www.iFourWinns.com

In the market for a 268 Vista (2003-2007) and among my "must haves", I think I want it to have a fiberglass radar arch. I like the look and think it really sets the boat off. Problem is the limited selection on or near the Pacific Northwest. What are some of your opinions and experiences with, or without an arch?

Other "must haves";

5.7 VP
trailer
location, location, location!

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2010 278 Vista
5.7 GXi DP

Past:
1999 225 Sundowner
5.7 GSi SX

JSimon might be interested in selling his or at least chiming in here.

I think the arch is a must have for a larger cruiser -- especially if you want/need radar and other electronics.

In the Pacific Northwest - I would say you will want/need it if you plan on cruising vancouver Island, Victoria, and the San Juans.

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2008 318 Vista -SOLD, but I am still around!
All Night Long, Seattle WA

Your right Cougar... Ill chime in.....

When we moved up from our '99 258 to our '03 268, that was one of my top items on the wish list. Why? I love the look of them, we dont have radar at this point, but you never know. I think it sets the lines off on the cruiser (not putting any down that dont like or have) its all personal prefrence.

The 268 was in production from '99 - '05. As far as the fiberglass arch, ours is aluminum, and I believe they all are up to '05, but I dont know for sure. I think they went fibergalss on the '05 V278.

If your interested, I am looking to put a deal together to get a 318 and sell our 268, PM me if interested.

As far as pros and cons to an arch, is bridge clearance, or trailering clearance. Having said that, we have never had an issue with either. Trailer height is 12' 6" and bridge clearance is 10" 6" for the cons. For the pros, for us, looks and somewhere to hang the flatscreen from in the cockpit.

Other musts.... for us a generator, we use it every time we go out, microwave, charge the batteries while you are rocking the stereo, TV DVD for the kids while out, keep my laptop and cell phone charged...

A good mattress to sleep on, we always sleep in the aft berth, so we dont always have to make up the V. Besides as someone said in another thread, making a berth with fill in cushoins.... something we let the kids sleep on, I had a custom mattress made for the aft berth, while it is still foam, its much thicker, and not split in the middle, I split it more towards your feet, just so I can get into the storage area under the berth without having my hips fall into the canyon of the original cushions.

another must is a windlass, I didnt think so when we first bought the boat, but after the first time the admiral had to TRY and pull the anchor in 3-4 waves, while I tried to steer the boat to the anchor, at the same time watching a little Rinler Captiva with a windlass, pull anchor and hit the throttle, had me sold, ordered on the next week and put it on

Thats about all I can think of, sorry fo rthe long windedness.... better than arguing with the kids tonite...

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Jeff

'14 Cruisers 380 Express "Simon Sez"
Merc 8.2 Mag MPI 380
DTS B3X, (x2) Axius Premier


(SOLD)
'08 V318
Merc 350 Mag MPI 300
DTS Seacore, B3 (x2)

You are absolutly right, a windlass and a genset would be great, but would not be the end of the world if a boat didn't have them at the time of purchase. I could have the windlass installed after the fact. As far as the genset goes, an after market portable would work, although not a nice neat application as a built in would be.

Does your arch fold for travel/storage, and if so, how easy is it to do?

jsimon, correct me if I misunderstood, but your arch on your 03 268 is alum.? I just assumed from all the pics I have viewed that they were made of fibreglass.

The last important factor is where the perspective boat is located. Transportation costs could add up fast, not to mention the exchange on the dollar and the taxes to be paid at the border.

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2010 278 Vista
5.7 GXi DP

Past:
1999 225 Sundowner
5.7 GSi SX

The arch on the 268 does not fold, it is bolted and caulked to the hull, and yes it is aluminum. I think the whole run of 268's uses and aluminum arch, but I am not positve.

OK a quick check in the FW online parts manual shows the same p/n for the arch form '00-05', so they are all aluminum. Also learned that in '99 there isnt an arch shown as an option, from '00-'03 it was an option and from '04 and '05 it was standard.

Hope that helps

_________________
Jeff

'14 Cruisers 380 Express "Simon Sez"
Merc 8.2 Mag MPI 380
DTS B3X, (x2) Axius Premier


(SOLD)
'08 V318
Merc 350 Mag MPI 300
DTS Seacore, B3 (x2)