www.iFourWinns.com

So I’m on the phone today arranging to get the hull warranty transferred to my soon to be delivered 268V. While talking I mention that my previous (unwarranted) 97 278V had rotten stringers. The rep quickly clarified that this was most likely due to a transom seal failure causing transom rot (which spread to the stingers) and then mentioned something about a gimble bearing failure as a contributing factor. Now I was not clear on that part but I’ve changed a gimble bearing before and cannot fathom how that could have anything to do with water getting in the transom.

So my questions are:

1. What is a likely cause of a transom seal failure? (I’m thinking hard grounding)
2. What effect could a failed (or failing) gimble bearing have?
3. Are there any warning signs or do you just one awful day discover that you have transom or stringer rot.

I should clarify that the next boat has passed a survey. Heck it only has 19 hours. The 97 had not. Suffice it to say that I’m the poster boy for a newbie boat owner not getting a survey.

I also should be clear that this is in no way a rant on the Four Winns rep. He was very nice and I got my hull warranty. I’m just a little paranoid. That last boat cost me a lot of money and aggravation.

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Martin
04 268 Vista - Knot Again
08 Boston Whaler 130 Sport - Double Good
Previous Boat:
97 278 Vista - Buoy Howdy

'04 268....do tell! Pics?

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

Still in Dallas getting bottom paint. Should arrive next week.

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Martin
04 268 Vista - Knot Again
08 Boston Whaler 130 Sport - Double Good
Previous Boat:
97 278 Vista - Buoy Howdy

Well either an improper installation or a hard grounding could do it...but the bigger issue is this...even if there were a leak around that seal...if ONLY THEY SEALED THE HOLES AND CUT OUT FOR THE DRIVE WITH EPOXY...these things would never rot..the problem is they are in a hurry to get the drive installed and they don't seal the edges of the plywood when they cut the drive opening and drill the 6 holes to mount the drive...it would take all of maybe an hour to do this right...

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88 Four Winns 200 Horizon
4.3 OMC Cobra-4bbl
2002 Walker Bay 10/2012 Suzuki 2.5
2008 Walker Bay 8

1998 Jeep Grand Cherokee 4.0/Selectrac
2007 Jeep Grand Cherokee 5.7 Hemi/Quadradrive II

Buoy Howdy,

I'm kind of curious about your '97 Vista, and when you see the picture of mine below, you'll know why:) How did you find out that your seal was leaking? Did you notice the stringer rot first or was there some other issue that got your attention? After reading your post, I checked my stringers and I don't see or feel any problems. I trailer mine so it's not in the water much but the previous owner had it in the water 3 months out of the year.

Joe

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USCG 50 Ton Master Inland/OUPV Endorsement+Towing

1998 278 Vista - Twin 4.3 GLs, Kohler 4KW Gen, AC/Heat.
1999 Yamaha Waverunner SUV
2003 Yamaha Waverunner SUV w/MR-1 HO conversion

That is a beautiful boat. Mine was very similar but without the extended swim platform. My nightmare started with an investigation of a rotten floor under the cushions of the aft cabin. When I pulled the floor up I discovered that the main stringers were rotten. Over two successive winters I replaced what I could get to with out dismantling the boat. Areas that I could not reach, like under the gas tank, I just pumped full of epoxy. Oddly enough the stingers under the engine were solid so I don’t think that this originated at the transom. My theory is that the limber holes were not properly sealed in the main cabin. The original owner had an A/C installed which dumped the condensate directly to the bilge thus providing water to start the whole process.

I love the layout on the early 278’s. The extra beam makes for a nice cabin. I will miss the boat.

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Martin
04 268 Vista - Knot Again
08 Boston Whaler 130 Sport - Double Good
Previous Boat:
97 278 Vista - Buoy Howdy

Thanks, I really like it. My wife does too but she says the next one needs to be over 40', so this will do for now:) I don't think FW did a good enough job sealing those holes from those on mine I looked at. Fortunately for me mine is stored inside and doesn't sit in the water. I'd be a little more worried otherwise. I think you're right on your stringer and floor rot in that it was likely the condensate drain for the AC providing plenty of moisture help the rot along. I'm glad you were able to repair it. That had to be quite a job. I have the factory installed air but the condensate drain doesn't empty in the front bilge. It empties into the engine compartment bilge, so that area in mine never gets wet.

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USCG 50 Ton Master Inland/OUPV Endorsement+Towing

1998 278 Vista - Twin 4.3 GLs, Kohler 4KW Gen, AC/Heat.
1999 Yamaha Waverunner SUV
2003 Yamaha Waverunner SUV w/MR-1 HO conversion

Getting a bit off topic, but here was Buoy Howdy

That looks vaguely familiar:) In fact, that boat is identical to mine. I removed the graphic and replaced the striping right after I bought it.