www.iFourWinns.com

New to the board and new to Four Winns. Purchased my first boat last week (end of season special). I'm a wee bit of a gal and love the water. But, I need help drawing up the anchor . Not quite strong enough to lift the anchor and chain up and then slide them under the bow rail into the locker. The only way I can do it is sit on the deck and pull. Not a good process.

I was looking at the Four Winns bow roller bow that was an option on the the 1999 258Vista. The part number was #031-0358.

Four Winns advises it is no longer available through their catalog and the original vendor, Hi-Tec Stainless, in Fennville, Mich, no longer manufactures this part.

So -- any ideas how to get one of these rollers OR -- any ideas that would help a 5'1" 122 lb gal get the dang anchor up without marring the glass?
Thanks all --

Dar

Dar,

You can find bow rollers all over the internet at many boat shops, just search. The trouble will be finding one that fits your boat and your anchor. I hope someone with your boat chimes in with some advice.

You could try calling Hi-Tec Stainless and see if they can recommend a newer part that replaces the part you want.

Hi Tec Stainless Inc
6790 124th Avenue
Fennville, MI 49408-9632
Phone: (269) 543-4205

Finally, the bow roller will help you with leverage and give you a place to store the anchor, but you will still need to lift it. Obviously a windlass will solve that problem but they are expensive and may be difficult to install on your boat.

Have you see this thing? I never tried one but it's cheap:

http://www.ironwoodpacific.com/store/p/ ... cific.aspx

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

You could have a windlass installed.

Craig C.

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2003 Vista 248, VP 5.0 GXi-C, DP

Thanks fellas.

The boat ring looks interesting -- I'll give them a call to find out how it works.

I did talk with Hi-Tec Stainless (very nice people) but they told me they don't have a replacement nor any solution. They are just up the road from where I live in Michigan.

A windlass won't fit on my bow. I've already checked with a few boating stores here on thew west side of the state. The 1999 238/258V bow profile is such that there is not enough level surface to install a typical windlass roller - or so I've been told.

However, I truly appreciate your comments -- any other ideas would be welcome.

Did u ask if they could check stock of all the dealers in the us? I actually bought 1 for our old boat 99 vista but sold it on ebay after I sold the boat.

The design of the roller is such that it bolts on the hull just below the rub rail, so it had some crazy compound angles bent on it where it bolted to the hull.

Ask them if they still have the blue print on the roller, there is a shop near me that could pull it off. Just a thought.

_________________
Jeff

'14 Cruisers 380 Express "Simon Sez"
Merc 8.2 Mag MPI 380
DTS B3X, (x2) Axius Premier


(SOLD)
'08 V318
Merc 350 Mag MPI 300
DTS Seacore, B3 (x2)

Jsimon - Jeff

When you bolted the roller onto the hull did it just hang there or was there some locking mechanism for the anchor?

a local Four Winns dealer found an OEM roller bow but he thinks there is some kind of latch mechanism. He's looking into it.

Will give the guy some credit here:


Jim Browley at Four Winns in Grand Haven, Michigan.

Jim is correct. A good guy and salesman who can hold his own with anyone tipping a few beers after work.
Most all deck mounted anchors that are winched, or manually retrieved have a chain safety latch. This is what Four Winns uses on most of their cruisers. This is what you need.



http://www.duskyonline.com/332-AT3-p-an ... tches.html

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

Current Boat: 2004 Chaparral 235 ssi cuddy

Great --Cap'n Morgan - that's very helpful!

I'm new to boating and certainly new to the board. You guys have all been just great. ! Thanks.

Here is a link to more than 40 bow rollers. You will need to measure to see, which one is the best fit. http://www.defender.com/category.jsp?pa ... sort=price

As to the windlass, http://www.defender.com/category.jsp?pa ... 1&id=29596 again you need to take measurements. Also, go the there web site and download the installation templet. This will give you the foot print on the windlass to see were and how it will fit.

I find that this type of anchor lock works better. http://www.defender.com/product.jsp?pat ... &id=934473

None of the bow rollers I sw online were even close to how the OEM was mad eto fit the 1999 258V bow profile. Actually the OEM part fit just above the rub-rail on the hull. So----

---- 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 into the locker 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, or shop around for someone who could work this all out. Besides Jim at Four Winns was just great to work with. He'll do the work over the winter.

Big kudos and thanks for all the comments and suggestions.

Darlene

Are you still looking for the bow roller 031-0358 for a Four Winns Vista? I am an owner of a 1996 258 Vista Deluxe and have been looking for one of these for the past two years... I decided to make one myself and just had all the parts and materials delivered to me.. I have access to a TIG welder and a water jet cutter.. I had the chance to copy one on the identical boat next to me at the marine where I keep my boat. I know these rollers new went for about $375.00 new. I'm making mine out of 316 Series Stainless and it will look identical to the original one. But I am making a slight change to the retainer pin at the very end. 1/8 is the original size but I am using a 5/16 dia. pin. as this pin takes a beating and they can bend over time.
Please let me know if you are interested and I will price and make one out for you.

John in CT

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1996 256 Vista DLX
350-W Ford / OMC 5.8 FSI Fuel Injected
Volvo DP-S Drive

To John in CT. I'd be interested in talking to you about having you make one for me. I have a '96 238Vista, I too am in CT-- Fairfield.....
thanks,

Steve

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"For My 50th"
1996 238 Vista
5.7VolvoGL DP
Previous boats; 91 Cobia 19' Cuddy, 87 Starcraft 16' BR,
67 Winner BR, 65 Arrow 14'

If you can get this made and get pictures of it, I know of someone else that may be interested also. He tried to get a shop to make one for his boat last spring and the shop sort of flaked out and didn't get it done.

I'd like to see the design and installation to confirm it would work on his 99 V258.

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

To Rotary...
If you go to the Four Winns website, see what bow roller part No. they call out for that boat... If they call for a 031-0358 Bow Roller, then this is what I am making. They have pictures of it too. It works with a plow style anchor very well. People use them with a Danforth too.

_________________
1996 256 Vista DLX
350-W Ford / OMC 5.8 FSI Fuel Injected
Volvo DP-S Drive

To Steve...
I got your e-mail.... just replied..
John in CT

_________________
1996 256 Vista DLX
350-W Ford / OMC 5.8 FSI Fuel Injected
Volvo DP-S Drive