www.iFourWinns.com

I own a Vista 328 ,(2006) and i have contracted a boat builder to remove the engines, and gen set to facilitate replacement of the transom adapters and outdrives. Need to know how to remove the engine hatch, and the fiber glass section between the hatch and the swim platform, to provide more room for hositing the engines? Sorry, typed year wrong, it is a 2006.

Your boat builder is going to remove the engines but asked you to figure out how to remove the hatch and some fiberglass? For what it's worth, I'd want to find a different "builder" if that happened to me.

I have pressed the builder/shop to narrow down the labor hours to make the swap , to ensure we don't have a runaway on the labor costs. I was trying to help him for the following reasons: 1-his expertise in rebuilding, and building off shore sport fishers in the 50 to 70 foot range is legendary, so it's not a lack of expertise 2-Hatteras is his specialty, so the Four Winns is new territory , except he built a custom hard top for mine to get rid of the bimini top. He likely has the procedure down pat by now, because he planned on contacting Four Winns engineering.

Post pics of the hard top.
I have had to take mine apart before. I think they changed the design. Is your engine hatched hinged or are there 2 floor panels. I have to remove my rear bench and back. You can gain access to the hardware via the transome locker.

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2001 328 Vista "Nauta Dream 2"
AB Inflatable 10AL "Little Dreamer"
2000 248 Vista
1997 225 Sundowner


Mike

Mike,

You are right, that's what we have been told by a Four Winns dealer. THanks, will post pics when i figure out how to do it!

It's fairly easy to get .it all apart I think I had it all out within an hour.
Open up a photbucket account (free) upload your pics there then just copy the image code and paste into your post.
I would love to see pics of your custom hard top.
What is wrong with your. Transom sheild. Did your 328 come with the dreaded xdp drives?

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2001 328 Vista "Nauta Dream 2"
AB Inflatable 10AL "Little Dreamer"
2000 248 Vista
1997 225 Sundowner


Mike

Yes to XDP

Mike,

ran out of patience with PICs . Send Email address, will send some phhotos

Snoopy, can you please tell us what issues prompted the replacement of the adapters and drives? Are the shields leaking or are you trying to avoid future problems? We have had no problems with our drives (yet) and would like a "heads-up" as to what you have experienced?

Thanks

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Current Boat - '04 328 Vista "Be As You Are"

Previous Boats
'04 268 Vista
'97 238 Vista
'94 210 Marada
'88 175 Sunbird

Biggest problem I have had is Muskrats( we have a lot of them)
Sit on top of the drives( when the boat is in the water ) while they eat their clams,
After which they turn and chew the drive bellows . I have used stainless steel mesh to stop
Them, but it is a hassle, so I am swapping the drives for a design that is closed
On top , and the lines and wires are protected when trimmed down. Our lake is problematic for
Pontoon boats, as well, or any vessel they can climb on and chew rubber, wires, or fuel lines.

With all the documented problems that Volvo has had with these drives the muskrat issue is one that I was not prepaired for, thanks for sharing. Good luck

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Current Boat - '04 328 Vista "Be As You Are"

Previous Boats
'04 268 Vista
'97 238 Vista
'94 210 Marada
'88 175 Sunbird

LMAO!

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2004 Four Winns 328 Vista
1997 Larson Cabrio 290 - sold
1988 Rinker Fiesta Vee 248 - sold

When I'm enjoying a frosty on my deck during boating season, I discovered that muskrats are allergic to lead.

Tree rats too.

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07 Azure AZ200,
Previous boat,
95 278 Vista,
And a lot of others.

Ontario, Canada

That's definitely a solution , but would be frowned upon in my Marina.

Sorry - I misunderstood. I understand now that you're going to do that disassembly. Makes sense! Best wishes for the repair!