www.iFourWinns.com

Not sure if Four Winns offered one, but I am sick of the center hatch slamming down on my toe or just plain closing with a bang. Has anyone installed one? Where/how did you secure it in the floor? Pictures would be good!
Thanks

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2010 Sea Hunt Triton 220 "Big Whiskey"
2003 FW Freedom 180 Volvo Penta 4.3GL/SX-M "It'll Do Four Now" (Sold)
2012 Avalanche LTZ 4X4

great idea! I'd also like to know. my little guy has got his finger SLAMMED in it.

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2006 Nissan Titan SE 6" Lift
2000 Four Winns 190 Horizon 5.0GL

My little guy (almost 11) drops it on my toes as I usually stand at the Helm while driving (yeah another mod I need to do, Helm seat with a flip up bolster ($299-599)

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2010 Sea Hunt Triton 220 "Big Whiskey"
2003 FW Freedom 180 Volvo Penta 4.3GL/SX-M "It'll Do Four Now" (Sold)
2012 Avalanche LTZ 4X4

On the 245 Sundowner there's a hatch in the centre of the floor; that has a gas strut attached to support it in the open position. The hatch and metal trim ring listed on the FW parts catalogue for the Sundowner is the same as for Horizons/ Freedom models ! You can almost certainly use the same strut and mounting hardware on your hatch. The brackets, strut and ball ends are listed in the FW parts catalogue. The mounting holes on the trim ring for the bracket might already be there!

Graham

Thanks Graham. Going to research it now.

Here is the Freedom & Sundowner trim ring part number:

033-0979 TRIM RING, SKI STR 1 #M13-2054VELD

Here is the sundowner shock part number:
048-1322 GAS SHOCK, 12 30 LB. #GSNI-5100-30

Here is the Sundowner and Freedom (and obviously Horizon) ski lid part number:

32-1518 LID, SKI STORAGE 180 HORIZON 96

Same hatch and trim ring part numbers are the same so they are the same size so Graham was right. We just need the gas shock.

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2010 Sea Hunt Triton 220 "Big Whiskey"
2003 FW Freedom 180 Volvo Penta 4.3GL/SX-M "It'll Do Four Now" (Sold)
2012 Avalanche LTZ 4X4

My boat does have the holes already in the trim ring and there are holes in the lid also. I'm not sure what type of screw is intended to be used to attach to the lid. It is probably some sort of Plas-tite type screw. I don't think the holes do not go all the way through.

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Current Operational Boats:
'04-Four Winns 180 Freedom 150 HP Evinrude
'72-Chris Craft Commander 31 Sedan Twin-350Qs

The older models should have a small strap that will connect with a snap to the dash to hold the door open. I didn't even realize it was there a purpose until my son figured it out a year after we had the boat. While it's not as ideal as the arm, it may already be there and has saved a lot of toes.

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-Rob.


Current boat: 2011 Yamaha AR210
Previous boat: 1998 Horizon RX 4.3GL SX

The screws used on mine are the standard dome head self tappers; used virtually everywhere. Not ideal, particurarly on the "starboard" hatch where they will tend to pull out a plug of material if overtightened. If I was starting from scratch, I'd probably use countersunk bolts and locknuts to hold the bracket to the lid.

Graham

My 97 Sundowner has the strap, but it hooks to that back of the port side bucket seat. I'm going to look into the strut this weekend to see if it wil work on my boat as well.

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Terry
Current: 07 Crownline 255 CCR cuddy - 350 Mag MPI/B3 "Casi Cielo"

Previous:97 245 Sundowner 5.7GI/SX

Tow vehicle: 1986 GMC 2500 Camper Special 454/TH400

West Marine has some gas struts $25 and mounting hardware $12. Waiting to hear back from FW parts guy for price.

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2010 Sea Hunt Triton 220 "Big Whiskey"
2003 FW Freedom 180 Volvo Penta 4.3GL/SX-M "It'll Do Four Now" (Sold)
2012 Avalanche LTZ 4X4