www.iFourWinns.com

Many of you have already seen some of these, but I have done several projects on my boat. If you like to do boat projects, and if you have not seen mine, here is a list:

Sundowner 225 - VHF Radio Installation

Vista 268 - Tank Monitoring System

Vista 268 - Chartplotter, DSC VHF Radio Install

Vista 268 - Cockpit table, version 1

Vista 268 - Cockpit table, version 2

Vista 268 - Stereo, XM, Speaker Upgrades

Vista 268 - Automatic Fire Extinguisher Installation

Vista 268 - Fuel Vapor Detector Installation

Vista 268 - Bennett Automatic Trim Tab Controller Install

Vista 268 - Fuel Flow Meter Installation

Vista 268 - DC Panel Meter Upgrade

Vista 268 - Custom wood companionway entry steps

Vista 268 - LCD Flat Screen TV Installation

Vista 268 - Air Conditioner Installation (with electric heat option)

Vista 268 - Windlass Installation

Vista 268 - Storage cabinet door

Vista 268 - Collection of under $100 projects

All of the above projects were written by me, and done on my boat.

Eleven of my projects appeared in Lakeland Boating Magazine from 2004 to 2006.

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1999 Vista 268

unbelievable...i feel fairly useless at this point.

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2005 Funship 214 5.0GXi/DP | 2006 Yamaha FJR1300

Join the club, I have seen Vista Al's work first hand, and it is top notch.
I'm still scared to death to drill a hole just to mount a second fire extinguisher.

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One of 4 Previous (Sold) Boats:
2000 Four Winns 268 Vista

Current Boat: 2004 Chaparral 235 ssi cuddy

Thanks for the kudos Cap'n.

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1999 Vista 268

Al
Your projects and boat are an inspiration to all. I love the steps you made and the windlass install looks great. I have an 04 248 and would love those features. I also thought about doing a wood floor in the cabin as well. Do you have any suggestions for installing the flow meter in the dash . Mine has the fume detector in one hole in the center of the dash and extinguisher in the other. Not really sure were to place another gauge so it looks like it belongs there.
Thanks

248 Vista

I installed my vapor detector in the lower dash.

I like the flow meter up top where I can see it easier.



I got the boat out on Saturday; went out on Lake Michigan where it was af flat as a pancake. A bit chilly yet; air temp about 65 degrees, but with the front-half of the canvas up, it wasn't cold at all.

Got the boat up to 38mph which with bottom-paint, is about all I can get out of it. Of course, that is plenty fast, because most days on Lake Michigan, I cannot go nearly that fast due to the wave conditions.

At about 38MPH and 4800RPM, the boat was burning almost 24GPH (about 1.6 MPG for you math types). But at "normal" cruising speed of about 26 mph, I get just a tad over 2MPG (11.5 GPH).

The fuel flow meter is sure a help.

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1999 Vista 268

Thanks for the good idea Al. Glad to here you got to go out. Been nothing but rain here forever it seems like. Hopefully we will get a good weekend coming soon.

I am cheap when it comes to gas usage, I cruise easy and hate the WOT usage. How much did the thing run you and how hard was it to cut into the dash??

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If there's a launch and the water's deep enough, I'll be on it!

The fuel meter was about $150, and the dash had a pop-out filler piece for the gauge.

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1999 Vista 268

Here is my list. Not real long because Cindy insisted in buying the boat with everythng in place so we could just enjoy it. She can't understand very well that tinkering is a form of enjoyment..for me.

1. Installed wood miniblind behind the dinnette
2. Installed NAV3100 fuel system
3. Installed pergo flooing in the cabin
4. Replaced carpeted cabin steps with cherry steps

This week, removal of the NAV3100 system and the installation of a Lowrance LMF-400 and two fuel flow probes and a NMEA2000 bus. The Navman system was damaged by the shop which resulted in the display shorting out. They picked up the tab for teh new system, I'll do the install so it meets my expectations.

I'm working on the Admiral to let me purchase a new Lowrance NMEA2000 capable chartplotter. We will see...

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Jvalich
http://www.badcock.com

'04 FW 288 Vista "Mental Floss"

It never ends, John, and thats a good thing.....

Half the reason for looking for a new boat is that I am pretty much done with 'improving' this one.

Its therapeutic.

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1999 Vista 268

I'm hoping to have the new Lowrance fuel transdusers and the LMF400 disply in Friday. I'm planning a weekend cruise to Sarasota Cay Saturday...it will be a fun time to test it.

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Jvalich
http://www.badcock.com

'04 FW 288 Vista "Mental Floss"

I run my boat in the salt water off the west coast of BC, so I just installed a San Juan FWC kit and now want to add cabin heat; planning on going with a Heater Craft kit. Did the Sundowner come with factory FWC and cabin heat ?? If so, where was the heater core mounted?? So far, I am thinking of mounting the aftermarket kit in the cuddy, port side, in behind the carpeted plywood box that hides the built in cooler. Any ideas would be greatly appreciated.

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2010 278 Vista
5.7 GXi DP

Past:
1999 225 Sundowner
5.7 GSi SX