Fiberglass And Hull; Hull.design.information; Fiberglass.construction; Equipment.installation - Four winns FUNSHIP Owner's Manual

P - 1 HULL DESIGN INFORMATION
Four.Winns .boats.are.designed.using.the.sound.en-
®
gineering.and.mathematical.principles.of.hydrostatics,.
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
are of the finest quality materials, workmanship and
construction.techniques.available..This.ensures.the.
structural.integrity.to.provide.years.of.boating.enjoy-
ment.with.minimal.maintenance.
The.construction.of.a.Four.Winns
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..Some.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/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 us-
ing special equipment, for fiberglass reinforcement
to resin ratio, laminate configuration, weight and
thickness..By.these.procedures.Four.Winns.ensures.
proper.composition..
Fiberglass and Hull - Section P
.boats.
®
.hull.begins.with..
®

Fiberglass and Hull

P - 3 EQUIPMENT INSTALLATION
Many boats are used for specific purposes or under .
conditions.which.require.the.addition.of.special.equip-
ment.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.com-
pound.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 predrill fastening holes with a proper
size bit. Predrilling 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.load-
ing 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 exte-
®
rior finish. It is specially formulated to resist fading and
yellowing,.and.retain.more.of.its.original.gloss.than.
lesser.grade.gel.coats..However,.it.is.still.important.to.
maintain the gel coat to protect the finish.
A. General Maintenance
For.freshwater.use,.the.boat.should.be.washed..
once.or.twice.a.month..When.using.in.a.salt.water.
environment,.considerably.more.care.will.be.neces-
sary..Be.careful.when.selecting.a.cleaning.agent..
Hand.dishwashing.detergents.are.usually.gentle..
and.are.recommended.for.cleaning.gel.coat..Cleaning.
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