www.iFourWinns.com

I have a new to me 2008 258 vista with a vacuflush toilet. How do you know what the level of the holding tank is? I don't see any obvious indicator, manual doesn't say anything other than a level indicator exists, doesn't say where it is located. I looked in the access port in the floor of the head and all I see are the hoses.
I know I am missing something.....

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--2002 3880 Regal Flybridge | Twin Merc 8.1HO **Seven**
--2003 AB 13 VST Console Inflatable | Tohatsu 40hp TLDI **Phish'n ski**
--310 Mercury Inflatable | 1982 9.9 Johnson

Your boat should be the same as mine. If you have it (it was an option), it should be located next to the vacuflush switch in the head. It will be round and should indicate the fresh water and black water tank levels.

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2006 Vista 278
First Boat:
2005 Sundowner 205
Columbus, OH

HUH. I don't remember there being anything next to the switches. I cleaned it pretty well so I covered most of the area. How large of an indicator is it? The switch on the side of the sink between the toilet and sink. 3 switches, light, toilet, and overboard(I think thats what it is labeled)

_________________
--2002 3880 Regal Flybridge | Twin Merc 8.1HO **Seven**
--2003 AB 13 VST Console Inflatable | Tohatsu 40hp TLDI **Phish'n ski**
--310 Mercury Inflatable | 1982 9.9 Johnson

You have overboard discharge? I wonder if you even have a black water holding tank. I guess that discharge could be grey water also? It is about 2.5" diameter and is pretty obvious. http://www.westmarine.com/webapp/wcs/st ... MgodhiUAow This is what I have.

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2006 Vista 278
First Boat:
2005 Sundowner 205
Columbus, OH

There is definitely nothing like that in the head, course I sometimes don't see things that are right in front of me. I will take a closer look around the engine compartment where the vacuflush equipment is located this weekend. That looks like a gauge on my dash but I thought that one was a fuel vapor sensor. I will take a closer look as well.
Thanks for the pic.

_________________
--2002 3880 Regal Flybridge | Twin Merc 8.1HO **Seven**
--2003 AB 13 VST Console Inflatable | Tohatsu 40hp TLDI **Phish'n ski**
--310 Mercury Inflatable | 1982 9.9 Johnson

Those indicators are inaccurate anyway. I check my tanks by looking under my aft cabin mattress. There are access ports that provide access to the tanks. I use a really strong flashlight to get an idea. Then again, I usually pump out after I fuel up. Have to sit with the blower running anyway.

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-Tony
2016 Robalo R200 w/Yahama 200!

Previous boats:
2003 Four Winns 248 Vista - sold
1994 Sunbird Corsair 200 - sold
1980 Checkmate Predictor - sold

On our 348 it was a 2" round gauge set into the wall above the back of the toilet. It was made by Xintex. It was coupled to a sensor of theirs (which was, appropriately, a piece of shit). Xintex also makes a fume detector. We have one on the helm. They're different.

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-Bill Kearney, 2005 348 Vista

+1. That's how I have been doing it. I have 3 of those Xintex sensors(fresh,toilet,holding) and not one of them have worked as long as I've owned the boat. It sucks to have to do it that way, but it's hard to get more accurate than getting a visual with the flashlight.

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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"

I have not seen any of those gauges for fresh water or holding tank. I will check under the mattress as stated above. I only looked in there quick when we inspected the boat for purchase. I don't mind doing it this way as long as I can find out how much is in there some how. won't be often i need to check. That sounds the most accurate anyways. Will let you guys know this weekend when i go back there.
I figured for the fresh water tank when it ran out it was empty.. That was my gauge....

Still working on the fuel gauge inaccuracy like all boats. When I bought it said just under 1/2. when i got to the gas dock it took over 65 gal. it is only a 75 gal tank.. very accurate..... so going at 3/4 full to see where i am now. Just need to know, i don't care that its inaccurate just that it is reliably inaccurate..

_________________
--2002 3880 Regal Flybridge | Twin Merc 8.1HO **Seven**
--2003 AB 13 VST Console Inflatable | Tohatsu 40hp TLDI **Phish'n ski**
--310 Mercury Inflatable | 1982 9.9 Johnson

I agree with the piece of shit statement. I religiously pump out the head every weekend I use the boat, it's a pain in butt but it's better than overflowing through the vent onto or into one of my friend's boats.

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2004 Vista 298
Twin 5.7L Volvo Penta GXi-E

I replaced mine on my 268 with the new style sensors and it worked just fine.

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

Meanwhile, RTFM:
http://www.fourwinns.com/upload/Documents/OwnersManuals/2008/258-278-Vista-Manual.pdf

Pg 96, J-6a.


If so ordered? It would seem odd to have the more expensive vacuflush option and not have the gauge.

Pg 114 shows where on the waste tank the level sensor would be located. If you don't have a sensor installed then you could probably stop hunting for the gauge...

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-Bill Kearney, 2005 348 Vista

Thank you. Everyone has been extremely helpful on this site.
I will use the flashlight visual inspection method which seems to be the better way anyways.

_________________
--2002 3880 Regal Flybridge | Twin Merc 8.1HO **Seven**
--2003 AB 13 VST Console Inflatable | Tohatsu 40hp TLDI **Phish'n ski**
--310 Mercury Inflatable | 1982 9.9 Johnson

You're not missing anything as those gauges are worthless and checking the holding tank with a flashlight can be a PITA so we just pump it out depending on use. If we use our boat only on the weekend (Friday night, Saturday and Sunday) we get a pump out once a week. If we use our boat all week like we do during the two months the kids are on summer break, then we get a pump out twice a week (Friday and Tuesday). Every now and then we will overflow the tank and you will have to change the $80 holding tank filter so here is a good DIY thread to save you money: http://clubsearay.com/showthread.php/84 ... t=recharge. This is very easy to do and works just as good as a store bought filter.

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Current Boat: 2000 Four Winns 298 Vista
Previous Boat: 2000 Carver 406MY

Pump out your tank, and order/install these.

Problem solved.

http://www.fireboy-xintex.com/liquid-level-monitors.htm

I don't have my receipts...but from the FW parts website it looks like a 9" sensor is needed, I got the PTS, threaded sensor. Both my fresh/waste tanks were located under the aft cabin.

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