Four Winns lifetime hull warranty? -1992 horizon 190

[fourwinns19921]

I read that four winns has a lifetime hull warranty. Well, it appears I am in need of a hull repair. Where do I go to get check my lifetime hull warranty? I just bought it, the boat is a 1992 four winns horizon 190. Would they cover the repair under warranty? The entire four winns website totes their lifetime warranty... Does anybody have a relatable experience? thanks

 

[jbcurt00]

Contact 4Winns
http://www.fourwinns.com/us/contact

What kind of hull repair?

Hull blisters arent warranted for life, neither are non-structural problems, like grazing and cracking.

A repair that isnt poor workmanship related (which will be hard to prove on a 25yr old boat) isnt likely to be covered either, like dock rash, or being backed into a garage door.

 

[bruceb58]

Usually only applies to original owner. Good luck.

 

[jbcurt00]

Yep ^^^ forgot to mention they astrick'd the transferable bit on their Limited lifetime warranty claim......

 

[tpenfield]

:welcome:

Did they really have a lifetime warranty back in 1992 :noidea:

Would you elaborate on what sort of repair the hull needs?

 

[Scott Danforth]

http://www.fourwinns.com/us/limited-warranty 5 year warranty on blisters 1 year warranty on gel

i think the lifetime warranty only applies to product built after Beneteau bought them in 2014

 

[fourwinns19921]

Thanks guys. I just got ripped off on my boat, and I'm trying to find coverage for it. I guess it's just a loss.

I spot checked my bilge and found it to be getting water back there. So I replaced the bellows, but water was still getting in.

It's not when in water not when running on hose. It happens whether I'm moving or still, but seems worse when still. I video taped behind my motor while in the water and saw the leak coming down from the transom. Once the boat was out of the water, I took the cover off the motor and started poking around between the plug and the metal transom.

The inner skin is hollow, appears the wood behind the inner skin is gone. It's a small leak, autobilge comes on about every 45 minutes. The soft spot is about a foot wide on either side of the plug, and goes up the back transom wall about 6 inches st it's highest point.

What would you do? I love this boat, it's exactly what I wanted- if it floated better. From scanning this forum seems like a transom rebuild will cost me 4K and I can't justify that. I'd hate to scrap my boat, the interior and motor are perfect condition. Seems like too much of a project for me to take on, I don't even know how I would get the motor off to begin with. And then stuff could go wrong because of whatever method I use to make it possible to even complete the work.

Any tips or advice are greatly appreciated. Can't believe the guy I bought it from ripped me off this bad. Seemed like a decent guy! I could never pass the buck to someone else on it. That would be right. Any moral resolution ideas would be greatly appreciated.

 

[tpenfield]

Well a lot of people have no idea that their boat is rotting out. Why would they even think that, if they take such good care of it and keep it so clean :noidea: So, the seller may not have known, but maybe . . .

There have been many that have come before you that find out the boat they bought is a rotten tub. Many will fix the boat and make it better than new. $4K sounds a bit high to fix the boat DIY, but a bit low if you were to have it done by a shop.

The first thing to do is to see if you can determine the extent of the moisture penetration and the rot. If the transom is a gonner, then chances are the stringers are close behind, along with the main bulkhead.

After you have 3 posts, you can start to post pictures (we like pictures ) You can poke around the structure with a narrow screw driver or an ice pick and see if parts of the structure feel solid or poke through. You can also drill some test holes (1/4" drill) from inside the boat in other areas of the transom and in the stringers. Drill about 2" from the hull surface as that is where the moisture/rot will be. The drill shavings, whether they be dry, wet, mush, etc. will help tell the story. Once you have a sense of how much moisture/rot exists within the boat, then figure it is probably 2 or 3X as bad. :facepalm:

There are tons and tons of threads here on iBoats where people just like you have gone about fixing their nice new (to them) shiny boats and made them hole again. So, there is lots of information and experience to draw from.

The fact of the matter, is once you find that you have a rotted boat, you are really between a rock and a hard place. Can't really sell it and can't really use it.

 

[chevymaher]

I got mine and the guy said it was fine. I thought it was joined this restoration forum because I was buffing and redoing interior. So I thought.

I was warned and told to check. I found the transom to be like yours. And the stringers and bulkheads were gone to.

I got it all out and am in the process of shaping the new wood now.

What you do is totally up to you but. If it is a nice boat and you like it I would fix it but that is me. I fix anything that can be fixed. It is just part of owning a older boat.

I had the initial wow it is going to cost me thing. But I got over it and pushed forward. Still cheaper and easier than the old cars I fool with. Now those are money pits.

Just decide what you want and do it. Once you get past the gutting stage it gets alot better and actually enjoyable to do. Gutting and grinding is the pits tho.

So just give a little time for the shock to wear off and decide. And good luck which ever direction you go.

 

[ahmincha]

Welcome.
Well in my case I wanted a boat but only could afford to spend so much. So that left me with a older boat. And so far my experience is older means rotted or rotting. (Always exception to the rule ) so unless you plan on spending much more on a newer boat then you will fixing this one I'd repair.
This way you know what you have you know you and your family and friends are safe out on the water. And don't underestimate yourself the majority of us have never rebuilt a boat before this site.
There are guys that have done it without a garage only under a tarp.
So my advise is you liked the boat enough to buy it so now make it safe

 

[fourwinns19921]

Thanks guys- I'm taking it to two marinas on Monday. I'll let you know what they say.

After that, sounds like I'll be doing the work. I'll post pictures and all.

I think I'm gonna add another bilge and ride out the summer. Unless the marina says it's too bad to do that. I'd like to replace the transom in the fall, if I have to do it. After I winterize the motor.

 

[bruceb58]

I think I'm gonna add another bilge and ride out the summer. Unless the marina says it's too bad to do that. I'd like to replace the transom in the fall, if I have to do it. After I winterize the motor.

Make sure everyone is wearing their life jackets...all the time. I wouldn't be putting that boat on the water until its fixed.

 

[fourwinns19921]

Yea I changed my mind. I'm doing it this week. I'll start another thread for questions. Thanks guys