www.iFourWinns.com

I agree. I tried regluing the strip that went around the edge of the table multiple times. It was ultimately a waste of time and effort. Once the laminate lifted from the surface on one side and began cracking I gave up and contacted the Four Winns parts dealer for a replacement.

_________________

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

Now there's a fine example of why I love online forums... advice straight from experience without a lot of attitude. Thanks guys, I'd guess my table material is likewise as brittle. You've saved me the headache of wasting much time on it.

If I could find a good solid surface replacement for less than the factory top then I'd go for it. Don't think I'd really care about the logo being embossed in it, that's more for the factory's brand promotion than any actual usefulness to me. All it does it collect spilled gunk. But at least it was easy to clean. I definitely would not want to go with an oval shape. The factory's trapezoidal shape works well for the space. Likewise the rounded corners spare people from getting bruises. The raised lip is a definite must have as it keeps spills on the table and off the carpet & seats.

The factory design itself is basically pretty good, but seems prone to delaminating too soon.

_________________
-Bill Kearney, 2005 348 Vista

Perhaps I should clarify, mine has not cracked. It's still all sealed up. Mine has started to loosen up from the surface below the laminate, lifting away from the core inside. Mainly on the flat portion just inside the port side edge. Instead of the laminate being flush up to the point where it curved up for the lip, it's "pulled up". I can press it back down, so it doesn't appear the core inside has swollen. The laminate cover itself has gotten loose. Thus I sorta figured I might be able to peel away from the bottom perhaps enough to let me inject some epoxy up into that gap, and then clamp it down again. I suppose I could also drill a hole from below to a point just below the top surface of the laminate. But then I'd probably have problems with chunks getting loose and being stuck inbetween the core and the laminate, leaving a lump.

But given what others have encountered it's likely that my table is likely to start cracking soon, or wouldn't survive any attempts I might make to fix it (due to brittle material, not lack of skills on my part, heh....)

_________________
-Bill Kearney, 2005 348 Vista

By all means if you think you can mess with it to get another seaon or two then do it. Mine is beyond that point.

I have someone quoting me the corian option (sounds like it may be in the $300-400 ballpark). Considering tthe alternative of making my own wooden top.

This forum is great, to be able to speak with others that have the exact same boat in a No-BS fashion is awesome.

_________________
2006 348 Vista
"Cruisin Home"
Hampton NH

I had my original two cockpit tables traced and remade in 1/2 inch starboard. Cost only a couple hundred and will last forever. You could easily do it yourself with a bandsaw or even a jigsaw and router.

_________________

2002 Vista 298
Video of boating from The Florida Keys, to Miami, to Bimini/Bahamas

I made up a replacement for my cabin table, I'll post pictures this evening.

Picked up a 3/4" piece of mahogany plywood, cut to the shape I needed, added a strip of iron on vaneer edging, and stained it. Turned out fantastic, and serves a dual purpose as our v-berth fill in.

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

love to see pics if u can

_________________
2006 348 Vista
"Cruisin Home"
Hampton NH

Cut to shape....


Table top...


Fill in....


So now instead of having a blank fill in board, and a table top, this one serves both purposes.

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

Nice Job!!!

_________________
2006 348 Vista
"Cruisin Home"
Hampton NH

Very nice.

Being practically all thumbs as I am, I am extremely envious.

- Allen

_________________

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

Sometimes, being handy is a curse. Instead of taking the easier and quicker route of paying someone, you put it on your never-ending To Do list... and never get around to getting it done. While those less handy simply pay and invoice and move on.

Yeah, it's fun to make things with your own hands, but sometimes you just need it done and paying someone else is a lot smarter. I, however, still keep making this mistake...

_________________
-Bill Kearney, 2005 348 Vista

You're probably right, but it would be nice if my first thought was "hey, I should just try this myself" instead of reflexively going for my wallet to pay someone else to do it.

I'm impressed with you guys installing lights, radios, speakers, and fridges, building your own tables, and doing your own repairs....jealous actually.

_________________

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

YES!!! Very nice!

Finally decided after much research to build my own table out of Corian. Found many sites with Corian remnants. You can cut this table from 30"wide stock (cock table at angle when cutting from sheet) We are buying the rmnant for about $180. Adhesiv approx $20 (for gluing extra piece around bottom to make a 1" thich biullnose finish. 1/2" plywood bottom $20. some sanpaper etc.

Hope to have a very nice table for just approx $250. I will POST pics when complete. We are ordering the remnant as we speak.

_________________
2006 348 Vista
"Cruisin Home"
Hampton NH

Hey Guys, just got the table done and here is a pic of it. It is African Mahogany laser engraved with my boat name and logo. Simply stunning the way it turned out. Trying to post a pic now, hope it works.

_________________
2002 348 Vista