www.iFourWinns.com

Ok I have a 99 Vista 258 and there are about 4 others in my marina. One thing I noticed and I wanted to see if anybody else experiences this:

1.) Rear after camper canvas piece sags. We had it re-stitched to make it not sag (still sags), and installed "jaw slides" for the rails to no avail. Started ripping screens from the tension.

2.) Our engine hatch is "soft" right around the fixed table mount. Apparently FW doesnt seal the mounts and any water (especially when you wash the floor) goes into the mount, right into the engine hatch. Great engineering!

3.) We installed OEM portlights because ours were fixed (non opening). What a dumb design; water pools in the port lights, drips past the seals no matter how tight you have the tabs to keep them closed, and stains the carpet on the walls.

4.) The cup holder that folds out from the port side. Ours has broken twice. We never use it.

I do love my 258 Vista to death but wanted to see how "common" my problems are. Ive talked to other 258 Vista owners and we all seem to have the same problems.

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1997 Four Winns Vista 278
T - 4.3l EFI
Kohler 4esz Genset
379 hours as of 8/8/21

Mine's a '98 278 but it's the same hull design as yours. I don't have the canvas issues, and I have dual engine hatches, both of which are solid, but I do share the same issue with leaks from the portlights. Fortunately for me I trailer mine and store it inside, but the stains are already there from when the previous owner had it. That isn't all that uncommon with other manufacturers' boats from what I hear.

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USCG 50 Ton Master Inland/OUPV Endorsement+Towing

1998 278 Vista - Twin 4.3 GLs, Kohler 4KW Gen, AC/Heat.
1999 Yamaha Waverunner SUV
2003 Yamaha Waverunner SUV w/MR-1 HO conversion

No its not uncommon at all, just a crappy thing to look at. On our friends 268 Vista, the port lights are facing the opposite direction (different hull design). Its too bad the port lights for the 258 didnt have drain holes or something so that water wouldnt pool there

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1997 Four Winns Vista 278
T - 4.3l EFI
Kohler 4esz Genset
379 hours as of 8/8/21

My floor is solid!

The port holes, I prefer the fixed mounts just for this reason, It was a pain in the ass on my 238)

Never used that cup holder before!

And yes the canvas is a pain, but still alot better set up than many others out there in regards to the room!!!!!

As for canvas, I am going to have 4 tabs sewn on my bimini top, near the connections of the side curtails and top, so it will cover this area and allow water to run off and not drip in!

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Boating is not an expense, it's a lifestyle!!

Ok so I know whose engine hatch Im going to steal over the winter, hahah

I dont know how you stand having a fixed portlight in the head. That was miserable for us, especially during showers.

Never used that cup holder before!

And yes the canvas is a pain, but still alot better set up than many others out there in regards to the room!!!!!


Ken, next time we tie up, I want to take a look at what you did to the canvas. Sounds like you have a really good fix there!!

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1997 Four Winns Vista 278
T - 4.3l EFI
Kohler 4esz Genset
379 hours as of 8/8/21

Sounds good, I'll be back on LSC after the 1st week of August.

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Boating is not an expense, it's a lifestyle!!