www.iFourWinns.com

Hello All

I am an Australian owner of 2004 Vista 328.

I have experienced significant hull decay from the engine room bulk head back down the centre line stringer and eventually into the transom.

A leak in the starboard side sterndrive "area" was the first symptom of this "cancer".

Has anyone else suffered similar problems ???

The damage seems to have begun at the join between the floor, starboard stringer and the engine room bulk head. With freshwater ingression from water below the automatic float bilge system trigger point. This is apparent due to the lay up of glass malting to the sub state which in no way made the proof seal, allowing the internal structure of the vessel to absorb water.

Four Winns don't seem to have any interest in my vessel's problem so I was interested if anyone else has had similar problems.

For those that haven't , (noticed problems), can I suggest getting a moisture test done on the stringers, transom and engine room bulk head immediately. As in my case he only trigger to find this was a leak from the starboard side sterndrive "area" - if I had gone out in heavy seas that day it would have sunk !!

Cheers
Brett Smith.

Sorry Forgot,

I have many photo's of the hull rot with both motors and stern drives out. If anyone is interested.

Please take the time to check your own hulls before an injury or death results from the hull's failure.

Sorry again, worked out how to post the pictures.... new to this.

Please hit link to photobucket to have a look at the photos of the engine room and transom of a 5 year old (2004 model) Four Winns Vista 328.......

http://s999.photobucket.com/albums/af11 ... sta%20328/

Please have your hulls checked for moisture ASAP.

Cheers
Brett

Hi Brett, sorry to hear about your hull -

I cant believe the damage on a 2004.

Have you contacted Four Winns directly ?

Steve

Hi Steve

Thanks for the reply.

At this stage Four Winns have basically said they are not interested.

I am not the first owner of the boat but I really think the problem began on day one so I am very disappointed by the lack of interest they have.

I don't know where to go from here, I was hoping other members may be able to offer advice on what course of action to take.

Very confused and disappointed.

Brett.

What was Four Winns response ?

Four Winns has a lifetime warranty on the structural components of the hull. I do not know if this is a transferred warranty to subsequent owners.


Steve

Man, sorry to see that. How badly corroded are your drives? I see that your ablative paint goes right to the drive which is a big no-no. Mercury specified a 1.5" gap (minimum, I did 2") gap around my drives..

_________________
V475
Chris Craft Catalina 23 w/ 300 G2
Previously-V338, 248 Vista, H210

Apparently the 2004 Vista only has a 5 year warranty and that expired in January this year.

So even though the damage obviously started many years ago, FW has made no effort to communicate further or investigate in any way.

As for the sterndrives they are fine, no corrosion at all.

Other than the hull the rest of boat is in great condition, has done about 350 hrs on the motors and 250hrs on the genset. Without major problems at all.

The vessel has regularly gone on 100nm return trips and a few trips 120nm offshore to the reef.

Cheers
Brett.

Go to Fourwinns.com

Click on customer service, past product info, past catalogs, 2004, Vista Cruisers, Winning Edge and it states Lifetime warrany on hull structural components. I found somewhere else that stated it is transferable.


Steve

Thanks Steve,

I had seen that - which is where I began an email discussion with Four Winns. They then asked for the hull HIN and came back with a two page document that stated that the hull warranty on the 2004 model was 5 years only, and that it could be transferred to the second owner if they completed a transfer form and sent $100 within 15 days !!!!

Information that might have been handy at the time from the boat broker !!!

My argument is the hull was manufactured wrong at the start and the damage began well within the first owners, ownership.......

I also believe FW should at least investigate the damage so than can perhaps inform other owners of the same boat to check and make sure they are not experiencing the same problems - and the risk of sinking my boat clearly had.

I wish they would show some moral and ethical interest.

You need to open a case with Boat US... They are the lobbying force for the consumer to go up against the giant boat manufacturers. I highly suggest you go there and start a case with them and let them deal with FW and see what happens.

Hey maybe they can get further than you, even if FW would agree to do the repair at a discounted labor fee, it would be worth it to you.

And yes that is absolutely sad to see on a 2004 hull, hell even Stingray which some consider to just be a notch above Bayliner, use Greenwood XL, which is guaranteed ROT PROOF for the life of the boat.

_________________
Brett DiMichele

Thanks Brett,

Thats great advice hope they can help me even though I am in Australia.

Yes it is quite mind blowing to see the damage close and realise the boats only just 5 years old..

Thanks again.

Have FW given you a reason for the difference between the website quoted warranty and the one they sent you ?

seems strange to me.

not yet, I am still waiting for a response generally !!

I will ask again on monday...... they have just started ignoring me, I have only sent 2 emails since the last response.

Brett's response earlier may put me on the right channel, I have made contact with boat us.

Thanks
Brett.