www.iFourWinns.com

out four our first trip of the year and the hindge on the top hatch broke!! And it's going to rain. 2000 268 vista, anyone know where to get a replacement fast? after market would be great (less expensive)



posted with a mobile device...spelling, capiatalization, and grammer sure to suck.

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2000 268 Vista "Reely Nauti"
http://www.facebook.com/#!/rivercruiser

Call Pompanette I had a portlight on my portside fail in a heavy sea. The port light failed at the tack welds inside the inner frame because the hatch wasn't sealed as well as it should have been from the factory (IMO). It was past the warranty from FW and the manufacturer (41/2 year after purchase). They were very helpful and sold me a replacement at a great price. The portlight was just over $200 which I believe were it was over $300 everywhere else.

They may even be able to supply you with just the piece that broke. That wasn't an option for me as the outside trim ring was somewhere at the bottom of Tampa bay.

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Jvalich
http://www.badcock.com

'04 FW 288 Vista "Mental Floss"

You must have left the top hatch open like me and blew the hinge when you hit the throttle. Since you have a 2000 model, you should have a Lewmar hatch. Below is the link to Lewmar's online store. And no, you can't buy the 2 small pieces that probably cost .50 cents to fix your hinge. You have to screw away a couple of hundred bucks (maybe more now).

http://en.lewmar.com/onlinestore/index.aspx?page_id=1

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

Actually I was just sitting in the cabin and went to close the hatch and it broke. Nothing in stock around Portland so it looks like a duct tape job until I get one ordered. Nothing like a nice boat with duct tape holding it together

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2000 268 Vista "Reely Nauti"
http://www.facebook.com/#!/rivercruiser

Are you telling me that I made a fool out of myself for no good reason? Well anyway, for all those out there reading this thread, be sure to secure your hatches before you take off. Yours truly didn't and not only did I break the hinge but the hatch cover flew back and almost hit me in the head and then proceeded to put a slit in one of my vinyl seats.

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

I broke our hinge on our old boat, and couldn't find replacement parts, they want you to buy the entire hatch.
If your hatch hinge is like my old '95 sundowner, the hinge was made of plastic or nylon, after some sun and heat they get brittle. I made some aluminum ones and had them anodized for corrosion resistance.

I know I made extras, but can not find them. If you want I can make more, if this is all you need vs buying an entire hatch for $200. I just need the dimensions off the old pin, or send me the pin. My boat is in storage 2 hours away or I would pull one of them.

Let me know if your interested. Would be glad to make some, and extras for our current boat!!

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2000 248 5.7L DP
'92, '94 SXI 750, '08 STX 15F, '12 Ultra LX 300
Videos

If you have the round Lewmar Concept Series hatch like me, you're out of luck. I have a 2002 298 Vista that uses this hatch. They are no longer made and there are no replacement parts. The Concept hatch was made specifically for a few boat builders (FourWinns included) per a custom specification including color. I have been researching and calling any and all resources for two years with no luck.

Both Lewmar and FourWinns was of little help. Lewmar and FourWinns had been fighting internally about the fault of design and legal action followed according to several folks that either supplied the hatch (retailers or repair shops). FourWinns now uses Bowmar. All new hatched from both Lewmar and Bowmar are slightly different in size and there is no direct replacement. You will need to move up one size and modify your deck larger which can get you into issues with the internal structure of the cabin ceiling backing supports.

I have contacted salvage yards, several Lewmar repair houses across the country and around the world, no luck. Many have had customer like you and me with the same problem and no answer. If you find something, please let me know.

Sorry for the bad news...

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2002 Vista 298 VP 5.0Gxi

Thanks for the offer to help. after looking at the other post it looks like I might me sol on a new one. The hinge broke out where the screws attach it to the top ring. When I get home I'll take some pictures and see if this is the same issue. It looks like making a new hinge would be pretty straight forward, the only issue I see is bonding it to the lid.

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2000 268 Vista "Reely Nauti"
http://www.facebook.com/#!/rivercruiser

I would never tell some one that. I was for a good reason, it made me feel much better about breaking mine

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2000 268 Vista "Reely Nauti"
http://www.facebook.com/#!/rivercruiser