www.iFourWinns.com

Has anyone experience an issue with their gas/waste vents extending outside the rubrail where during movement in and out of a slip where the vents catch the dock fenders. Pretty poor design, the dock fenders get pulled from their mount each time I back into the slip on a windy day. Know of any modification that can be done to cure this issue?

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2009 Four Winns V318

Yep, I actually caught one perfect on a dock, docking on a windy day, pushed it right thought the side of the boat . Wasnt a cheap fix. Our current boat has these flush mounted ones on it, much better.

http://www.attwoodmarine.com/store/category/fuel/fuel-tank-vents

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Jeff

'14 Cruisers 380 Express "Simon Sez"
Merc 8.2 Mag MPI 380
DTS B3X, (x2) Axius Premier


(SOLD)
'08 V318
Merc 350 Mag MPI 300
DTS Seacore, B3 (x2)

As Jeff says, get the flush mount type, and change out the one's you currently have. The flush mount type was also on our last boat from the day it was made at the factory, and it was an ancient 2005 model. You should be good to go then.

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

Current Boat: 2004 Chaparral 235 ssi cuddy

We really enjoy our 328 Vista, but if I had to identify one thing that bugged me the most about our 328 it would be that the bilge vents are ever so slightly proud of the rub rail. I am very mindfull of this everytime we leave/return to our boat well and any dock that we dock alongside. I have not damaged mine yet, but my docking neighbour with a 328 left his well and caught the vent on the dock post. After the big bang of the vent being knocked off into the water, he had the chore of fishing it out for repair and re-attaching. I too question why the rub rail is not at least somewhat proud of the vent instead of the other way around.

Mike.

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Current Boat
- 2001 Four Winns 328 Vista "Hour Decision"
- 2010 310 Mercury Inflatable

Previous Boats
- 30' Doral Prestancia
- 25' Doral Citation

The bummer about this is the same thing happend on my 03 268, I was able to make a stainless trim plate to repair it. If I had to do over I would put the flush ones in.

_________________
Jeff

'14 Cruisers 380 Express "Simon Sez"
Merc 8.2 Mag MPI 380
DTS B3X, (x2) Axius Premier


(SOLD)
'08 V318
Merc 350 Mag MPI 300
DTS Seacore, B3 (x2)

Any idea if they can be accessed easily? After JSimon's experience I've always thought about changing them out.

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

The starboard one is easy to get to, just remove the forward backrest section of the U lounge behind the captains seat. Its just lifts up off the clips that they use.

So going from that I wonder if the port could be accessed if the cockpit fridge is removed. Thats slighty aft and I cant remember if there is access to the gunwhale area with it out. If not it there is some access with the backrest of the portside lounger removed (4 screws from inside the storage area going up, then lift off the clips), but it may be a long reach.

_________________
Jeff

'14 Cruisers 380 Express "Simon Sez"
Merc 8.2 Mag MPI 380
DTS B3X, (x2) Axius Premier


(SOLD)
'08 V318
Merc 350 Mag MPI 300
DTS Seacore, B3 (x2)

Yeah, only difficult one I can think of is the water tank vent up the starboard bow, and maybe the waste tank vent.

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

Forgot about that one. It easy though, remove the cedar board in the back wall of the closet and its right there.

_________________
Jeff

'14 Cruisers 380 Express "Simon Sez"
Merc 8.2 Mag MPI 380
DTS B3X, (x2) Axius Premier


(SOLD)
'08 V318
Merc 350 Mag MPI 300
DTS Seacore, B3 (x2)

Sweet. Might as well order them now as I found them on sale.

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

Thanks for the input.....sounds like my next project. I haven't damaged the boat yet, but will happen sooner or later without the change.

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2009 Four Winns V318

Neither have I...but a cheap preventative fix! Here's the cheapest part I found...

http://www.firstchoicemarine.com/p-922- ... 032-3.aspx You'll need 4 to get all the vents.

And I was able to pick up the rest of my winter supplies (Anodes and Genset Impeller) and free shipping.

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