www.iFourWinns.com

I’m not sure is anybody out there can help with this, considering that Four Winns nor my dealer had an answer for me. Four Winns now offers a radar arch on the new V258 last year it was not offered on the 2008 V248 or V258. To the naked eye both boats look similar so I asked the question will the 09 Arch off the new V258 fit my 2008 V248. Surprisingly Four Winns had no idea. With everything in this word being designed on a CADD system I can’t believe they could not give me an answer; more likely could not be bothered. In today’s economy I can’t believe in their lack of customer support or in any event giving up on a sale of a pretty expensive accessory.

So if anybody out there that has any ideas on if it will work or another avenue to question on this matter I would greatly appreciate it.

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“Growing Older, But Not Up”
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2008 Four Winns V248
2004 Stingray 220CS

Hey Bob

Does your 248 have the bolt on swim platform? If so, from the pics I am looking at on the FW site, the hulls arent even close, so I dont think you would want to tackle that challenge and not be happy with it when your done.

The '09 258 http://www.fourwinns.com/model/V258/options

the '08 248 http://www.fourwinns.com/2008/model/V248

Notice the different windows in the hull. Seems like they went to the smaller more pointed windows after each hull redesign. Funny, my '99 258 had windows like the newer ones, and our '03 268 has the more oval ones...

I know the 248 says 09 at the top, but when you look in the 09s on the home page, the 248 isnt listed, has it been discontiuned?

I usually not afraid to do something like that, but from what I see, I would leave well enough alone...

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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)

Yes, the bolt on. Last year at the dealer they had the two side by side and there wasn’t much different between them. They add the wet bar to the V258 and to get that to fit by angling back the aft cabins raised helm section and removing the ice chest storage area. The interiors were nearly identical with the exception of the upper shelf around the forward dining area. The biggest difference was the molded swim platform to the bolt type; but the V248 is actually 2” longer on the LOA. Oh and the V258 was 15k higher in base price. So from I can remember in the beam area across the helm they looked identical. At the show this year I noticed how they attached the arch and it looks like a “universal” mount so it can be used on several different boats. FW may have made more significant changes in the 09 that I didn’t notice while comparing the two 08’s. FW did discontinue the 248 and from talking to a few people this was a marketing decision to sell the “large” boat at the higher base price; they may not have foreseen the economy drop as it had or figure it’s just as hard to sell the higher base price so take the larger mark up.

Jeff I do see what you mean they changed the 2009's window design from the 2008 model year.

I have been looking into the Atlantic Tower Arch but for the money it doesn’t have the smooth lines as the factory one. I also am starting o look into a custom one. Personally I prefer AL to lower the weight and not increase the center of gravity like the SS would.

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“Growing Older, But Not Up”
[

2008 Four Winns V248
2004 Stingray 220CS

Just an update to anyone reading this post:
I attended the Boston Boat Show this past weekend and I was able to speak to a few Four Winns dealers that were knowledgeable with the new Arch for the V258. It is intended as a waterskiing arch not one for radar; so even if it would bolt on the V248 it would need to be modified by adding a mounting plate for the radar antenna.

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“Growing Older, But Not Up”
[

2008 Four Winns V248
2004 Stingray 220CS

You could have the guys @ Winnisquam fab up a custom mount or bracket for a radar VERY easily. That's super simple.

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

Atlantic Towers will build you anything you want, stainless, aluminum, hinged, rod holders, Radar Wedge etc.. It will of course be a tubular tower (ick) but we don't have much in the way of choices...

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Brett DiMichele

I am having the same problem.I really want an arch so I can mount a small radar dome. I do not want to spend a lot of money though. I came across this one Bob.
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/BAYLINER ... QQtcZphoto
I am trying to visualize it. I do not think it looks bad on the Bayliner or the Maxum. I wonder what it would look like on the 248

Good price but I see two problems; one it’s off a Bayliner. If the 09 258 won’t fit I do not think that this one would either without a lot of rework to it. Second, like the arch for the 258, it’s a wake board arch and again would need more work to wled on a radar mount. Keep an eye out we’ll find one yet.

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“Growing Older, But Not Up”
[

2008 Four Winns V248
2004 Stingray 220CS

Or you could do what I am going to do, buy a boat with a factory arch

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Brett DiMichele

I thought you did not like Bayliner's ?

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One of 4 Previous (Sold) Boats:
2000 Four Winns 268 Vista

Current Boat: 2004 Chaparral 235 ssi cuddy

Grrrrr!

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Brett DiMichele

Hi Guys,

I have just bought my first boat. 2005 Four winns Vista 268 and i love it. I am wondering if it is possible to add a radar arch onto it? I do realise the previous owner didnt choose the option, but wondered if it can be done after market. Any posts would be greatly appreciated. Thank you in advance.

it could certainly be done. I'm sure you could buy an arch right form four winns. But hang on to your wallet, not only would you have the expense of the arch itself, the entire camper canvas will most likely have to be replaced.

the '05 factory boats with an arch, the canvas attaches to the arch on the front and rear, so depending on how tall your current setup is, if it doesn't fit under the arch then you will have to replace/rework the camper canvas

good luck

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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)

If it helps? I went this route on my V258, it was a lot cheaper too. http://www.atlantictowers.com/images/ARCHES/FishB1.jpg They call it a custom arch. I got a great deal on this one. My last boat I used there "tower in a box". In some ways it's better because you can adjust the size as needed.

I think its more useful too, but that depends on what you want to do with it. I keep my poles on it, I mounted the VHF ant, deck lights, anchor light, radar and hailer on it. It took my wife and I a day to install. I goes over my canvas, so that solved that problem too.