www.iFourWinns.com

Has anyone installed a ski tow ring on their Vista? I'm thinking about putting one on my '99 258 but am a little leary at this point. I contacted Four Winns and they said it's possible, provided I use an appropriate backing plate such as wood or aluminum, and install the ring low on the transom. The fibreglass here seems rather thin and even with a backing plate across the entire transom, I'd want to be sure before I drill holes.

My intended use is for a quick hook up for towing the kids on the tube (rather than using a harness attached to the tow rings under the extended swim platform).

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1999 258 Vista
2003 Avon RIB280
1991 Freedom 170 (gone but not forgotten)

TSR, I know exactly what you mean. That is probably the only real dissapointment for me with my 268Vista. There really is no good place for a ski tow ring! The dealer would not even attempt to install one because of possible liability. We still do a fair amount of waterskiing and tubing and I wound up hooking up a Y type harness to the lift rings under the swim platform as you mentioned and leaving them there for the season. When not in use I hook it under the swim platform (I put a small ring thru the swim platform ladder well) and when we want to pull a tube or skiier we just disconnect it from the small eye under the swim platform and hook the ski tow rope to the harness. It is not as convenient as a tow ring, but it works without me having to go for a swim to hook the thing up. I would be interested to hear if anyone has come up with something better for this!

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'04 FW 268Vista "Andiamo"

We have hooked up a Y harness to the stern cleats and pulled tubes behind our 268 several times. I didn'nt feel comfortable with one attached below the ESP. Plus, hooked to the cleats , it's easy on easy off.

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

Current Boat: 2004 Chaparral 235 ssi cuddy

Cap'n, I have been tempted to do that also, and it is probably O/K, but those cleats are really not made for that kind of a pull, and the dealer said they would absolutely advise against attaching a skitow rope to the cleats. I decided to play it safe, because it is just not worth somebody getting hurt! If one of those cleats breaks loose while you are pulling a skiier or a tuber, watch out, because the backlash could wind up putting one of those cleats right thru somebody's face. It just is not worth the risk to me. Be careful, Cap!

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'04 FW 268Vista "Andiamo"

I agree, but we have only done it twice. I figured if my boat can be towed by the cleats, it will be strong enough to tow a tube and my 88 lb. daughter down the lake once in a while. Don't worry, we don't use the tube for much more than floating, and transporting chairs, grills,towels and coolers from the boat to the beach. It is a rare occasion to pull a tube for us.

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

Current Boat: 2004 Chaparral 235 ssi cuddy

I hear you! Now pulling a big fat old guy like me up on one ski, now that's a bit too much for those poor cleats! I still do manage to get a few runs in though! Take Care!

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'04 FW 268Vista "Andiamo"