www.iFourWinns.com

Before we took delivery on our boat, we noted the gelcoat above the bumper rail was discolored in some areas, a lighter blue. After speaking with the dealer and Four Winns directly, we were told this was caused by moisture getting under the shrinkwrap when it was wrapped from the factory for shipping.

We were also told, by both, that it would work itself out after sitting in the sun and being outside for some time. We're currently experiencing temps in the upper 90's and it's been sunny everyday since we brought it home. It will be one week on July 20th. I see no discernable difference in the contrast or color change.

My question is, has anyone seen this before? The dealer owner says he's seen it many times and it's always gone away. I'm assured it will be fixed if it doesn't come out on its own, but who wants to go through that on a new boat?

Please, someone, tell me they've seen this? And, tell me how long it took to go away.

Here are some pics. I included the originals and a set I overexposed so you can see what I'm talking about.

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SOLD! 2006 30th Anniversary Vista 278
"Conch'd Out!"

http://vista278.com

How long have you had yours?

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SOLD! 2006 30th Anniversary Vista 278
"Conch'd Out!"

http://vista278.com

I have noticed this in mine above the rub rail but to a much lesser extent, a couple of 3/8 strips about 4'' long, in random spots around the boat, but you realy have to look hard. i have the black band.
Regards Scott

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2005 Four Winns Sundowner (Sold)
350 MAG B1

After several weeks of no improvement, it's apparent the entire blue stripe around the boat above the rub rail has to be redone.

We're waiting for our 20 hour service.

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SOLD! 2006 30th Anniversary Vista 278
"Conch'd Out!"

http://vista278.com

Thanks for the update. Interesting, my dealer says he's seen many times and it's always gone away.

No change in my gelcoat... still.

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SOLD! 2006 30th Anniversary Vista 278
"Conch'd Out!"

http://vista278.com

Hey,

I have the same problem. Blue funship. What have you been told. Give us an update.

Jeff

My gelcoat is now perfect.

I took it to the dealer and their gelcoat specialist sanded down the bad gelcoat and resprayed the entire stripe. He also had to replace the decal stripes around the blue/white transition. It's a very time intensive ordeal, the entire bumper rail has to be removed and the boat taped off.

Four Winns paid him for all that under warranty, and at $100/hr I'm glad they did.

While I'm disappointed I had to do that at all, it is now better than new.

And, for the record... I called FW myself when I took delivery and was told it would go away. The dealer told me the same thing, and that they've seen it many times. After sitting in the hot July and August sun for six weeks there was no change. I finally asked the dealer to fix it, and they obliged no questions asked.

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SOLD! 2006 30th Anniversary Vista 278
"Conch'd Out!"

http://vista278.com

It'll go away.... I've never seen it go away. That looks like heat gun damage from when they shrunk wrapped the boat.

I talked to my salesman while at the boat show this past weekend. He said they had another like mine and they now unwrap them immediately.

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SOLD! 2006 30th Anniversary Vista 278
"Conch'd Out!"

http://vista278.com

I had this same problem on my 2006 H240. I purchased a new 06 in May of 07. When the shrink wrap was removed the "ghosting" was above the rub rail. Four Winns authorized the dealership to repair. We waited an additional 2 weeks (seemed like forever) before they informed us the repair was complete. We went to pick up our new boat and it was obvious they had just used an abrasive polish to remove the stains. In one place they went thru the gel coat and other spots (like around the wake board tower mounts) there were deep scratches. I was irrate! After some discussion they convinced me to take the boat and use it for the summer, stating there was no way to predict how long the boat would be in the shop for new gel coat. They promised to reapply the gel coat over the winter. Four Winns and my dealer kept their word and made the repair. They even fixed a spot or two that I was responsible for at the dock. The boat looks new for 2008.

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Jeff
2006 H240 6.2 MX 320HP B3
La Habra, California

I have the same problem on my boat! I was wondering what that was.

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Dodge 1500 5.7L Hemi
Four Winns F224 5.7L DP

Hmmm.. mine had this to a small extent on the black area on my hull. While not perfect, a lot of it has disappeared over the last 2 years! Like you, I was also told it would disappear, but they were prepared to repaint it if I insisted. Mine is not particularly visible anyway, so I just took it as it was.

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Alec

2006 Horizon 190
VP 4.3GL/SX, Sunsport