www.iFourWinns.com

Hi all,

I have a Vista 258 and when I bought it the electric actuator didn't work.
I thought I could handle lifting the engine cover manualy but my back can't
take it anymore.

Has anyone replaced the motor? Is it a hard job to do? Where can I get a motor from.
I didn't want to buy the motor for my dealer.....is there another sorce like mcmaster carr?

Thanks guys

Mark

Have you tried a dealer for the motor? That would be the most logical first step IMO.

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

Current Boat: 2004 Chaparral 235 ssi cuddy

I didn't want to go the dealer........way too much.

Mark - what year is your 258?

_________________
Previously:
2008 V358/Volvo 5.7 GXi Inboards

You can get the manufacturer, part #, specs and price from the dealer, then start searching yourself for a better price. Make sense??

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

Current Boat: 2004 Chaparral 235 ssi cuddy

My thought exactly if you can't find the part # at http://www.fourwinns.net.

_________________
Previously:
2008 V358/Volvo 5.7 GXi Inboards

I think you will find it cheaper to just replace the whole actuator.

Here's a 36" one for $250

http://cgi.ebay.com/ELECTRIC-CYLINDER-ACTUATOR-H115B-36-MP2-FC2-B-0_W0QQitemZ130050565756QQcmdZViewItemQQptZLH_DefaultDomain_0?hash=item1e479e267c

Here's a 24" for $125
http://cgi.ebay.com/12VDC-Warner-Electric-Linear-Actuator-24-stroke-NEW_W0QQitemZ320427748213QQcmdZViewItemQQptZLH_DefaultDomain_0?hash=item4a9afb6b75

Have you taken out your actuator and tried to jump it on battery to see if it might work and that you just have a wiring problem? Sometimes they get jammed up and need a little help too. I would play with the one you have just to make sure it's dead.

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Marc, Kathlin & Nathalie


'89 Chaparral Laser 32

'93 Vista 245, 5.8L w/ King Cobra

Former Boats
'01 H260, 7.4 VP Duoprop
'98 H200, 5.0 GL w/VP SX drive

My boat is 2006.......I can try to take it out and see if i can find a part# off the motor.

I'm replacing mine with a special order gas shock from easylift.com a little over $120 inluding brackets

_________________
2006 Four Winns 278 Vista.
Volvo Penta 8.1L, Duo Prop,
Kohler 5E Generator.

Thanks LazyCat.......thats what I was thinking. Thanks for the tip. Take alot of pics.

Thanks

M.

I took the motor off the actuator and it's an Acculift.......to much to replace.
below is a is a link to what i'm getting. It's an all one and it will lift up too 150 lbs,
so we will see.

http://www.firgelliauto.com/product_inf ... ucts_id=48

It will be a winter project, but I let everyone know.

M.

I just had numerous issues with the actuator and wiring, previous owner had to replace the whole actuator once, I had the motor freshened up after it quit, it worked for two weeks, now it seems I have a wiring problem; 12+ volts on the wires, the motor works when hooked up straight to a battery, but when connected together, it doesn't work. In the mean time I'm waiting for the day I'll drop that hatch on my toes.

I'll have to wait another week or two before I can expect to recieve the shock. I'll post some pictures when it's in.

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2006 Four Winns 278 Vista.
Volvo Penta 8.1L, Duo Prop,
Kohler 5E Generator.

I really like the idea of the gas shocks. I found some cheep actuators....but I still have to have
to make a bypass just incase I 12v fails. I have all winter to figure it out. In the mean time I'll
just keep plenty of asprine handy.

Can't wait to see your install. Are you using one or two shocks? What length and weight?
Man I hope it works.......

I took a few tries to figure it out. I gave the gentleman at Bansbach (easylift.com) as much info as I could. Initially I was thinking to use the same mounting brackets the actuator uses, but we couldn't get that done. The hatch on the portside is odd shaped on the 278 and even the actuator hits the deck. The starboard side is squared and offers a little more room. I'll have to move the genset muffler a little, but that's four screws. The idea is to use the muffler base to mount the shock mount.

After a little shock engineering graphs showing the coordinates of how to properly mount it, we ended up with a single shock a little over 4 feet (1287 mm) extended, and 2+ feet collapsed (687 mm). Shock pressure 605 N. (This company uses the metric system) Any shock not in stock at their Melbourne, Florida office has to be special ordered from Germany. If I gave them the proper weights it should take very little effort to open the hatch.

They can make just about anything to fit your hatch. At first they tried to use a shock that they had in shock, but the choices he gave all came up short. The nice thing is that the hatch will open to 60 degrees instead of the current 45.

All in all it has been nice and easy working with them if that's the route you decide to go.

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2006 Four Winns 278 Vista.
Volvo Penta 8.1L, Duo Prop,
Kohler 5E Generator.

thanks for the info.......I'm trying to figure out what I really need. I would think
it would be easyer to just use one. When I decide I'm going to try to take some
pic's and mybe this will work for more than just my boat.

good luck......It sound like ezlift is a good company to work with.