www.iFourWinns.com

Does anyone have experience with collapsible bicycles? What did you pay? Do they ride good? How well do they stow? Do you use them or are they too cumbersome? Thanks in advance, Dan

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Current Boat: 1994 278 Four Winns Vista

I don't know if this helps. Every Lobor Day we go to P-town. One of the other boater stopped bringing there bikes there. He said "For the 2 or 3 times a year that we use them, its not worth buying, storing them on board and carring them to and from the house to the boat. If we want them, we just rent them, its cheaper and easyer in the long run. If you get a flat, call them on the cell phone & the come out with another bike." How true all this is, I don't know. I never rented a bike before.

Thanks Paul. We intend to use them on our land based trips too. We have rented bikes, but like the flexibility of stowable bikes we own. Dan

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Current Boat: 1994 278 Four Winns Vista

Before our son was born, my wife and I would occasionaly take our full size mountain bikes with us when we had a 25' Doral Citation and on our 30' Doral Prestancia. We just carefully carried these bikes on the boat, used dock fenders, pool noodles etc., to protect the bikes and boat. The bikes would ride above the engine hatche(s) and would lean against the transom. This worked ok, but certainly takes up space in boat and takes a bit of time loading and unloading bikes to prevent scratching.

We have not taken mountain bikes on our 328 yet, but did buy a folding bike used and I have to say I like it. I used one of our Mercury Inflatable boat bags as a folding bike bag and this made for an easy way to carry the folding bike on off our 328 and helped protect both the boat and bike surfaces.

One marina over in Michigan we like to go (Metro Beach) is a large marina with a paved walking/bike path throughout this marina. There is a West Marine, party store and grocery stores all within comfortable biking distances but is a bit of a haul walking.

Actually I would like to purchase another folding bike so that a combination of my wife, son or I could bike together.

West Marine a lot of times has $100.00 off their folding bikes, but I bet you would have lots of other choices.

The folding bike adds another great way to explore the areas that you may dock in. We use our inflatable way more than bikes but other couples in our marina are reverse.

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

Here you go Dan,
These were at the Miami Boat Show last weekend. pricey but VERY nice.



Prodeco- G+ Mariner S

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

Current Boat: 2004 Chaparral 235 ssi cuddy

I would love to have something like that, but that is too expensive for me. My wife and I both have good bikes already but dont know how we would haul them on the boat. Does anyone have any good ideas for bike holders for my boat? That is, other than bungees and ratchet straps. I have heard of people mounting something to their bow rail, but not sure if my bow rail would be large enough.

Thanks in advance!

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2006 Vista 278
First Boat:
2005 Sundowner 205
Columbus, OH

Not sure this would fit on a 205, but might be worth a look. It ain't cheap.
http://fendergrip.com/cg.html

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

Current Boat: 2004 Chaparral 235 ssi cuddy

You could always pick up a cheap SUV bike rack and bend it to fit like we did, although you're transom angle looks low. I think I paid like 70.00 for this one and it works great!

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Our Boating Blog: http://ben-dana.blogspot.com/

2005 268 Vista "Sea Pickle II"
1979 AMF Alcort Puffer
Previous:
2003 FW190 Horizon
1973 Startcraft 18ft "Sea Pickle"

I think you may be able to get some Sea Suckers to work well with a 205.

http://www.seasucker.tv/

I can picture the fork mount on the fiberglass transom area between the rear seat and the swim platform and the rear wheel of the bikes on the swim platform. You may also be able to put the whole thing up on the the front deck.

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Current Operational Boats:
'04-Four Winns 180 Freedom 150 HP Evinrude
'72-Chris Craft Commander 31 Sedan Twin-350Qs

Thanks for the good suggestions! I think I will take a look at some SUV mounts as Bliss 36 mentioned. It will be tricky to get something that will be tall and long enough to mount off of the transom rail that is back there. I can picture what I think will work, but dont want it to look like a total hillbilly (no offense to hillbillies everywhere, I tend to fit the bill usually ).

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2006 Vista 278
First Boat:
2005 Sundowner 205
Columbus, OH