Four winns 348 Vista, Owner'S Manual

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Owner’s Manual Page 0 Exterior Equipment - Section P
P - 1 HULL DESIGN INFORMATION
Four.Winns
®
.boats.are.designed.using.the.sound.
engineering.and.mathematical.principles.of.hydro-
statics,.hydrodynamics,.structure,.and.strength.of.
materials..The.materials.utilized.provide.optimum.
strength.at.the.lightest.possible.weight..The.exact.
fiberglass laminate schedule and construction .
techniques.of.each.part.is.determined.in.accordance..
with.the.strength.and.rigidity.required.
P - 2 FIBERGLASS CONSTRUCTION
The fiberglass components of Four Winns
®
.boats..
are of the finest quality materials, workmanship .
and.construction.techniques.available..This.ensures.
the.structural.integrity.to.provide.years.of.boating.
enjoyment.with.minimal.maintenance.
The.construction.of.a.Four.Winns
®
.hull.begins.with..
the.application.of.gel.coat.to.the.mold..The.gel.coat..
is.approximately.25.mils.thick..A.coat.of.resin.and.
chopped fiberglass is then sprayed into the hull and
carefully hand rolled until it is securely affixed to .
the.gel.coat.
A number of fiberglass layers and woven roving are
applied.to.the.above.laminate..Each.layer.is.hand..
laid.and.hand.rolled..The.keel.and.chine.areas.have.
fiberglass woven roving overlapped in these areas .
to.provide.additional.strength..Most.Vista
®
.models.
utilize.encapsulated.end-grain.balsa.core.or.coremat.
laminates.to.achieve.additional.rigidity..Others.utilize.
additional.laminations.of.woven.roving.to.maintain.
strength.and.rigidity.
The.hull.support.stringers.are.located.using.special.
tools, and are fiberglassed and/or bonded into place.
This.ensures.a.strong,.rigid.hull,.permanently.formed.
into.a.solid.assembly,.free.of.distortions.
Fiberglass.cockpit.liners.and.seat.base.are.construct-
ed.similar.to.the.hull..Balsa.core.or.coremat.lamin-
ations.are.utilized.when.necessary.
In.addition.to.a.thorough.visual.inspection.of.each.
fiberglass component, samples are measured using
special equipment, for fiberglass reinforcement to
resin ratio, laminate configuration, weight and thick -
ness..By.these.procedures.Four.Winns.ensures.
proper.composition.
P - 3 EQUIPMENT INSTALLATION
Many boats are used for specific purposes or under
conditions.which.require.the.addition.of.special.
equipment.to.the.hull.or.deck..Special.care.must.be.
taken.during.the.installation.of.any.equipment.to.a.
fiberglass component. A polysulfide or butyl based
sealant.should.be.used.to.seal.installations.below.the.
water line. Silicone “marine” seal or similar bedding
compound.should.be.used.elsewhere.
NOTICE
DO NOT install any item onto or through the
hull without adequately sealing the hull area
penetrated by the installed item or related
fasteners. Improper installations could cause
leakage or allow water absorption and thus
cause serious hull damage.
Always pre-drill fastening holes with a proper
size bit. Pre-drilling will help prevent the
fiberglass from splintering and thus causing
unsightly damage. Also, countersink holes to
prevent the gel coat from chipping.
Any.equipment.which.will.be.subjected.to.cyclic.
loading or significant force should be through-bolted .
to a fiberglass component. A butt block or backing
plate.should.be.used.to.strengthen.any.area.onto.
which.an.item.will.be.mounted.
P - 4 FIBERGLASS CARE & MAINTENANCE
Fiberglass.is.affected.by.weathering.processes.and.
requires.maintenance.on.a.periodic.basis.to.help.
maintain.the.beauty.and.shine..The.effects.upon.the.
gel.coat.will.be.dependent.upon.boating.conditions,.
storage,.type.of.use,.and.the.care.given.to.the.boat.
during.the.boating.season.
Four Winns utilizes fade-fighting gel coat in the
exterior finish. It is specially formulated to resist fading
and.yellowing,.and.retain.more.of.its.original.gloss.
than.better.grade.gel.coats..However,.it.is.still.impor-
tant to maintain the gel coat to protect the finish.
A. General Maintenance
For.fresh.water.use,.the.boat.should.be.washed.once.
or.twice.a.month..When.using.in.a.salt.water.environ-
ment,.considerable.more.care.will.be.necessary...
Be.careful.when.selecting.a.cleaning.agent..Hand.dish.
Fiberglass and Hull Information