I'm working on a 1996 Four Winns 220 Horizon. It's got a floor panel creaking when it's walked on. I bought plywood, thinking it must be soft, (and a couple other projects) and after removing the panel I find the supports that go across the fuel tank are cracked. They cut a V notch in the bottom for the fuel vent hose, and all three cross braces have cracked right at the top of the notches. While in there I see there are 3 aluminum mounts that secure the tank to the longintudinal stringers. not a one actually secures anything. It looks like they were too long and someone sliced a short piece of fuel hose to slip on the hooked end that fits into the molded recesses on top of the tank thinking it would take up the slack. All three pieces of hose were lying in the recess, off the hold downs which were angled up off the tank. Like the angle wasn't bent correctly. I will try to attach some pics. Question is, do I need any cushion on the ends of the flat anchors? Or can I just correct the length and install them without the short fuel hose spacers? I have 3/4" Marine grade plywood that I have cut in 2" strips, made a notch for the fuel vent hose by drilling a hole and cutting it down so there's not a sharp corner at the top, and thinking to scab them alongside the existing cross braces. I will clamp up the cracked portion and run screws through from the new plywood to reinforce the old braces. Any advice or opinions as to the viability of this repair? Thanks, Joe.
