Well this is an old one, with a new chapter! We are the new owners of the Vista originally shown in this thread. In fact, those pics were the same ones used in the ad we answered last Summer. I really didn't know much about fiberglass trailers, but I do know a bit about fiberglass sailboats, having lived aboard both a monohull (no kids) and a catamaran (with kids). In between boats right now but we also enjoy mountainbiking and trailrunning so decided to look for an inexpensive camper.
We bought this 1996 18' Vista and couldn't be happier. As you can tell, it's not a common model on this forum, nor it is a fiberglass trailer in the true sense like others on here. But the world being small like it is, I managed to get some info on the Vista trailers by of all people, my mailman!
Seems like these trailers were made right here where I live, in/around Port Colborne, Ontario, Canada. 2 half shells were glassed together, then the floor (1/2" marine plywood) was glassed in place. Anyone familiar with Canadian sailboats will know of C&C Yachts. Some of the Vista employees formerly worked building C&C's, so there was alot of fiberglass knowledge on the shop floor. Looking at the exterior, I am really impressed with how true and fair the glasswork is, better than most boats I have seen.
We are now looking into restoring the exterior (first). The trailer was obviously sat in the same spot for quite awhile, facing the sun, thus showing the effects on the gelcoat. I tried a 3-Part resto kit last Summer but it is beyond the kits capabilities, so we are now checking around local shops for someone to either
paint or re-gelcoat.
Doing a little research, and one thing that will need replacing is the "rubrail" (nautical term I know) that was used to cover a good portion of the half-shell seam. Could anyone point me in the direction of this material?