www.iFourWinns.com

2006 348 Vista
Our cockpit table top laminate is de-laminating. As a winter project i am going to get a new top made. Pretty easy to make a new top out of wood and have it laminated, but i was thinking about some tpe of synthetic, solid surface product, for lack of better example Corian. This way I could almost match the cockpit sink surface. I obviously dont care about the four winns logo, does nothing but trap dirt etc.

Anybody have experience with putting a solid surface product? Anybody out there replaced their cockpit table?

Any thoughts and/or advice would be appreciated.

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2006 348 Vista
"Cruisin Home"
Hampton NH

I'm not sure if this is the answer your looking for but a company like Wilsonart has a HUGE selection of laminate and thin solid surface material that you could easily copy the look of your other surfaces, and the stuff is really easy to work with. Just trim to shape, glue and roll it. Bends around corners too. http://www.wilsonart.com/

More infohttp://www.cruisersforum.com/forums/f55/thin-solid-surface-material-50807.html

I've always wanted to make a high gloss cockpit table with a compass rose inlay for our boat but just never find the time...maybe next winter Keep us posted on your project!

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Our Boating Blog: http://ben-dana.blogspot.com/

2005 268 Vista "Sea Pickle II"
1979 AMF Alcort Puffer
Previous:
2003 FW190 Horizon
1973 Startcraft 18ft "Sea Pickle"

I replaced the cockpit table on my 328 last Summer. The laminate separation was the least of its issues; it was practically falling apart.

I almost went the route you're thinking of, but after investigating everything I'd have to buy and how long the project would take, I just contacted Four Winns and ordered the table. A week and a half after placing the order, which is less than the amount of time it would have taken for me to construct one, and for a lower cost, I had a brand new table.

I'd be interested in seeing if you ultimately follow through with this project, and the result.

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Insane Desire - My 2000 328 Vista...and my state of mind

The one on our 348 is also delaminating. It's loosened from the surface below. But it hasn't cracked or let any air or moisture into it. It wasn't bad enough to warrant replacement last season, but I may get a new one this year. I'm inclined to just get another one from the factory. That'll likely be less hassle than dealing with anything else.

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-Bill Kearney, 2005 348 Vista

I did replace the cockpit table this winter. I had one made from a friend and it was made out of African Mahogany and he ended up laser engraving the boat logo into the table. I am not sure what the cost of the new table is from Four Winns, but he ended up charging me about 300.00. I did order the two brackets that mount under the table from four winns since they were cracking and peeling. I wanted to match closely the table that was in the cabin. I think the table measures about 19" x 32 inches oval.

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2002 348 Vista

How does that work?? They use a laser vs a router? It must burn the wood, yes?

I am considering wood, may do myself.

Also looking into a company that makes tabletops for outside restaurant tables..material is type of synthetic called melamine.

I will not replace with the four winns laminate. Just not robust enough.

Love to see your African mohagany top with the laser engrave, post pic please.

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2006 348 Vista
"Cruisin Home"
Hampton NH

You might also consider a table that would fit from another builder. Just a thought.

http://greatlakesskipper.com/category-1 ... stals.html


Or a custom table if you don't have tools to make your own.

http://www.marinerswoodshop.com/default.html

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

Current Boat: 2004 Chaparral 235 ssi cuddy

Thx for the suggestions. Really like the skipper site!
If wood, I do have the tools. Still pursuing the solid surface. It just seems kidproof and weatherproof!

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2006 348 Vista
"Cruisin Home"
Hampton NH

The first site is good, BUT the 2nd one is just fantastic!! My X-father-in-law can do work like that. ONLY one problem, I am not on speaking terms with him.

I am a member of a yacht club. So the took the club burgge and layed it down on a out-side bar table. Than layed about 1/2 think of West Systems on it. Hard is a rock, wears like iron, but it is a little yellow. In sun light it is hard to tell.

yes they laser engrave it, I dont have the table back yet, should have it back within a couple weeks and will post pics when I get it.

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2002 348 Vista

Sounds great!!

I'm less inclined to go with wood. I hate the idea of bringing aboard YET ANOTHER THING that I have to maintain. I love the look of wood but absolutely despise the maintenance it requires. That and with guests onboard I'm always glad to have easy to clean surfaces.

I guess my first step is going to be to see if I can pry loose the existing top to see why it has delaminated. I'm wondering if it might be possible to get a peek in there and possibly inject some adhesive to get it to stick back down again. A bit of epoxy squirted in there and some clamps might postpone the replacement for another season.

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-Bill Kearney, 2005 348 Vista

Don't think u r going to have much luck Bill, I tried to do same and it all just broke apart. Very brittle material, has obviously outgassed all of it's plasticizer.

As for solid surface I just got response from company that says they can make it in any color. Sending them drawing today for quote. They can even router in a design like the four winns logo.

Paul, so u have to re-marry the ex just to get her father to make the table!!!! Ouch

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2006 348 Vista
"Cruisin Home"
Hampton NH