www.iFourWinns.com

My 2001 328 Four Winns that we recently purchased has most options, however it never had a VHF radio. I just purchased the Icom M304 VHF radio and a good quality antenna I wish to install this coming weekend.

For you guys that own a 328 you can visualize where the factory installs the VHF and ideally I'd like to place my VHF there. Problem is I have been told most VHF manufacturers do not make the sleeve inserts anymore and the Icom 304 I purchased has the small brackets that are meant to tighten up with access from behind the panel. Problem is there is no access behind the panel where the factory one is installed. There is a speaker close below that I could remove to try to tighten the screws on this small bracket, but trying to gain access through the one speaker for both sides of the VHF radio would seem unlikely.

Would you guys consider just using an adhesive in this case and forgetting about the bracket? Another option would be to use the bracket provided with the unit and just install the VHF below the gear shift. It would not be flush mount and you could still use the speaker hole to fish power and the VHF antenna wire.

All comments are welcomed. I want to install this VHF this weekend and do a good job as we are starting our annual two week boating vacation shortly thereafter. Is it somewhat normal to use a adhesive in replace of a holding bracket. That has been suggested to me by West Marine. The area on the 328 where the radio is installed is slightly on a downward angle.

Thanks,
Mike.

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Current Boat
- 2001 Four Winns 328 Vista "Hour Decision"
- 2010 310 Mercury Inflatable

Previous Boats
- 30' Doral Prestancia
- 25' Doral Citation

I think you would have to take off the dash panel (behind the steering wheel) to get better access to the factory mounting location. You would have more room to mount it from there than through the speaker hole. Or, remove the shifter, and access through there. Flush mount would be ideal, but mounting it under the shifter, externally is a decent alternative. That is where ours was mounted on our 268, and it was never in the way, and easy to get to. I have also seen them mounted directly below the steering wheel. That is the easiest place to mount it, but not as asthetically pleasing.

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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 feedback Cap'n,

I preferrred to mount the VHF radio where the factory one was installed, but without having the traditional sleeve for the VHF to slide into and to try to install using that Icom little flush mount bracket would be a big pain. If I went with the hassle of trying to use the little flush mount bracket and if I needed to remove the VHF for a problem with the antenna cable, unit itself or wiring I'd need to fiddle with the hassle again.

Maybe, I would be better to use the mounting bracket provided with the unit and mount it below the shifter. I agree with you that this would be a decent alternative. I think I would mount it below the shifter (on the vertical wall directly aft of the shifter) with the sides of the VHF unit facing port/starboard. That location would still have the display easily viewed from the Captains seat and not be in the way.

Watcha think, sound like a plan?

Mike.

_________________

Current Boat
- 2001 Four Winns 328 Vista "Hour Decision"
- 2010 310 Mercury Inflatable

Previous Boats
- 30' Doral Prestancia
- 25' Doral Citation

It's up to you. If it were me, I would go through the hassle of mounting in the factory location. I would ask a friend that maybe is more handy with installs to assist, and have plenty of cold beverages at his disposal. Once you cut the hole, you will have good access to wiring/antenna cable and can use the speaker hole for additional access. I don't like installs to be difficult either, but in this case, since there is a designated location for the VHF, I would want to utilize it. The 328 helm is too purty to disrupt if you can possibly avoid it. The next owner will appreciate it too.

If the flush mount they provided is difficult, you could always cut out a piece of sheet metal as a frame/backing plate for the VHF, paint or powder coat it black,mount the VHF to the plate, then screw the plate to the helm. I did that for our 268 radio, as it did not mount in the hole that was already cut out properly.

I'm only offering suggestions and food for thought.

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

Current Boat: 2004 Chaparral 235 ssi cuddy