www.iFourWinns.com

OK, I love my 298 Vista, its a great boat. But I feel I have to pick a bone with the engineers / designers...

The background: I have a son starting college. He does have a full Army 4 year scholarship, but that does not pay room and board. So, our expenses are going up, plus I have a 16 year old son who just got his license so more insurance. Plus feeling generally conservative due to the economy's impact on my industry (I work in a hospital). So, after getting the boat dewinterized, which included a needed new coat of bottom paint, plus a couple of unexpected spring glitches I decided to tackle my sudden lack of water pressure myself, plus replace the filter cartridge for our vacuflush system. Saved myself around $200 in shop fees I think.

So, here I am, trying to peer through the 5 inch slit you have to work through to get to the water pump, only able to see and get one arm in, or not see and get both arms in. Barely got the old pump out, and almost never figured out how to get the new one (identical to the old) BACK through the slot!!! Like doing a real life Tetris puzzle. Finally got it in and one handed got two of the mounting screws done (gonna leave the other two till next time) and bingo, still no water pressure. Finally figured out how to turn the water off and finagle the filter out and boy was it gunked up. Still working blind with two hands finally got the filter back in and boy did the water flow then.

Huffing and puffing I decide what the heck, lets get that filter done. Now you owners of these small twins know there's not much room in the engine room, but you have to be an orangutan to get the back hose back on a new filter. I twisted, sucked in my stomach, turned this way and that, till I was finally able to JUST get my hand on that back hose and get her started. I had to take a breath, suck it in, and lunge to get each turn a little tighter.

Plus, why does the engine room hatch of the 298's have to be a single heavy piece? My old 92 270 Sundancer had an engine room hatch in two pieces that overlapped. It was a LOT easier to handle. I do NOT like hefting that hatch!

I can't believe that there is not a way to make user servicable stuff easier to get to. Just can't believe it!

There I feel better. Home, showered and cooled down. But you know what....

It was all a whole lot more fun than working around the house!!!

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1999 Four Winns Vista 298, 5.0 VP DP
Goosepond Marina
Lake Guntersville
Scottsboro, Alabama

I just replaced the pump on my 298 so I know the feeling. Why they didn't make the removeable plate bigger I have no idea. There is a lot of space down there and if that section was wider then 10 inches it would make the job much easier. The engine hatch is repeatedly the worst rated feature on our boats. What I find best is to not completely remove it but lift the two legs supporting the rear bench up and slide the cover back against the transom. It exposes 95% of the entire opening. Whats left covered by the hatch is right over the engines anyways. Do you have genny? I'm glad I don't as it would make working on anything done there expontenially harder.

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-Tom
2003 298 Vista

Good idea about the engine hatch. I usually remove it because the carpet is in the way. If I removed the carpet then I could do that. When I'm doing this kind of stuff I'll give that a try.

I do have a genny. Here in Alabama AC is a must. When anchored out having the TV/DVD for my 7 year old going, the AC, microwave and stove for sides for what I'm cooking on the grill, the genny is worth the hassle. But it does EAT space in that engine room.

Gotta go back to the boat and put everything in its place so we can finally take our whole again boat out this weekend.

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1999 Four Winns Vista 298, 5.0 VP DP
Goosepond Marina
Lake Guntersville
Scottsboro, Alabama

Can't say as I've never seen the engine compartment on a 298, but have you considered contacting the factory and asking their recommended procedure?

I had a devil of a time trying to figure out how to deal with replacing the water heater on our 348. One e-mail exchanged with FW enlightened me as to removing the base (decking) of the seating above it. This allowed considerably better access. Don't know if there's a similar option on a 298 though, but it never hurts to ask.

That and sometimes you have to remove something else that's just barely in the way to make the job easier. While it's "more work" to pull apart two things, the removal of that first one often makes it MUCH simpler to do the second. Again, can't say that applies here but it's often true in cars and boats alike.

I'm just glad I don't have a searay. Have you seen the engine compartments in those? Cripes, but it's nearly impossible to get to anything in a 320/340/350. Talk about requiring a bilge monkey...

One tip, get a utility or movers blanket to lay over the engine(s). The tough quilting will shield your belly and your clothes from getting ripped by the dozens of different hose clamps all over the place. I forgot to bring mine when I replaced the water filter yesterday. Now I've got another 'work' shirt with holes and a few nasty scrapes.

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-Bill Kearney, 2005 348 Vista

Sooner Boater... I hope I won't be replaing our water pump anytime soon... Question for you... where do you mount your grill?

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Stacy & Isora in Annapolis, MD
2005 Vista 298

Good tips all. I'm afraid to put my 200lbs + on top of the engines. Is that really OK?

I mount my grill on the aft rail right where the swim ladder is. Its a Magma. Since the swim platform is so big, I have plenty of room for it and the locker still opens fine. We also have a Magma grill / bait table mounted on the rail next to it and it also leaves the locker accessible.

I've got an e-mail in to Four Winns for other purposes. I've not called them. I'm asking about options to fix my sagging headliner in the aft cabin. I'm afraid to drill up into it without knowing if there is a mounting board, or just the fiberglass. Anyway, I've not heard a response from them in over a week.

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1999 Four Winns Vista 298, 5.0 VP DP
Goosepond Marina
Lake Guntersville
Scottsboro, Alabama

You want to avoid mashing down on any one point with too much weight. Like don't mash a knee down hard into the spark plug wires or other sensitive stuff. Most engines have a large plastic shroud on top them. And that appears to handle the load of my midsection without strain. I use the blanket mainly to keep myself from getting cut up by the hose clamps.

On an engine with a carb and a flame arrestor on top that might not work as well. That's where the the utility blanket can help. Bunch it up a bit to protect things under it and that gives a larger area to spread the load. Perhaps also removing the arrestor (air cleaner) to get a more flattened area.

The key being a large resting area, not a pinpoint of too much force. There's no good way to be a 200# bilge monkey, just ways to keep it as painless as possible. No sense being all stiff from trying to fix something and having that ruin your free time. (he says, wondering about not following his own advice...)

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-Bill Kearney, 2005 348 Vista

Hose clamps and the cut ends of cable ties are always as sharp as razor blades. I usually use beach towels (they're handy) but a movers blanket would be better. Added plus, you don't get yelled at for getting grease and blood on the beach towels.

Sometime latex gloves can give you a little extra layer of skin and a better grip. I bought a box for gross stuff, but once you own the box, you find that they help for oil and grease and even stop a few minor cut and scrapes.

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2008 V358 Two-tone Blue V/P Dual Prop 320 HP
Lake Winnipesaukee, NH

Again, thanks for the tips. With a kid in college and another hitting that road in two years I'll probably be hanging on to this boat and doing the work I can do to keep expenses under control. (Now where did I put that old movers blanket???)

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1999 Four Winns Vista 298, 5.0 VP DP
Goosepond Marina
Lake Guntersville
Scottsboro, Alabama

Always a good idea. Sorta like not using the roasting pan for cleaning carburetor parts. Likewise using gloves, but I prefer the nitrile ones as they're usually a little thicker than latex. I keep a box on board.

I bought both the gloves and the blankets at Harbor Freight.

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-Bill Kearney, 2005 348 Vista