www.iFourWinns.com

My first season in my 2006 V278. Almost everything is running smoothly, but I have a qouple of questions for you;

1. I have started to use the windlass. Everything goes well with getting the anchor out. The problem is to get the anchor back in again. The windlass only side slipes and I have to "assist" with my hands to get the anchor out of water. How do I correckt it from side sliping? (being Swedish I am not sure about the word "side sliping - but I hope you understand what I mean)
2. The boat was winterized by the previous owner before I got it. the only thing I did before starting to use the boat was to fill and empty the watertank a number of times. In normal use - the watertank now becomes quickly emptied - self emptied - without me using any water. Where is the problem?

Hope to get input from you. Any input is appreciated.

/Comda

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Four Winns 278 Vista (2006)

Hey Comda,
I'm somewhat of a rookie myself but a couple of thoughts on #2....

I had a scenario a while back where whenever I turned on the "Fresh Water" switch on the cabin lights panel my fresh water tank slowly emptied. I also noticed water leaking from what appeared to be the top of the engine hatch drainage area onto the swim platform. Turned out the shower nozzle at the rear of the boat was not completely shut off and water was slowly dripping from there.

What makes you feel the tank is being emptied? If it's the guages for the fresh water tank I know there have been many reported issues with the guages not being accurate. I believe the fresh water tank is 21 gallons (79 litres) so a leak would be pretty obvious (check the forward and engine bilge areas for water just in case).
If it's a case of no water coming from the fresh water taps ensure you prime the system properly (open all taps...turn on the fresh water switch...water should eventually come out of all locations then close each faucet..the pump should stop by itself...now the system should be properly primed).

Let us know what you find. and good luck!

Nice boat by the way (although I am a bit biased )

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Kevin
'06 V278
8.1 L Volvo
"Heart's Content II"

The hose connecting the water tank to the pump will have push fit couplings (including at the tank itself); the tank/ pipework might have been drained during winterising by undoing one or more of those couplings (they are undone by pushing the collar in and pulling the hose out). If a hose is not pushed in fully on refitting, a joint may look and feel secure but it will leak.

I can't help on the windlass I'm afraid.

Graham

Your windlass has a tension adjustment. You should have a tool that came with the boat that you can use to hand crank the windlass and also adjust the tension. There are two star shaped sockets that the tool goes into. The center one adjusts the tension. I adjust it just enough to get the anchor in but I'm not sure that's the correct method.

Regarding your water tank you certainly have a leak. Take a look at your pump and connections. You can get to the pump be removing the steps going into the cabin.

I'll get a pic of the windlass tool and post it if you don't know what that looks like.

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2008 Vista 278 Volvo Penta 8.1 Gi 375 hp
1999 Horizon 220 5.7 GSi

Guys - you are all wonderful giving me this great input. Flyer51 - great that you told me about the tool for the windlass that I did not know about. I will look closer inside the boat to see if I can find it. Guess it came with the boat? Think I have seen something....

Will also check the water leakage based on your input tomorrow.

Again - many thanks for you kind input!!

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Four Winns 278 Vista (2006)

There is a drain valve on the water heater, check to see if it is closed. It has a white plastic knob. The water heater is usually drained for winter, some people leave the valve open all winter.

Any sailboat shop will have the windlass handle if you can't find yours. The handle will have a star shape to fit in the holes on the windlass. The center hole will tighten the pully to the motor, allowing the windlass to work. You can lossen the center hole to allow the pully to slip and then use the other hole to lift the anchor by muscle.

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

jrcinnh, amazing how good your input was!! The water leakage happened at the drain walve. Also your input on the windlass was perfect. I found the tool and tightened the pully to the motor (the center hole).

All fixed now - amazing how small things like this can make life a lot easier....

Regards, Rolf

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Four Winns 278 Vista (2006)