www.iFourWinns.com

I HAVE A 2005 348 VISTA WHICH I PURCHED NEW IN MIAMI AND SHORTLY AFTER I TOOK DELIVERY I NOTICED A CRACK DEVELOPING FROM THE CABIN DOOR SILL. THE DEALER REPAIRED IT IN 06 BUT IT HAS REAPPEARED. HAS ANYONE HAD A SIMILAR EXPERIENCE AND IF SO WHAT WAS THE OUTCOME? OVERALL WE HAVE HAD A VERY GOOD EXPERIENCE WITH THE BOAT. WE HAVE THE 5.7 VOLVOS WITH THE I/O CONFIGURATION

I don't have any direct experience with the 348 ... and the specific crack that you have. However, I would say that the repair was not done properly. The area was likley not fully cut out (ground out) to a point where the cracking was fully elininated .... then built back up with multiple layers of glass and resin. Then finally, new gel coat.

If done properly, the area could have been stronger than before. The good part is that it still can be redone properly.

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Gordon Arnold
New Hampshire

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

Two thoughts come to mind... ONE IS STOP USING ALL CAPS. Really, it makes things a bit difficult to read.

Second, can you better describe the location and direction of the crack? Where does it start and where does it go? A picture would be great too.

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-Bill Kearney, 2005 348 Vista

Thanks for the response. I have owned the Vista for over 3 years but I just found out about this forum so I am a newcomer.
The recurring crack starts in the port side of the cabin door sill and extends about 4 inches towards the bench seat. At this time I do not have a picture but I will take one when I go to the boat again and forward it to you.


William B.

Hmmm, so it's along the curved part where the vertical surface of the door frame slopes down and meets the deck? A picture would definitely help.

How secure are the stairs? I had mine out in order to wedge myself into the cabinet to install some gear (sat weather, network hub, etc). The best way to allow this was to remove the stairs. There's a support column for the stairs that's bolted to the underside of the cockpit deck. If there was a "problem" with the column I'd wonder if it'd affect the deck tension enough to cause cracking. I'm sure the column does add a bit of structural rigidity to the area. If there was too much or too little I could imagine cracks being a possible side effect.

There is also a bulkhead under the area, it's behind the cabinetry. I don't know if it'd be an issue for this problem or not.

Generally cracking only occurs when there's something causing something to move. Either from being overstressed or lacking support. Push up too hard and it'll crack. Allow something to dip too much and it'll crack. Don't know which is the case in your situation.

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-Bill Kearney, 2005 348 Vista

The stairs were removed once to replace the a.c. unit but they seem to have been properly reinstalled. I have the boat out of the water now at the dealer and have gotten minimal feedback re this issue but four winns has been very good about standing behind thier products up to now which leads me to think this will be resolved. My MAIN concern is that a relative who is a marine surveyor stated that it could possibly indicate a liner separation issue since there is another small crack developing by the trim tab switch on the console just above the throttle controls. In a perfect world these will be cosmetic surface cracks which will go away with proper repairs but... I need to know either way.

William B.

It may be worthwhile to pay to have a professional survey done on it. If it really is as bad as a liner separation issue then you want to get it dealt with before the hull warranty expires.

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-Bill Kearney, 2005 348 Vista

Agreed.
thats next on my list if they dont step up.

Frankly, I'd get one done anyway as a safeguard against more 'mumbo jumbo' excuses or lack of communication from the dealer. You're the one with the money (the value of the boat) at risk here. Yes, it'll cost you but it might be better to spend that NOW and get things resolved NOW instead of letting it drag on, and on...

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-Bill Kearney, 2005 348 Vista

One thought about this comes to mind... Whenever I have to have my boat hauled and blocked, the door to the cabin from the cockpit is a much tighter fit after it is put back in the water. This last time, it took about three weeks to get to where I could close the door without slamming it. (the 378 has a swinging door to the cabin instead of a sliding one). I've read that boats tend to warp or twist in various ways when supported by anything besides water. Your crack could have come from a situation similar to this.

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Jerry
2004 378 Vista "Escapade", T-Mercruiser 8.1 SHO
2003 Maxum 3300SE
1987 Wellcraft San Tropez
1991 Chaparral 2550SX
1987 Bayliner 2150
!967 Caravelle 1751

[quote="wkearney99"]Frankly, I'd get one done anyway as a safeguard against more 'mumbo jumbo' excuses or lack of communication from the dealer. You're the one with the money (the value of the boat) at risk here. Yes, it'll cost you but it might be better to spend that NOW and get things resolved NOW instead of letting it drag on, and on...[Good point]