www.iFourWinns.com

Let me preface this with the following: I realize this is not a ski boat and this issues has been hashed out before. I recently purchased a 2003/268 in the fall and have an idea for your feedback. Has anyone considered mounting a ski tow ball on the arch? I know it is an aluminum arch but unsure how much pressure the mounting points can withstand. This would have to be used with the bimini folded back, but can you imagine the lift...

Also, has anyone replaced the swim ladder with an after market? Which one did you use?

We did have the arch added to our 258 and we used it for wakeboarding. You are right that its really not a ski boat but it made a great wake and our kids loved it. Our arch was built with the boat and from what I was told, they reinforced the body at the factory to help with the stress.

If you have the solid arch, I would be concerned how structurally sound that would be for towing. We needed to fold our bimini under the arch to ensure the tow rope did not catch. I think you would need to rig it going forward rather than back. We used bungee cords to hold the bimini.


The wake was a little rough but at about 22 mph, my son could jump from edge to edge. If I can only convince him to try it with our 338!



Just my 2 cents.

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Jnizi

2007 Vista 338 "Better Yet"
Previously:
2007 Vista 258 " Just Right"
2005 Horizon 230

Why dont you use your cleats? I know this has been discussed in other threads and some people frown upon it but I do it all of the time and use a bridle to split the force between both cleats. Given the fact that someone in a thread above (or below when this post goes up) tows a 900lb runabout with his cleats, I dont see the big deal.

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1999 298 Vista [color=#FF0000]Sold!!!
twin Volvo 5.7GXI

Woody: Pour you a beer, Mr. Peterson?
Norm: Alright, but stop me at one...make that one-thirty

IMO, having a high tow point that is forward of the drive makes a world of difference for both the driver and the skier/wakeboarder. My experience with a bridle is that it is too low to the water and you don't get lift when tubing. I'm sure that the cleats are well secured and can withstand tremendous stress but having a fixed center point instead of a side or moving point makes things better for towing.

Once again, we are talking about a cruiser being used as a tow vehicle.

_________________
Jnizi

2007 Vista 338 "Better Yet"
Previously:
2007 Vista 258 " Just Right"
2005 Horizon 230