out of the hull. Had heard of this happening, don't remember what brand boat..... Doesn't matter, I won't tow with cleats!!!! You may choose differently.

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

I fully agree that using the stern hooks would be best since they are designed for that use but if you are like me and have an extended swim platform your options are very limited since Vista's don't offer much other options.

I also have to add that the pressure applied to the cleats if probably a fractions of what people think it is. For those of you familiar with water ski and the contraptions used to teach kids their first steps, the rope is held by one of the passengers and can be used for children up to 80 pounds. Having held the rope myself for my children you would be surprised how little resistance it offers with an 80 pound child at the end.

Just my 2 cents

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97 258 vista 7.4 VP/DP......... 2008 GMC Yukon XL Denali


96 sundowner 5.7 vp/sx (SOLD)

I am in the same boat, my extended swim platform makes it very tough to keep connecting to the transom hooks. I would imagine pulling a tube or water skier with the weight distributed between two cleats would not create a huge amount of stress.

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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