www.iFourWinns.com

Recently picked up a used 248, the boat came with the camper canvas and they were never used so I thought I would put them on (the bimini was up when I picked it up and it all looks fine. It all went together great except the windshield extention seems loose/saggy. Everything else looks fine but when I move the front straps to the inside they are loose so it seems like something needs to be pulled back so the front bow moves towards the back and tightens the windshield.

There are no instructions in the manual I can see, it just shows the radar arch/bimini. Only thing I can see is I have an extra strip of canvas with a double zipper on one side and single on on the other the width of the top and a couple inches long. Looks like some kind of filler piece but I cant see where it would go.

Any help would be appreciated, I have pics of this boat when the previous owner picked it up and the plastic above the wndshield looks tight so I must be doing something wrong.

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2006 Vista 248 5.7DP - SOLD
2011 Crownline E6 - SOLD
2007 Sea Ray 260 Sundancer

1st, welcome to the site!


"Only thing I can see is I have an extra strip of canvas with a double zipper on one side and single on on the other the width of the top and a couple inches long."

This sounds like the piece that covers the bimini when all folded up, storage/travel cover. Does it have Four Winns embroidered on it!


As for getting everything set up and tighted up, you assemble like you obviously have already done, then adjust straps to the bimini to match the camper enclosure, if that makes sense.

Photos of your issue would help as well.

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

Thanks for the reply.

I'll take some pics when I put it all back together, I just took it all off to bring it home and pull the drive (ddint get ant service records so better safe than sorry).

I have the bimini boot that has the four winns on it, this is way smaller than that. I'll take a pic of it tomorrow.

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2006 Vista 248 5.7DP - SOLD
2011 Crownline E6 - SOLD
2007 Sea Ray 260 Sundancer

I recall the piece you are talking about but can't think where it is. I'm going down to the lake Saturday and will take a look and see I can find it.

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2001 328 Vista "Nauta Dream 2"
AB Inflatable 10AL "Little Dreamer"
2000 248 Vista
1997 225 Sundowner


Mike

That strip zips on the middle of the bimini. There should be an extra zipper behind the main support. That is the piece that you use to half fold the rear of the bimini. This will leave the rear seats in the sun, but the forward section under the bimini. It's not used when you use the canvas.

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2003 248 Vista on Lake Champlain

Thats it. noticed the extra zipper on the rear part.

I'll take some pics of the camper canvas tomorrow and you guys can see if it looks normal or not.

Thanks again,
Kevin

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2006 Vista 248 5.7DP - SOLD
2011 Crownline E6 - SOLD
2007 Sea Ray 260 Sundancer

If the front eisenglass appears loose, thats normal unfortunatly. These are made out of a template...and not to fit each boat exactly. The only cure is to get it redone custom locally.

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

Yea, here is a pic of what it looks like, I cant pull the top back any more so thats the best it gets. I was hoping that little filler piece had something to do with it but like sb55 thats just to move the rear of the bimini. The sides and back fit perfect but the front is pretty loose. If its normal I wont worry about it, it was pouring here the last couple days and the only water that came in was from the condensation on the inside of the window so it does the job.

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2006 Vista 248 5.7DP - SOLD
2011 Crownline E6 - SOLD
2007 Sea Ray 260 Sundancer

Looks just like ours. Crystal clear, but a PITA to look through because its not pulled tight. We are living with it until it needs replacement.

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

you might try takin it to your local canvas shop and see if they can rework it alittle to get a better fit.

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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)

That's kind of a poor design. Aerodynamic but not overly functional. The front bimini rail should be directly over the windshield. This would help the water run off and solve the slack problem. Can the hole bimini be adjusted forward and then have a shop modify the windshield to suit.... Never mind that would screw up the back. Just take it to a canvas shop and see what they recommend.

BTW, our Chap has similar issues that will need work this Fall /Winter. Not as bad, it pulls tighter but, there are zippers where the wide bands are and they don't completely close (quarter size hole) so water leaks through.

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Marc, Kathlin & Nathalie


'89 Chaparral Laser 32

'93 Vista 245, 5.8L w/ King Cobra

Former Boats
'01 H260, 7.4 VP Duoprop
'98 H200, 5.0 GL w/VP SX drive

I asked the local canvas guy at the marina and he said that not only would the three windows need to be replaced in the front but the side curtains would need to be shortened some as well. In his opinion it isnt worth it since the windows are in great shape. He menioned he could shorten the bimini a bit so it pulls back the most forward pole, he thinks it should be a little higher since I cant stand up with the bimini and that would tighten it up some.

I'll worry about it in another month or so when the season is over.

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2006 Vista 248 5.7DP - SOLD
2011 Crownline E6 - SOLD
2007 Sea Ray 260 Sundancer

Your looks just like ours, its never been a problem! Been through many nasty storms.

If it doesnt leak, why would you spend any money reworking it??? If you have money to burn, throw some my way...
Just how often are you going to have the camper canvas up?

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

I can boat year round here if I want to to, so I would say it would be up for 4 months or so when its 50-60 degrees out if I leave it in the slip. I would just like it pulled tighter so I can see out of them a little better. The sides and rear are fine but the front is so saggy it just stays wrinkled up. My last boat was tight as a drum and you could actually see out of the front with the camper canvas up. The canvas guy said he will try to tighten it up with three new clear panels for 200.00, thats cheaper than a full tank of gas at the marinia.

If I had the money to throw away I wouldnt be asking about it, I would just buy another boat

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2006 Vista 248 5.7DP - SOLD
2011 Crownline E6 - SOLD
2007 Sea Ray 260 Sundancer

Ours is the same way..... but maybe not quite as bad. It seems to be pulled a bit higher. The wavyness makes it dificult to see at night, picking out markers or even boats, even though it is perfectly clear.

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Gordon Arnold
New Hampshire

2003 268 Vista ..................................................................Prior: 97 245 Sundowner