www.iFourWinns.com

Well, I've just purchased a 268 Vista (yr 2000) and am quite excited about it. It's the largest boat I've owned and I have a great deal to learn about many things. Fortunately, (well not really I suppose) I have the winter to do some reading and research.

To start with, I'm wondering if it's possible to have a tender with this size of a boat. If so, what's the best way to transport it and what size is suitable?

I'm sure I'll have many more questions but we'll start off with this.

I also apologize in advance if this has been covered. I have searched this forum but haven't found anything.

Thanks

Randy

I have a 8' inflatable with a 3.5hp motor that I use for my V258. (looking for a 5hp) I stow the motor in the locker just in front of the swimming platform. Then I pull the bow of the inflatable up on to the platform and tie it off.

For me, this is the only way I can tow it. I have tried towing it with 15 to 50 feet of line out and wants to flip over and go air born past 20 knots. I have even tried it with the motor on it, its even worse & almost lost the motor in doing so.

Randy,
Congrats on your new 268 and welcome to the forum! One option it to get a roll up dingy with a wood slatted floor or a inflatable drop stitch floor and store it on the bow. I know this may not be ideal but it is nice to have the swim platform wide open, and really the only time you have to walk on the bow is for anchoring duty. We've had great success using an inflatable 2 person kayak. Takes less than 10 mintues to get from bow to in the water ready to go!

A 14ft 2 person kayak rolled up and held down with one ratchet strap


Just one of many options! Good Luck and let us know what setup you end up going with.

Ben

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Our Boating Blog: http://ben-dana.blogspot.com/

2005 268 Vista "Sea Pickle II"
1979 AMF Alcort Puffer
Previous:
2003 FW190 Horizon
1973 Startcraft 18ft "Sea Pickle"

Forgive me, I had a roll-up and I tell everyone, "Don't buy it!" Why, because there is no keel! With out a keel, it will not go straight if there is any wind. The keel will keep it from slipping over the water. It will act like a sail boat with no running board. If the wind picks up and your going one way and your steering another. Your going to wish you had that keel!

The other problem with a roll up. If water gets in, it will act like a tub and you will get wet. There is nowhere for the water to go.

The best ones are the ones with the inflatable floor/deck. Below that floor is the keel, about 2 to 6" of space depending on size and were under the floor. If water gets in, it will drain under the floor and into the keel keeping your feet much drier than a roll-up.

Are they more money and heaver, yes! The bow of the infalable is only on my platform when I am on plane and I only take it with me when needed. I could take the air out if it & stow it, but I don't use it every time I go out. So I leave it at the slip. As Bliss mentioned, this is one of many options.

ANY ONE OUT THERE SELLING A 5 or 6HP MOTOR??

Sorry Randy I guess there is only one option
Btw our kayak has a kick up skeg and paddles straight as an arrow in any wind

_________________
Our Boating Blog: http://ben-dana.blogspot.com/

2005 268 Vista "Sea Pickle II"
1979 AMF Alcort Puffer
Previous:
2003 FW190 Horizon
1973 Startcraft 18ft "Sea Pickle"

I have at least 1/2 dozen friends with various types of inflatables. Dingy w/davits, kayak, raft etc. None of them have a keel, and knowone but Paul seems to think you need one. They steer just fine in most conditions except gale force winds, especially with a motor. Nothing wrong with a keel, but I see no need to rule out ALL choices that don't have a keel. Makes very little sense.

We bought 2 kayak's this year, they are not inflatable. Neither has a keel, and they even have a small sail if you want. Paddle straight as an arrow with out a keel. we had them out in 20 mph winds on Lake Michigan, surfing some waves. You just paddled wherever you wanted to go.

For your 268 Vista, an 8 foot inflatable dinghy with weaver davits and a small outboard would work well.

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

Current Boat: 2004 Chaparral 235 ssi cuddy

Now your making me feel bad. When you say "roll-up" this is what I think of http://www.mercurymarine.com/inflatable ... m/roll-up/ not a kayak.

No need to feel bad. The OP simply asked for TENDER options. Had he specifically asked what hard hard bottom inflatable with davit setup works best I would not have posted anything because I have no experience with those. A forum works best when many different options and point of views are expressed, and the OP can decide what works best for him or her. Thats why at the bottom of my post you can read "one of many options". The decisions is theirs, not yours or mine.

_________________
Our Boating Blog: http://ben-dana.blogspot.com/

2005 268 Vista "Sea Pickle II"
1979 AMF Alcort Puffer
Previous:
2003 FW190 Horizon
1973 Startcraft 18ft "Sea Pickle"

I think your a little rough on me. I guide to buying a... http://www.apexinflatables.com/how_to_buy_guide.pdf

"The flat-bottom boat with a slatted floor offers easy storage and
assembly, but at the price of several drawbacks! These boats are
extremely difficult to stand in. In addition, they cannot have a keel and,
therefore, will no track or plane, thereby greatly reducing performance,
stability and enjoyment"

Here is a 268 Vista with an inflatable dinghy(tender) on davits. This, or something similar is all you would need.



And here is a V258 with a similar set up.

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

Current Boat: 2004 Chaparral 235 ssi cuddy

In it self, thats a great system. I think there is not enough of the hight differnce beween the wind shield and the inflatable. The inflatable is going to catch the wind and put a lot of stress on key points.

I guess it depends on what you want to do with it. Do you really need one that planes? Are you expecting to run it all over the lake at 30mph with four people on board? Or do you just need to get from the boat to shore and back?

I'm considering the roll up kind. I just need something to get to shore and back and maybe a trip to the beer store when rafted up with others. Don't need one that planes and would prefer the smallest(lightest) motor possible for it. I have friends who have the three piece solid floor with inflatable keel. They are a nice ride but are far from light weight and are definitley not quick to inflate/put together.

This is what I'm considering:
http://www.westmarine.com/webapp/wcs/st ... Slat_Floor

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2004 248 Vista "Amante"
MC 5.0MPI/B3

From the above link "Takes getting used to having poor steering in tight places - no keel" & "Hard to steer"

From: http://www.myboatsgear.com/newsletter/2009926.asp
Mostly powered by oars. The first thing you will notice with a true inflatable is the bottom. The bottom is mushy and flat which means walking around is limited, but its small. The bottom does not give any directional stability, maneuvering takes some skill.

Lots of different choices.

Having a 268 as my last boat, I'd get something that you can store easy or get davits. There is not a lot of room on a 268.

I have a 8'6" inflatable Baltik with an inflatable floor. For the money, it can't be beat. Although, with a 5hp two-stroke it will not plane out, but works just fine for around the marina or over to the beach.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/A-8-5-INFLATABL ... 2eb15def58

I did have a 10' Newport vessels wood floor dinghy before that. Air floor is much lighter and easier to set up and tear down. I'll always have an air floor from now on....the floor is pretty tough and durable.

My 318 had a hard bottom Achillies with Weaver Davits when I bought it. I sold the hard bottom dink but kept the davits. I am not using them currently as we haven't had to take the dinghy with us on any trips just yet.

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2007 358 T-5.7GXi IB
Previous Boats
'08 H240, '08 V318, '04 268, '04 225

I bought the same one. And yes "For the money, it can't be beat"