www.iFourWinns.com

But that won't stop me! Want to hear the latest?

My Kohler 5E genset with 86 hours has decided to stop drawing in seawater. It's probably a bad or seized impeller, which according to the manual should be "inspected" at 300 hours. With temps nearing 100 degrees and humidity in 80% range, sleeping with AC is a must.

There is water in the bilge, where there wasn't before. No idea what caused this.

So, let's recap the major issues thus far since the May delivery:

A/C inadequate (FW replaced)
Smell of gas in the cabin (still don't know why)
VacuFlush Head stopped working (fixed)
Fridge vibrates so badly it wakes us up, even with the genset on
Gap in the mid-cabin open to the engine room (sealed and fixed)
Several small issues not worth mentioning

As icing on the cake, the $2K bottom paint job is bubbling and coming off after 3 months. That's not a FW issue, though.

This is our second FW boat in 10 months and my wife has already said she wants to try another brand for #3... whenever that is.

On a more positive note, while we couldn't sleep on the boat this weekend, we used it all weekend.

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

http://vista278.com

300 hrs on the impeller for a Kohler is bull****. I lost mine at 75hrs. We will see how long this one lasts. When I replaced mine, it had no fins at all. I'm guessing that the orginal was just crap.

I'll pass on condeming FW for the A/C issue. they can't cover every situation, only take and average. To their credit, they step up and fixed it, IMHO, more than many other builders would do.

Don't sweat the water in the bilge, they aren't meant to stay dry. By all means look for a source but if none of the usual culprits aren't found (hose, leaky raw water pump, loose sea strainer) don't worry too much. Mine was last weekend until we had a heavy storm on Saturday night. Sunday and removal of the plug drained water.

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Jvalich
http://www.badcock.com

'04 FW 288 Vista "Mental Floss"

2k for a bottom paint job?????????!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

What am I missing? My ex and I used to bottom paint our 30' full keel Catalina for less than $150 a season...

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Guns kill people like spoons make people fat.
2007 Horizon 190 Gxi
97 Pathfinder SE 4x4
73 International Scout II

Ya, I missed that...I'm in the wrong business! That's over $70 /ft.

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Jvalich
http://www.badcock.com

'04 FW 288 Vista "Mental Floss"

That's the cost to haul it out, scuff the bottom and two coats of paint. Which is coming off the starboard side, of course.

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

http://vista278.com

Good news.

My dealer wanted to sub out the warranty work to an authorized Kohler repair shop. Cpoincidentally, the shop at my marina was one such shop.

They called today and replaced the impeller, all is well!

Looks like we'll have a weekend on the water afterall [knock on wood].

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

http://vista278.com

Good news indeed...enjoy!

_________________
Jvalich
http://www.badcock.com

'04 FW 288 Vista "Mental Floss"

More good news, since I bring such negative energy...

The marina hauled the boat out removed the old paint and sandblasted the boat "clean." It's been recoated and we're back in the water, ready for the weekend!

I also too the opportunity to change the outdrive fluid and engine oil.

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

http://vista278.com

What'd they do to remove the old paint?

Good to hear it's back in the water!

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-Bill Kearney, 2005 348 Vista

They sandblasted it, I think. I had fine sand all over the place. The new stuff looks good, so far [fingers crossed].

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

http://vista278.com

Either that or soda blasted. I believe that's easier on the underlying surfaces. But either way, good to hear they did a thorough job!

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-Bill Kearney, 2005 348 Vista

If you have airconditioning were does the condensation from the unit holding tray empty to.....maybe the bilge?

The drip tray on the 348's AC goes into the shower sump and is pumped overboard from there.

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-Bill Kearney, 2005 348 Vista