www.iFourWinns.com

Hard thing about doing this is the boat is 2 hours away, and of course, the tools that I end up needing are here, at home. Then, I work either 3 or 6 days in a row, so this is taking me half a summer to complete. Quite frustrating. Hopefully, this weekend will be it!

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Gary & Diane
1996 Sundowner 245
Lake Winnipesaukee, NH

So, to clarify...are you replacing the ladder or just adding the steps?

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Current Boat:
2004 Sea Ray 320 Sundancer "Nauti Luvin'"

Previous Boats:
1999 298 Vista "Seas The Day"
2008 H200SS "Nauti Luv"
2006 Tahoe Q4

Well, unfortunately, both. There were (at least) three ladders used on the swim platforms of Four Winns. I took pictures of each, but do not have them loaded on the computer yet. I will do it all at once. I ended up replacing my '96 ladder with a '03 ladder which had plastic covers on the four steps, and once removed, would accept the flat steps, but only on three of the four steps. Also, one of the pads needs to be cut or planed down so that the ladder cover will actually close flush. Not exactly a bolt-on solution. I still try to talk my wife into the ladder I found....attached to a 2007 278 Vista. It was perfect!!

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Gary & Diane
1996 Sundowner 245
Lake Winnipesaukee, NH

I looked into this as well as I got all excited when I found out those plastic pads were available. But for me it looks like it would require an entirely new ladder. Out of the four steps on the ladder...the two middle steps are almost touching when folded...not good. Also, those two steps are almost touching the boat when folded and the covering doors is almost touching the support bars where it comes back into the boat. So if I add anything that would extend past the current steps. Now the ladder support sides would stick up and the door would not close.

Might just add one to the bottom step. I am not willing to shell out $300 for a ladder as this one works just fine.

Any news on the conversion?

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2003 Horizon 240 With 5.7 Volvo Penta

+1 on any new information curious how it went for you??

We finally got back up on the boat last evening. (after hurricanes, work, and life)

I will finish everything up, and post Tuesday evening or wednesday morning when i am back home. (Unless I can remember how to upload to my site via my laptop, which I am unable to remember this morning.) Sux getting older...lol

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Gary & Diane
1996 Sundowner 245
Lake Winnipesaukee, NH

Any updates. Buying an OEM extended platform from the local FW dealer here and right now we are going to reuse my current ladder. But it does not have the pads discussed here. Anyone figure out how to add them?

Does anyone have any more news on making the steps wider? Did the bolt on to the bottom step work?

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Mannix2
Hyde Park, NY

1997 Four Winns 203 Coast Runner-150hp Ocean Pro Evinrude
"BONA 4 TUNA"
1986 19' Bayliner Capri 125 Force

I did end up making it work, but it was not easy, and truly, minimally worth it in the end. The pads gave just a little more step area, and was just okay. The ladder needed to be the type that looks like this:


Then you attach three of these:


to these steps by drilling mounting holes an using stainless steel nut and bolt.



And if I remember right, you could not put that last step on, on the second step up from the bottom, due to clearance issues, shown here, I think.



Sorry that I've never completed this post here, I ended up buying up into a cruiser. The new boat kept me busy and I let things drop. Hopefully this gives a bit of closure on the ladder issue.

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Gary & Diane
1996 Sundowner 245
Lake Winnipesaukee, NH

Been studying my ladder and these pads. I have the 3 step ladder and my ladder just rests on top of swim platform. I know the bottom and middle step would work only question is the top step. My bigger problem is getting the steps. My closest FW dealer is in PA, and is not very interested in ordering inexpensive parts and shipping to me. Does anyone know a dealer who in the Northeast who would appreciate my business?

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Mannix2
Hyde Park, NY

1997 Four Winns 203 Coast Runner-150hp Ocean Pro Evinrude
"BONA 4 TUNA"
1986 19' Bayliner Capri 125 Force

Hey Mannix. Call Melvin Village Marina, in Melvin Village, NH. In the picture, you can see the part number written in red. 031-1505-01 if you can't see it. They were very helpful to me. This is the time of year to call them. They are still frozen in.

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Gary & Diane
1996 Sundowner 245
Lake Winnipesaukee, NH

I live it the middle of Indiana and use them for my parts. Funny story on how I ended up using them as my "local" dealer, but they take good care of me.

What cruiser did you end up buying?

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

Hi Mannix2: I hope to see your end result. I have the 3 step ladder also.

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"Knot Easy" 2000 Horizon 240 Volvo 5.7GS /SX
tow: 2017 Honda PILOT EXL-AWD
prev. boats:
'87 Chaparral 198CXL 4.3 OMC Cobra
'69 Jetstar 16ft Ski Boat, 115hp Yamaha
'68 Aluminum Jon Boat, 3hp Sears
'64 Water Wings

We ended up buying a Rinker 290 Fiesta Vee. We looked at the 268/278's in our area and I ended up going for the larger beam of the 290. It is 31'6" overall, and it is just a nice big boat for our lake. There were not any Four Winns larger than the 278 for sale locally, and I really wanted a fresh-water only boat.

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Gary & Diane
1996 Sundowner 245
Lake Winnipesaukee, NH