www.iFourWinns.com

So it seems that my new boat will have some switches that will do nothing - I assume this is normal? So far I have found:
'flush'
'eject waste overboard' (didn't say this, but same effect)
And at the helm, 'fuel transfer'.
This last one, I wonder, does the 328 have a fuel transfer pump? Is this to move fuel from one tank to the other?

Steve.

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1969 Chris Craft Commander 47
1999 Four Winns 328 Vista - SOLD

Only "useless" if you don't have those options on your boat. Many are pre wired from the factory for easier installation at a later time.

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

Current Boat: 2004 Chaparral 235 ssi cuddy

NOT to go against the above post!!

On my last boat, I had the same problem, but some options were installed but not completed. I called the factory thinking that the dealer removed some options. I gave them the hull#, they looked it up and sad "What you have is what we built the boat with." They also said that it is cheaper to build the boat prewied with some options partially installed and than add in the options as the dealers ordered as it goes down the assembly line.

That's what I figured, I wonder how many times a new person on board will come out of the head and say "it wont flush, I pressed the flush button but nothing happened".

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1969 Chris Craft Commander 47
1999 Four Winns 328 Vista - SOLD

New "guests" to the boat should always be schooled when they arrive as to how things work on the boat, what to do, and what NOT to do. It's the captains' responsibility to make sure this is done. If you don't, who knows what some fine young lady will try and flush down the toilet.

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

Current Boat: 2004 Chaparral 235 ssi cuddy

Regarding the "flush switch", I can possibly see someone thinking this switch may not do much if you have a vacuflush toilet.

If you do have a vacuflush toilet (our 328 does) than we normally have the "flush" switch in its depressed "on" state and the head is emptied when you step on the floor pedal. You then hear the vacu pump, pump back up the vacuum for about 8 seconds or so and then the pump shuts off. After the pump shuts off and somebody turned the "Flush" switch off and then back on I'm thinking the "flush" switch actually might not do anything as the vacuum charge is still probably holding.

Just a thought anyways..........

Mike.

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Current Boat
- 2001 Four Winns 328 Vista "Hour Decision"
- 2010 310 Mercury Inflatable

Previous Boats
- 30' Doral Prestancia
- 25' Doral Citation

Very valid point and has always been my intent. But a gut reaction (seeing a button that says flush) might override memory of instructions. Anyway, I wish the extra switches were not there, easier and less cluttered all around.

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1969 Chris Craft Commander 47
1999 Four Winns 328 Vista - SOLD

I see, so the switch controls the vacuum pump? If so then I am beginning to understand. I didn' know that.

Thanks Mike.

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1969 Chris Craft Commander 47
1999 Four Winns 328 Vista - SOLD

Speaking from experience, I recommend only unlocking the door to the head when trusted associates are aboard. Educating them does not always work ... especially if they are children / teenagers, who quickly forget. Mine stays locked when I have anyone out but my wife and daughter. They understand the "fun" involved in ripping apart the plumbing to fetch a cooter cork (among other things) ... because I made them watch and help as I performed the task.

My biggest lesson in boat ownership over the years is that nobody, and I mean nobody, treats your boat as good as you. In fact, it's almost shocking to watch. I'm fortunate to have many friends. However. only a handful are invited to come out to the boat anymore.

The extra switches will be the least of your concerns ...


Craig C.

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2003 Vista 248, VP 5.0 GXi-C, DP

The "flush" switch turns on the vacuflush and charges it. If you just flipped the switch on, you may think nothing is happening. But you have to have that switch on before you depress the foot pedal on the toilet.

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2001 328 Vista

Previous Boats:
2004 Sea Ray 220 Select

There is a switch for the overboard macerator option. But I believe it's controlled at the breaker panel (labeled 'overboard discharge'). I re-purposed that breaker to power my wifi gear since I don't have the macerator option.

There was at least one ACC switch at the helm that went unused. I put in some underwater lights and ran them through it. I've never seen a fuel transfer setup in a Vista. Might have been added by a previous owner. The switches are standard (made by Carlton) and can be ordered with all sorts of label options.

In our 348 the vacuflush switch on the backsplash above the sink charges the vacuum pressure. Which is released when you press down the pedal. The pump will automatically repressurize the system if you leave that switch on. The main power for it is controlled at the breaker panel. Since ours has a leaky seal I tend to keep it powered off at the panel most of the time and only power it up when someone needs to use it.

I give guests a run-down on how to use the toilet, and also suggest they use shore facilities one last time before we get underway. Since we have a small kid I also keep a supply of doggie waste pickup bags attached with a zip-tie to the toilet paper dispenser. This I point out to the ladies on board in the event they need to dispose of anything. Everyone gets the point.

Like these: http://www.buybuybaby.com/product.asp?SKU=14991573

But you can get similar sort of stuff at a pet store.

There are other toilet system options and some do have a flush switch instead of the pedal. But I don't know that FW ever used other options (besides manual pump ones, of course).

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-Bill Kearney, 2005 348 Vista

"I'm fortunate to have many friends. However. only a handful are invited to come out to the boat anymore." from Craig.

So true!!!! One of my wife's friends said as she came onbaord. "I don't want to get wet. I said "it's a boat!!" Needless to say, my wife was not happy with me and her friend never came back. But yes, I pick who I want on board too.

Now that is a great idea!

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1969 Chris Craft Commander 47
1999 Four Winns 328 Vista - SOLD

Bill, you think of everything! Gotta report this back to the Admiral, better system than we are presently using!

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2006 348 Vista
"Cruisin Home"
Hampton NH

Eh, live long enough and make enough mistakes and you learn what works. I'm all about preventing more work for myself. So taking a few extra steps on the front side often saves me from a ton of work later on. It's all about minimizing how much work I have to do on the boat, either when running or after the fact.

But even with all the preparedness I still have problems with people bring red colored stuff on board. Cripes, what a pain in my ass. Yet another carpet stain from red Pedialyte drink. Grrrr... What worked for getting it out was some Dawn dish soap in hot water and a hot iron. It helped 'wick' the stain out of the carpet up onto a white terry cloth towel. Lost a bit of the carpet color in the process, but that's 'less worse' than the pink blotch.

So even while I try to think of a lot ahead of time I still get stuck sometimes.

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-Bill Kearney, 2005 348 Vista