www.iFourWinns.com

I removed the carper in my ski locker for cleaning and notices get coat cracks from where the drain is. So my question is should I just use clear silicoln to seal it for now since I definately am not going to bring hte boat in and miss months on the water when the summer is here. I figure I can just remove the silicoln later and have them repair it at the end of the summer. What are your thoughts.

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Four winns 180 horizon

If you intend to actually fully repair the cracks (fill cracks and re-gel-coat), then the silicone may present a problem. It may be best to just leave it alone until the repair is made.

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Gordon Arnold
New Hampshire

2003 268 Vista ..................................................................Prior: 97 245 Sundowner

I agree, assuming it doesn't get terribly wet in there. I wouldn't want a lot of water getting into those cracks.

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Mike
2005 Four Winns 230/240
VP 5.7GXi/DP
1998 F-150 XLT
Boat Pic

Dont know if anyone else has any thoughts on this quick fix,but how about just using some good quality adhesive tape for now?????
Ardy
South Oz

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Ardy
Adelaide South Australia
Red H180 3.0 Merc

I was thinking about that. I mean you can't see them because they are under the carper but when you clean the boat the floor gets cleaned with water so yea water will get in there. Kinda sucks beggining of the season and I didn't notice it. You guys think something like paint might work? like the clear coat stuff you buy to touch up your car. I just dont want water to get in there and cause other problems. The boat is a 07 so it is still under warranty but try to get any one to fix it in the summer.

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Four winns 180 horizon

Any chance of taking some pictures? Cracks vary in their severity. It's hard to say just how 'important' it is to deal with them without seeing them. But I agree, DO NOT USE SILICONE. That stuff is a royal pain in the ass to remove. It will only complicate the correct repair later. Generally it's never great to use it on a boat. Least of which because it's usually not UV stable. When applying it where it's correctly used, it's often best to use a caulk intended for marine applications.

Any thoughts on how the cracks developed? Stress? Impact?

Depending on where it's cracked and, more importantly, what's behind it, you may not be able to get away with a quick fix. You really don't want a simple repair to turn into a nightmare due to water intrusion and things like rotted stringers.

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-Bill Kearney, 2005 348 Vista

It sounds like the cracks are in location that are not in very noticeable, so why not just fill them in with a gel-coat repair kit for summer? At the end of boating season then have it repaired under warranty. Check with your dealer they may provide the kit for you.

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Fred 248Vista
So much water so little time!

Pretty common to have cracks in the ski locker. I see it often. I would not worry about it, it's most likely cosmetic. Leave it until the end of the season, and have it repaired by the dealer.
Just keep an eye on it throughout the season, to see if it gets any worse. My guess is it will look the same as it does now.

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

Current Boat: 2004 Chaparral 235 ssi cuddy

Unless the dealer is far far away, I'd be inclined to show them the cracks now, get their take on repairs under warranty, and then negotiate a repair date for end of season. Discuss any temporary repairs with them. My worry would be that any temporary repairs made before bringing it to the dealer would be viewed as an attempt to disguise the real cause.

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2007 Horizon 200
4.3L GXi/ SX 225 HP

As the good Cap'n implied .... if the crqcks are just hairline cracks in the gelcoat only, then water intrusion is not an issue nor a problem .... it's just cosmetic. If this is the case, just have it repaired at the end of the season.

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Gordon Arnold
New Hampshire

2003 268 Vista ..................................................................Prior: 97 245 Sundowner

I think I will be using adhesive tape AKA duct tape. then remove it at the end of every trip. At the end of the season have it fixed or just do it myself since it is not very noticeable (aka under the ski locker carpet) good time for me to practice my gelcoat repair on a unseen peice.

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Four winns 180 horizon

I would definately make your dealer aware of it now.

- My first concern would be the reason for an 07 to be cracking there in the first place. Second, I don't know about your dealer but mine would make this a priority. They would put me on the schedule for a week or two out and get it done and fixed. We spend a lot of money of these and I wouldn't hesitate to let Four Winns pay for the repair and get it done right away.

If it's sometype of probelm you won't know unitl it's fixed and happens again. If thats the case I would want to know now before the boat is another season older.

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2008 Four Winns 224 Funship 5.0 GXI/DP Black w/ Tower
2007 GMC Crew Cab Short Bed / Bose Ed.
2007 Fourwinns H180 (SOLD)

"There are no stupid questions, only stupid people"