Owner’s Manual Page
Fiberglass and Hull - Section P
Gel.coat,.like.paint,.will.change.colors.with.time.
and.exposure.to.sunlight.(ultraviolet)..For.this.rea-
son, “matching” gel coat obtained from Four Winns
may.not.match.the.gel.color.of.a.boat.that.has.
been.exposed..However,.this.is.the.closest.match.
commercially available. A fiberglass/gel coat tech
-
nician.can.tint.the.gel.to.be.used.in.the.repair.to.
provide.a.closer.color.match..
More severe fiberglass damage, especially when
structural,.requires.the.expertise.of.an.experienced.
fiberglass repair technician. See your Four Winns
dealer.for.assistance.
NOTICE
Improper repair techniques can lead to further
fiberglass component damage.
C. Osmotic Blistering
Osmotic blistering or “boat pox” is an unfortunate but
not uncommon occurrence in fiberglass boats. Fiber
-
glass.is.water.retardant,.not.waterproof..When.a.boat.
is left in the water for a period of time, the fiberglass
will.absorb.water..It.is.a.natural.process.that.can.not.
be.eliminated.in.production.methods.or.material.selec-
tion.and.usage..However,.there.are.ways.to.control.
and.possibly.prevent.blisters.(see.Section.P6)..If.you.
do.encounter.blisters,.be.assured.that.the.blisters.are.
merely.cosmetic..They.do.not.indicate.a.defect.in.the.
boat.structure.or.lamination..Four.Winns,.along.with.
most.boat.manufacturers,.regard.gel.blisters.as.a.
standard.maintenance.item.
The.repair.procedure.for.gel.coat.blisters.is.similar.
to.the.procedures.outlined.in.the.previous.section.on.
cracks.and.gouges..There.is.an.exception.however,.in.
that.the.hull.must.dry.out.for.several.days.or.possibly.
weeks.before.repairs.can.proceed..
To determine if the hull has dried sufficiently, tape one
square.foot.of.household.plastic.wrap.securely.to.the.
hull.bottom..Make.sure.all.edges.are.sealed.and.let.it.
stand.for.twenty-four.hours..If.condensation.has.ac-
cumulated under the plastic, the hull is still “wet” and
must.be.allowed.to.dry.longer.before.repairing..
When.the.repair.is.completed,.an.application.of.an.
epoxy.barrier.coat.should.be.considered..This.will.help.
prevent.the.possibility.of.reoccurrence.of.blisters..Your.
Four.Winns.dealer.or.local.ship.store.will.have.informa-
tion.on.barrier.coat.products.
structural.integrity.of.the.boat..In.most.cases,.they.are.
cosmetic.and.can.be.treated..Cosmetic.surface.dam-
age.can.be.repaired.as.follows:
1. Sand the surrounding area with medium or fine grit
sandpaper..Clean.all.marine.growth,.dirt,.antifoul-
ing.paint,.etc..from.the.immediate.area..DO.NOT.
excessively.scratch.or.gouge.the.surrounding.area.
2.. .Use.a.hard,.pointed.tool.to.open.the.gel.crack..
Take.care.not.to.damage.the.surrounding.gel.coat.
3.. .Sand.the.crack.or.gouge.so.the.edges.are.smooth.
and will allow proper “feathering” of the area.
4.. .Clean.the.area.thoroughly..Make.sure.the.area.is.
dry.before.proceeding.
NOTICE
Be sure the structure and the ambient tem-
perature are above 0 degrees F ( degrees
C) and the relative humidity below 0%
immediately before, during, and after the
repair.
5.. .If.the.nick.or.gouge.is.deep.and.penetrates.
through the gel coat, fill the area with fiberglass
patching.paste..Follow.the.directions.on.the.can.
when.mixing.the.paste.with.the.catalyst.
6. After the gouge is filled and has dried, sand the
patched area. Begin by using medium-fine grade
sandpaper. Progressively use finer grade sandpa-
per.until.the.surface.is.very.smooth..If.necessary,.
add filler and then sand the surface again.
7. Apply two or three light coats of matching fiber-
glass.gel.coat.to.the.repaired.area..Enough.gel.
coat.should.be.used.so.that.the.entire.area.is.
covered.
The.gel.coat.must.be.catalyzed.using.up.to.2%.MEK.
Peroxide.which.can.be.purchased.at.a.supplier.han-
dling fiberglass reinforced products. Contact your Four
Winns.dealer.for.assistance.
8.. .After.ample.drying.time,.sand.the.area.using.very.
fine wet/dry sandpaper. If the appearance of the
area.is.still.not.satisfactory,.repeat.steps.2.through.
8.as.necessary.
9.. .If.above.the.waterline,.polish.the.area.using.a.
fiberglass rubbing compound and then wax. If
the.repaired.area.is.below.the.waterline,.the.area.
should.be.primed.and.painted.in.accordance.with..
the.antifouling.paint.manufacturer’s.instructions.
Summary of Contents for 310 Horizon
Page 1: ...3 1 0 H O R I Z O N O W N E R S M A N U A L 0 9 0 2 8 5 8...
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Page 50: ...Owner s Manual Page 47 Warranty and Service Section...
Page 52: ...Owner s Manual Page 49 Warranty and Service Section...
Page 93: ...Owner s Manual Page 90 Sport Boat Waste Water Systems Section FIGURE J13 310H HEAD HARDWARE...
Page 100: ...Owner s Manual Page 97 Sport Boat Waste Water System Section FIGURE J20 310H GRAY WATER SYSTEM...
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