www.iFourWinns.com

Remember new Vista Owner! We had a great weekend on the lake, stayed overnight on the boat for three nights. All went well loading that big sucker on the trailer. I was very happy until we heard something snap as we were driving away from the lake and found that we forgot to put the marine radio antenna down and snapped it off at the base. Any idea how to replace this.

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2003 268 Four Winns Vista
F-350 King Ranch Diesel (Tow)
1990 Four Winns Fredom 180

Better off just buying a new one... Shakespeare is your best bet.

there's lots of options and prices vary greatly. I don't know what FW ships with from the factory, but I know the Shakespeare 5102 is a popular, value friendly choice here in the Pacific Northwest.

http://www.westmarine.com/webapp/wcs/st ... %7C1?N=377 710 1407 4294965314&Ne=69&Ntt=antenna&Ntk=Primary Search&Ntx=mode matchallpartial&Nao=30&Ns=Most Popular|1&keyword=antenna&isLTokenURL=true&storeNum=5003&subdeptNum=3&classNum=309

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2008 318 Vista -SOLD, but I am still around!
All Night Long, Seattle WA

Thank You Very Much !

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2003 268 Four Winns Vista
F-350 King Ranch Diesel (Tow)
1990 Four Winns Fredom 180

Can anyone tell me how to replace this antenna. Should I take it to a dealership?

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2003 268 Four Winns Vista
F-350 King Ranch Diesel (Tow)
1990 Four Winns Fredom 180

Kind of partial to the Digital brand antennas, if money is no object buy a Morad. I and most of the people I go offshore with have had way too many problems with Shakespeare. The Digital antennas will handle rough conditions much better and have better range. Cut the connector off the new antenna, cut the old cable off at the mast. Tape the 2 together and use the old cable as a fish tape to pull the new cable through. Solder on a new connector DO NOT USE A CRIMP-ON CONNECTOR you will have problems later on and spend time diagnosing the problems.

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2000 268 Vista "Reely Nauti"
http://www.facebook.com/#!/rivercruiser

Unfortunately, I snapped off my VHF antenna this past weekend backing it back into the covered slip.

Is cutting and soldering the best way to replace the antenna as suggested above? I like the idea of using the old as a pull string.

Not sure if I even need the thing on Lake Lanier. Cell Phones work just fine out there. Even if I need a tow, i can call the marina tow service on the cell phone. I guess i could just snip it off for now.

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2007 Four Winns Vista 358

replace it, it is great to have in an emergency. Imagine you have an accident and your phone is thrown overboard or damaged, your VHF may be the only way to ask for help. Relatively a cheap repair that could save a life.

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1999 298 Vista [color=#FF0000]Sold!!!
twin Volvo 5.7GXI

Woody: Pour you a beer, Mr. Peterson?
Norm: Alright, but stop me at one...make that one-thirty

Well, since we are talking about breaking things off of our Vistas....I will come clean....

Sunday, it was pretty windy...as I was exiting the slip, the wind pushed me into the starboard side. It turns out that the engine room vent cover sticks out farther than the rub rail...POP, off it goes into the water. I called my local dealer and they can get it from Four Winns (2 week lead time, appears that they have to mfr it) for about $100.00.

Remember...new Vista owner....be gentle.

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Current Boat:
2004 Sea Ray 320 Sundancer "Nauti Luvin'"

Previous Boats:
1999 298 Vista "Seas The Day"
2008 H200SS "Nauti Luv"
2006 Tahoe Q4

New Vista owner, hell that can happen to anyone! I have one from a 268, I bet there the same, the one i have has a small scratch in it. If interested check the FW parts site and make sure, ill get you a pic of it. Ill make you a good deal on it

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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)

What year is the 268?

Edit: Nevermind...I did some searching, wont fit mine. Thanks though.

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Current Boat:
2004 Sea Ray 320 Sundancer "Nauti Luvin'"

Previous Boats:
1999 298 Vista "Seas The Day"
2008 H200SS "Nauti Luv"
2006 Tahoe Q4

I was at work and didnt have time to look it up, i would of thought they would of been the same though.

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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)

110-50197 VENT COVER, STBD 338V/328V/298V
Valid for boats produced from 12/01/1998 thru today.

UOM: EA Qty: 1.0000 Contact your dealer for pricing.


Next task is figuring out how the heck to get into the right spot to replace it. I am wondering if taking out my transom shower box will yield enough room, or access to it. Otherwise, its going to take a 2 year old to get up in the hole to reach the mounting boats.

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Current Boat:
2004 Sea Ray 320 Sundancer "Nauti Luvin'"

Previous Boats:
1999 298 Vista "Seas The Day"
2008 H200SS "Nauti Luv"
2006 Tahoe Q4

Ahhh...the joys of boat ownership. It's always worse when you break it yourself....at least I've always felt that way.

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'01 Vista 298

While we're at it, anyone know where I can order "J-Channel" for the bottom of a swim platform?

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-Tony
2016 Robalo R200 w/Yahama 200!

Previous boats:
2003 Four Winns 248 Vista - sold
1994 Sunbird Corsair 200 - sold
1980 Checkmate Predictor - sold

I am replacing my antenna with one from Digital http://www.boatersland.com/dig528v.html Still waiting for my new boat to be derived, I had it on my last one.

For a few reasons, the new one will be a 4 footer with 4.5 db gain. Not as good as an 8 footer 6db, but better than most in it's class. The big reason is size, if I go under a bridge or trailer it, I don't have to worry. If I do have to lower it, it's not in my way.

One of the good thing about Digital, the connector end come per-made. The barrel will unscrew and the rest of the connector is no bigger than the coax. So if you need to fish it some were its a lot easier.

These VHF antennas for the most part are built to a standard size. 1in-14 thread to bolt to. Which you can but anywhere!!!!

What I did last year, is forgot to take the rods off the arch. I knew I would clear the bridge, the attenna was fine, but I broke one rod in half and sent rust everywere!!!!!!!!!!