Four Winns Hulls? FiberGlass and Wood? Repair - Help

[enginesilo]

I am shopping a 1999/2000 Four Winns 170 Horizon and was wondering if this model boat has both Fiberglass and Wood?

The boat has a small spot on the bottom where it looks like some of the gel coat cracked off, about the size of a plum in a circular shape. Underneath it looks like it has another layer of smooth gel coat. Didn't look like it was actually cracked deeper than that in any way, but instead that the section of gel coat was chipped off by maybe hitting something minimal.

Anyone know if these boats were multi layered? Would this be an easy fix? Or think it could have allowed water to seep in? It looked like a clean chipped spot so I am thinking it might just need a quick fix.

Thoughts?

 

[oops!]

Re: Four Winns Hulls? FiberGlass and Wood? Repair - Help

im only guseeing here ...as im not framilliar with the construction of the four winns.....

however....boats are most allways constructed the same.....mold...gellcoat...chopper gun...then mabe...layups....

im guessing ...yours is a minor gell coat repair......

grind the area.....clen with aceitone....then fill with marine tex.....


if your advanced....there is a new product called "patch aid" from composits one....this is mixed with gell coat....the repairs can be made invisible...

hope that helps

cheers
oops

 

[enginesilo]

Re: Four Winns Hulls? FiberGlass and Wood? Repair - Help

Thanks for the details. The first steps you mentioned are what I was hoping to hear and will probably do if I buy the boat. Anyone else have feedback?

 

[stevenw00]

Re: Four Winns Hulls? FiberGlass and Wood? Repair - Help

If you haven't bought it yet, at least take pictures to a Four Winns/boat dealer and see what they say.
I'd recommend getting the motor checked out as well, while you're there.

 

[enginesilo]

Re: Four Winns Hulls? FiberGlass and Wood? Repair - Help

If you haven't bought it yet, at least take pictures to a Four Winns/boat dealer and see what they say.
I'd recommend getting the motor checked out as well, while you're there.

Good Tips,
I am in the midst of it all and will send pics to the manufacturer to see what they say. I called and ask and they said that light blistering occurs on boats in a small statistic and is usually not an issue and does not effect the integrity of the hull so that is good to hear.

 

[ondarvr]

Re: Four Winns Hulls? FiberGlass and Wood? Repair - Help

Like opps! said, it's most likely an old repair with poor prep work (smooth gel coat under it) and it just popped of. Blistering is a different issue and is normally located in the laminate with blisters that don't pop off and when dug out they are dark inside.

 

[enginesilo]

Re: Four Winns Hulls? FiberGlass and Wood? Repair - Help

Thanks for the tips. I'll post pics once I can take them.

 

[Coors]

Re: Four Winns Hulls? FiberGlass and Wood? Repair - Help

Yeah, email 4winns, they will help you out, even on boats 10 years older than yours.

 

[enginesilo]

Re: Four Winns Hulls? FiberGlass and Wood? Repair - Help

Great to know they stand behind their product. Will snap some pics and post once I get the boat.