www.iFourWinns.com

The Latch for the companionway on my 1997 Vista 278 broke, and the companionway no longer locks as designed.

Of course, the part is discontinued and NLA with Four Winns, the manufacturer went out of business during the recession.

What the heck am I supposed to do now?! The way the companionway is set up, I cannot fathom a decent looking way to lock it with aftermarket items. My friend suggested having the parts recreated by somebody with a 3D printer, but who's got one of those?!

Im posting a picture of the latch that I need, and am open to suggestions PLEASE. Thanks

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1997 Four Winns Vista 278
T - 4.3l EFI
Kohler 4esz Genset
379 hours as of 8/8/21

Google companionway locks and latches. When you see the price of them you will figure out how to fix what you have

Just an update...

I found a guy with a 3D printer that is recreating the latches for me! He even offered to make them out of aluminum so I wouldnt have to ever worry about them breaking again.

I opted to have 4 made... and will be selling the other 2. Four Winns or its supplier does not offer the latch ("slam latch") anymore. They are completely obsolete.

_________________
1997 Four Winns Vista 278
T - 4.3l EFI
Kohler 4esz Genset
379 hours as of 8/8/21

Another update....

The plastic printed re-makes I had made by the 3D printer guy all broke over the period of the 3 years I used them. Back to the drawing board!!

Every time I log into ebay, I always search certain things "four winns door" "Four winns latch" "Four winns ___________" and something told me last week to check again for the latches. SURE SH*TTING there was a BAG of THEM New Old Stock on Ebay!!!! Talk about obsolete NOS. Still in the Four Winns bag from the factory.

Now I have 4 brand new OEM NOS ones. I am going to baby those things, lol.

_________________
1997 Four Winns Vista 278
T - 4.3l EFI
Kohler 4esz Genset
379 hours as of 8/8/21