www.iFourWinns.com

At the bottom of the steps, as you step back into the aft cabin, is a wooden floor board with carpet.

How do you lift this item in order to change the carpet? It looks like it is screwed somewhere???

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GI Auz
2004 288 Vista
Twin 4.3 Merc


Previously:
Beneteau 411 Non-Stink

If it is anything like the 268, the carpeted panel is probably screwed down from the top. Look closely and feel the carpet for screws that all but disappear in the carpet pile. Just be careful that the screwdriver or electric driver does not wrap a carpet fiber around the screw and cause a run.

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Surface Interval: A scuba diving term for that time between dives to relax and prepare for life's next great adventure.

Current boat: '02 FW 268 Vista
Previous boat: '95 FW 190 Horizon

We had a similar issue with the carpet in this area on our 2006 288 when we purchased it. The carpet on the steps was "nasty" so I replaced these steps with cherry steps which I fabricated. The carpet at the bottom we shampooed with good results. Note, the previous owner was not one for keeping stuff clean and maintained, but the carpet in this area did respond with a mild detergent and a good scrubbing. If your carpet is trashed beyond recovery, I would take a utility knife to it, cut it out and replace with something (carpet) that comes close to original or look at a laminate that could be glued down. Hope this helps.

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"One Moor Time" 2006 288 Vista
"Kalin II" 1995 258 Vista
"Kalin" 1985 Four Winns 215 Santara

thanks guys - yeah going to replace. Not that expensive really.

_________________
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GI Auz
2004 288 Vista
Twin 4.3 Merc


Previously:
Beneteau 411 Non-Stink

How does the wood step work for you? I would think it would get slippery if they get wet. Did you put grips on them? The carpet step is one of the very few things I dislike about my boat. I think it looks cheap relative to the rest of the well designed cabin and does not stay clean with kids.

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--2002 3880 Regal Flybridge | Twin Merc 8.1HO **Seven**
--2003 AB 13 VST Console Inflatable | Tohatsu 40hp TLDI **Phish'n ski**
--310 Mercury Inflatable | 1982 9.9 Johnson

What does??

_________________
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GI Auz
2004 288 Vista
Twin 4.3 Merc


Previously:
Beneteau 411 Non-Stink

Cherry steps work great and look much better than carpet from factory. No problem with being slippery...just to be on safe side, I placed two 1" strips of non-slip self adhesive tape to the leading edge. Very happy with how they turned out. Used existing steps for pattern. Used 6/4" rough cherry planed to 5/4" finish, rounded edges, finish sanded and three coats poly. Sweet!

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"One Moor Time" 2006 288 Vista
"Kalin II" 1995 258 Vista
"Kalin" 1985 Four Winns 215 Santara

JohnScott, can you post up a picture.

I will see what I can do as the only picture I have is on my old phone which has been deactivated. Boat is in storage 300 miles away, otherwise I could post a picture. If I remember, I will post a picture in May when I get back to the boat. One thing I didn't mention, for the finish, I used Minwax cherry stain followed by three coats of Minwax Polycrylic satin finish. I also used the ABS plastic piece that was fastened to the underside of the carpeted steps by fastening them to the underside of the new steps.

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"One Moor Time" 2006 288 Vista
"Kalin II" 1995 258 Vista
"Kalin" 1985 Four Winns 215 Santara

pic in time would be inspirational....

_________________
----------------------
GI Auz
2004 288 Vista
Twin 4.3 Merc


Previously:
Beneteau 411 Non-Stink

It sounds really nice that would make a big difference on looks. Thanks

_________________
--2002 3880 Regal Flybridge | Twin Merc 8.1HO **Seven**
--2003 AB 13 VST Console Inflatable | Tohatsu 40hp TLDI **Phish'n ski**
--310 Mercury Inflatable | 1982 9.9 Johnson

Here's the pict. of cherry steps which I fabricated for our 288. Pict. was taken before I applied the two strips of black no slip adhesive tape to the front topside of each step. Sorry about the configuration of the pict. Happy to answer any other questions.

http://village.photos/images/user/fb935 ... c78ea0.jpg

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"One Moor Time" 2006 288 Vista
"Kalin II" 1995 258 Vista
"Kalin" 1985 Four Winns 215 Santara

wow - now on my to do list:)

_________________
----------------------
GI Auz
2004 288 Vista
Twin 4.3 Merc


Previously:
Beneteau 411 Non-Stink

Those came out really nice!
Do you remember what exact color stain you used? I always have trouble matching stains and those look like a fair match to the cabinets.

_________________
--2002 3880 Regal Flybridge | Twin Merc 8.1HO **Seven**
--2003 AB 13 VST Console Inflatable | Tohatsu 40hp TLDI **Phish'n ski**
--310 Mercury Inflatable | 1982 9.9 Johnson

Thanks...they sure beat the carpeted steps. Minwax brand cherry stain on cherry wood.

_________________
"One Moor Time" 2006 288 Vista
"Kalin II" 1995 258 Vista
"Kalin" 1985 Four Winns 215 Santara