www.iFourWinns.com

Currently my 2000 268 vista is without a windlass, it has some of the switches and the panel is labeled for it but I am wondering if they run the wires even if it wasn't a factory ordered option. Is there one brand that works better in the vista than others?

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

My Vista 298 came with a Maxwell Freedom Series 500. It is a low profile unit and works well. It has capacity for 1/2 inch line (recommend Lewmat 8 plait line) and 1/4" chain. I don't know about the factory pre-wiring.

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2002 Vista 298 VP 5.0Gxi

Bndfishing

We have an '03 268 Vista ours too did not have a windlass. I talk to my local four winns dealer about putting one on and they gave me a price to put a Lewmar horizontal unit on. I wastn so keen on the price they quoted so without knowing much more that what the dealer told me I searched online and found the same windlass for about $790.00.

Nothing to complicated about the install, except there was not the main wiring for the unit. I had to run I think it was 4 guage aor maybe 2 guage wire from the battery switch thru a breaker to the anchor locker. I mounted a cole hersee DPDT windlass solonoid in the anchor locker to control the unit. The control circuit was wired to the anchor locker from the switch on the dash. I dont remember the wire colors but they should be in your owners manual with the colors of the wires.

Somebody said hindsight is 20/20, I wish I would have looked into what the factory unit was. The Lewmar Pro 700 that I have the anchor rhode jumps off almost everytime I drop anchor and let some line out. Frustrating. From the factory the '03's anyway would have had the Maxwell vertical windlass on them. From what I have seen (no expereince though) it doesnt look as if the line can jump off the vertical unit like they can off the horizontal ones.

If I had it to do over I would put a vertical windlass on. Granted you will have to cut a much bigger hole in the top of the boat over the anchor locker, but in the end I am sure you will be much happier.

If the boat wasnt in storage I would take some pictures for you.

Jeff Simon

'03 268 Vista "Simon Sez"

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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)

Thanks for the help, this looks like a good spring project. Lots of spring fishing and Sauvie Island sun soaking coming in the summer. BTW how do you anchor just off the beach? Around here we always have current to deal with, in my old boat we used a bow and stern anchor to keep the bow pointed into the wakes.

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

[quote="jsimon"]BTW how do you anchor just off the beach? Around here we always have current to deal with, in my old boat we used a bow and stern anchor to keep the bow pointed into the wakes.

Out in the Saginaw Bay where we go alot, the same thing. Most everybody anchors stern towards the beach on the sandbar, regardless of whech way the wind is out of. Sometimes you dont need a rear anchor but most times you do, to keep from swinging all over the place.

Jeff

'03 268 Vista "Simon Sez"

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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)

Don't know if the link still works. But there is a good explanation of how a windlass was installed on a 1999 268 Vista here.
http://www.othergate.com/index.php?q=aH ... NC5odG0%3D

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

Current Boat: 2004 Chaparral 235 ssi cuddy

They did run the wiring in some of the boats, only way to find out is call the dealer and they will probably have to call the factory to find out. Of course four winns is on a shut down right now until Jan 19th.

You shouldn't have to call the factory. Pull the Windlass switch off the dash panel, and you will see the wires attached, or not. They wire from the switch to the bow, and you just need to attach the wires to the windlass at installation time. If there are no wires attached, obviously you will have to run them yourself.

Per this article in the Cadillac News, the plant went back to work yesterday. But this is an older announcement, I suppose things may have changed since then the way the economy is now.

http://www.cadillacnews.com/story_news/ ... &year=2008

Chalk, are you at Cooper's Marina ? Nice boating around there.

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

Current Boat: 2004 Chaparral 235 ssi cuddy

quick note here those wires the cap'n is talking about would be attached to a solenoid not the windlass. You are gonna have to look for some 8awg in there as well to power the windlass. On my Vista I had to run it but others on this site had it ran from factory.

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Walter

2003 248 Vista - VP 5.0 GXi
2009 Toyota Tundra SR5 5.7L 4x4

I guess I over simplified my comment. From the link I posted above, here is what Al found in his 1999 268 Vista.



So I guess it depends on the windlass you choose,if your boat is pre-wired, etc......

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

Current Boat: 2004 Chaparral 235 ssi cuddy