www.iFourWinns.com

I have a white 2004 Vista 268. My first year boating, I got in some trouble and put a deep gash in the side. It's time to fix it! Two questions: (1) Where can I learn the proper steps to this project? and (2) How can I match the color?

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Paul Dauwer
Bunch of Time
Hingham, MA

2004 Vista 268 - VP 5.7iE

http://www.spectrumcolor.com/ For the Gel Coat suplies and correct color.

http://www.ehow.com/way_5831115_gel-coa ... guide.html One of 3,421 articles on the web describing how to apply the Gel Coat.

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

Current Boat: 2004 Chaparral 235 ssi cuddy

Thanks Cap'n Morgan. 10 minutes after registering on iFourWinns and I got an answer!!

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Paul Dauwer
Bunch of Time
Hingham, MA

2004 Vista 268 - VP 5.7iE

Sorry for the delay.

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

Current Boat: 2004 Chaparral 235 ssi cuddy

Thanks Cap'n

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-Tony
2016 Robalo R200 w/Yahama 200!

Previous boats:
2003 Four Winns 248 Vista - sold
1994 Sunbird Corsair 200 - sold
1980 Checkmate Predictor - sold

Stupid question, I have dealt with Spectrum before. They would not tell me what color I needed, I did give them make, model & year. I was only looking for white, but the said (if my memory is correct) "we have over 10 shades of white". They wanted me to call the maker with the hull# and make sure. They said that at times, builder will changes shades in midyear.

I guesse what I am asking is, before calling we should do the same.

I dabbled with fiberglass/gel coat repair kits to fix a rather nice size chunk I took out of my swim platform last season, my
experience/skill was less than stellar. The hole is filled/sanded and waxed over, however I'm no artist. I found
it to be a real PITA to work with. It's done and looks ok, but IMO unless your somekind of an artist and expect
perfection you may want to leave it to the professionals.

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2011 Bennington 2075 GLi
2012 Key West 211 DC
2005 Four winns 180 Horizon LE
1997 Horizon QXsold
2000 248 Vistasold
2002 Key West 2020WA sold

As with anything you will get better with practice. I've had pretty good luck with gelcoat repairs.

Spectrum used to have their catalog online. From what I recall, Four Winns only seemed to use one shade of white. Sea Ray on the other hand used a ton of shades.

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

White is the hardest color to get spot-on. Sun-exposure/elements do change the tone a good bit.

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Jimbo
Na. Ga.

2000 170 Horizon LS
4.3GL

Exactly opposite. White is by far the easiest color to match. Lighten or darken the shade to match. Dark hull colors fade much quicker and are far more difficult to match. I have a good friend that does gel coat for a living, and I will take his word for it, since he is a pro.

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

Current Boat: 2004 Chaparral 235 ssi cuddy

+1

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1992 Baja 38 Special Twin 502 Mags

03 Stingray 3.0
88 261 Liberator 460 King Cobras
95 Bayliner 1850 3.0
77 Fiber Form 20ft 350/385hp
70 Wescraft 1800 SS 455 Jet

Lead, Follow, or get the Hell out of the Way!

Here's another option for Gelcote, and a "how to"

http://minicraft.com/

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Bridgewater, PA
2008 Vista 318