www.iFourWinns.com

Hi all.. The boat I'm about to buy has a Bimini and full camper cover but it appears not to have a cockpit cover . Is this something I really ought to have to protect the boat when moored (it will be kept in a marina not under cover). How do they attach the cover if I was to get one made for me ...I'm in spain , so I guess it would cost a lot of money to get one shipped from USA

Thanks

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Bill P
Marbella, Spain
Vista 248 Year 2000
25th Anniversary edition
Volvo Penta Engine and Outdrive

I'd recommend the cockpit cover to keep the boat protected from the sun and clean. There should be snaps around the windshield and along the sides that are already used for the camper canvas that the cockpit cover can snap onto. It would probably be easier to get one made at a local canvas shop, they would just need to have access to the boat. We ordered a replacement cockpit cover from Four Winns but the dealer still had to custom install the snaps to fit it to the boat.

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Terry
Current: 07 Crownline 255 CCR cuddy - 350 Mag MPI/B3 "Casi Cielo"

Previous:97 245 Sundowner 5.7GI/SX

Tow vehicle: 1986 GMC 2500 Camper Special 454/TH400

Yes that's what I thought ..if it uses the same snaps , thats handy !
will ask some canvas makers in Europe what they can provide

thanks !

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Bill P
Marbella, Spain
Vista 248 Year 2000
25th Anniversary edition
Volvo Penta Engine and Outdrive

Great Lakes Boat Top is the original company that makes the covers and stuff for Four Winns. They have the pattern for your boat.
They are offering 25% off right now.
Not sure on shipping to Spain but worth checking out.
http://greatlakesboattop.com/

You will have to install snaps around the back. And it snaps at the bottom of the windshield.
You will also have to install the snaps on the canvas as they can't preinstall since the exact location of your boat side snaps are not known. If you go this route, order the snap installation tool from them as well. It is heavy duty and works good.

Good luck.

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The Dance II
2007 278 Vista
6.2L Mercruiser

Thanks for the link...shipping may well be prohibitive, but will check that out !

many thanks

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Bill P
Marbella, Spain
Vista 248 Year 2000
25th Anniversary edition
Volvo Penta Engine and Outdrive

I have talked with Great Lakes Boat Top, and they told me that they do not have patterns for Four Winns Vista boats without radar arches. Sorry. Four Winns is the current source for that OEM canvas.

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Surface Interval: A scuba diving term for that time between dives to relax and prepare for life's next great adventure.

Current boat: '02 FW 268 Vista
Previous boat: '95 FW 190 Horizon

A lot of boaters around here only have camper tops, especially the larger boats.

If this was the case for my boat I would consider using towels to keep the sun from the helm, and seat backs.

When you go see the boat that should tell you the full story. How has it held up to the elements thus far with just the camper top.

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2004 - 288 Vista
Twin - 5.0 Volvo Penta GXi DP

Very kind of you to ask Great lakes for me... ! back to the drawing board..
there are some uk companies that may be able to knock one up for me !
Its not just to keep the sun off I was thinking of, its more when I leave the boat in the marina, that the inside is protected from everything (including overhead seagulls LOL ) so a complete cover would be ideal

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Bill P
Marbella, Spain
Vista 248 Year 2000
25th Anniversary edition
Volvo Penta Engine and Outdrive

Yes, keeping the both the sun and rain off the upholstery is important for a long upholstery life.

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"Knot Easy" 2000 Horizon 240 Volvo 5.7GS /SX
tow: 2017 Honda PILOT EXL-AWD
prev. boats:
'87 Chaparral 198CXL 4.3 OMC Cobra
'69 Jetstar 16ft Ski Boat, 115hp Yamaha
'68 Aluminum Jon Boat, 3hp Sears
'64 Water Wings

Bill, you might check with Four Winns or a dealer for the price and shipping options if you can't find a local shop. The mooring cover does attach to the snaps at the base of the windshield, but behind the windshield it uses the same snaps as the camper top. The mooring cover has velcro strips that close around the Bimini frame where it attaches to the boat. The cover is supported by a telescoping support pole from the floor between the forward edge of the cockpit table and the forward part of the U shaped cockpit seat. Sunbrella does work well at keeping rain water out, just make sure that the cover seals up well around the bimini support poles. We trailer our boat every weekend in the summer with the mooring cover in place. It works well and prevents anything from blowing out on the road. Hope this helps.

_________________
Surface Interval: A scuba diving term for that time between dives to relax and prepare for life's next great adventure.

Current boat: '02 FW 268 Vista
Previous boat: '95 FW 190 Horizon

Thanks ..as always , great info !

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Bill P
Marbella, Spain
Vista 248 Year 2000
25th Anniversary edition
Volvo Penta Engine and Outdrive

Mine are a part of the windshield frame. The frame has a channel in it and the snaps are held in there by a phillips screw that tightens against the frame. Mine work loose from time to time due to expansion and contraction and occasionally will need repositioned by loosening the screw and sliding the male snap into the correct position.

Sorry I don't believe I have a photo but can get one when I'm at the lake over the weekend if no one comes up with one in the meantime. I do have a picture of the boat with that cover on if you'd like to see that.

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2008 Vista 278 Volvo Penta 8.1 Gi 375 hp
1999 Horizon 220 5.7 GSi

My '02 268 is that way too. The snaps are in the base of the windshield frame. The screw goes into a plastic piece and expands it locking the snap in place

_________________
Surface Interval: A scuba diving term for that time between dives to relax and prepare for life's next great adventure.

Current boat: '02 FW 268 Vista
Previous boat: '95 FW 190 Horizon

My mooring cover does cover the windshield. The canvas does snap on to snaps that are attached to the lower windshield frame. These are the parts.

https://www.wholesalemarine.com/windshi ... jwEALw_wcB

The black plastic piece folds in half. Place it in the channel in the windshield frame and screw the snap into it. It will not scratch or marr the frame.

_________________
Surface Interval: A scuba diving term for that time between dives to relax and prepare for life's next great adventure.

Current boat: '02 FW 268 Vista
Previous boat: '95 FW 190 Horizon

Would something like this work?

https://greatlakesskipper.com/dot-boat- ... 8AQAvD_BwE

If you drill and screw into the windshield frame be very careful that it will not touch the glass inside the frame. The clips would allow for adjustment without damaging the frame.

_________________
Surface Interval: A scuba diving term for that time between dives to relax and prepare for life's next great adventure.

Current boat: '02 FW 268 Vista
Previous boat: '95 FW 190 Horizon