www.iFourWinns.com

Hi All;

recently bought a very good 2005 Vista 268. Lovely boat, only downside is the engine access hatch arrangement which seems a real pain and not particularly easy to lift up. (removal of the aft seat is necessary in any case)

Anyone fitted a gas strut or something similar to the actual hatch to avoid the fun and games as built?

Cheers

I can't imagine that this did not come with a gas strut from the factory, look for mounting holes on the hatch or side framework. On my old '88 the OE gas struts were long gone by the time I got it and I refitted them after I got tired of hefting up that heavy sunpad. I think they were 60 lb lift units. They do not last forever, figure on replacing them after about 5 seasons or so....

_________________
88 Four Winns 200 Horizon
4.3 OMC Cobra-4bbl
2002 Walker Bay 10/2012 Suzuki 2.5
2008 Walker Bay 8

1998 Jeep Grand Cherokee 4.0/Selectrac
2007 Jeep Grand Cherokee 5.7 Hemi/Quadradrive II

Thanks - will have another look to see if it has had any fitted before. Certainly would be a bonus

The engine hatch is the one downfall to the 268.

There is no gas strut available, nor do I know how you'd be able to modify it.

If you lift up the port leg on the aft seat, you can lift up and remove the forward(big) panel. I normally just tilt it up and place a piece of 2x4 I cut to hold it open so I can do fluid checks, etc.

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

My 298 is the same....the forward hatch lifts out....but you don't have to remove the seats at least. The rear hatch has a few screws to get it out. In either case, I can't see a logical way to mount any sort of lift assistance.

_________________
Current Boat:
2004 Sea Ray 320 Sundancer "Nauti Luvin'"

Previous Boats:
1999 298 Vista "Seas The Day"
2008 H200SS "Nauti Luv"
2006 Tahoe Q4

Thanks for the feedback. Will have a look to see if some kind of lifting hinges could be fitted as the hatch will foul if just hinged as is. It is a project for the next few months for sure.....

Below the link to the pictures of our modifications.

viewtopic.php?f=6&t=4710&p=47582#p47582

We ordered a custom shock from http://www.easylift.com to replace the electric opener. They walked us through the process of picking the right shock and all works great.

_________________
2006 Four Winns 278 Vista.
Volvo Penta 8.1L, Duo Prop,
Kohler 5E Generator.

+1, its even worse on a 248. If you flip the one leg up you can lift the port side and slide it back to check oil and turn the seacocks on and off (with a boat hook) and have a look at everything. You can also just flip it up and lift it up if you slide it aft a little first. No doubt a PITA, not the best design. What makes it even worse is the low spot where the two covers butt up lets water drain right into the bilge instead of the drains, not to mention you have to be careful not to fall in with the cover off

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