www.iFourWinns.com

new member but old salt. 2008 358V galley refrigerator gave up after 18 solid years. no problem, i have a direct replacement sitting in my garage for an easy swap, right? not hardly! the sliding companionway doors do not open far enough to allow me to get the old fridge out of the cabin let alone the new one in. after playing many games of tetris with the old fridge with no luck i figured the best way would be to remove the sliding doors. i detached the doors from the bottom slider frame thru the access panel in the port cockpit lounge but cannot get to any of the screw holding the doors to the top frame as the deck covers the track/screws. i'd like to think that the top rollers are just sitting in the track but methinks they are captive. i don'w want to break anything

has anyone successfully removed the companionway doors? if so, can you educate me?

thanks in advance - fingers crossed

_________________
2008 358V 5.7 Volvo GXi V-Drives

Pink Floyd, 1979: "Is There anybody Out There?" who might have some advice for me.

if i remove the mechanicals from the old unit (compressor, coils, etc) i can probably get it out but, Nova Kool assured me that if i did that to the new fridge i would immediately void the warranty.

at a loss

thanks.

_________________
2008 358V 5.7 Volvo GXi V-Drives

Welcome to the site. Your boat is newer and larger than my 2002 268 Vista, but you might have a look at this.

This is from a google search for "How to remove the companionway door on a 2008 Four Winns 358 Vista."

To remove the sliding companionway door assembly on a Four Winns express cruiser like the 358 Vista, slide the acrylic/plexiglass door fully open, locate and remove the interior threshold/track stop screws, back out the upper guide retainers, and carefully lift the door panel out of its lower track channel.
Step-by-Step Removal ProcessSlide and Prep: Open the companionway door completely to access the mounting tracks and internal stop limits.
Remove Stops: Look at the top and bottom tracks for small Phillips stop screws or plastic retainer bars that prevent the door from traveling out of the channel. Unscrew and remove these stops.
Disengage Rollers/Guides: Inspect the lower sliding track for adjustment screws or lift mechanisms that lower or release tension on the door shoes/rollers.
Lift and Clear: Tilt the bottom of the door slightly inward toward the cockpit or cabin, lift it up to clear the lower lip, and pull the panel free from the upper overhead track.
The AI-assisted google search included this: If you can share whether you are trying to remove just the sliding acrylic panel or the entire frame/housing, I can give you more precise instructions.

I hope this helps. I changed the fridge in my 268 in 2012. It was a tight fit. Good luck.

_________________
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