mrsrobinson
Well-Known Member
Yes, the boat came from Chicago two previous owners before me.
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When I had the salon cushions off a month or so ago playing around with the stereo amps, I saw two things that could be them, I wasn't sure what they were though.
You can see it in this video, blue boxes
I applaud your due diligence to tackle this refurbishment of your swim platform. Too late now that you are underway, however it seems based on the pics posted you may have been better off with a new swim platform?Swim platform refurbish underway. The stringers were mostly cracked where they attached to the stern reinforcing plates (where the bolts attach to the transom). Could have happened a number of ways, most likely previous owner bashing a dock or two.
View attachment 140651 View attachment 140652
Handy moisture meter (Klein Tools ET140 Pinless Moisture Meter) indicated moisture all over the swim platform. Not surprising with the cracked stringers.
The most important thing is ensure the swim platform doesn't twist or lose curvature during the disassembly and rebuild. Obviously a rigid flat surface helps with the twist. For the curvature, made a 'jig' from 2x8 lumber, with the transom curvature traced onto the lumber, then carefully cut with a jigsaw. Had to do this twice, to get an accurate jig. Then screwed the jig onto the transom side of the swim platform, with fender washers and at the exact height at which the jig measurements were taken. As expected, the jig curvature was different than the swim platform given the cracked stringers. The careful process of slowly tightening each screw, brought the swim platform curvature into conformity with the boat transom.
View attachment 140653
Once that was done, removed one of the stringers and the underside fiberglass skin, exposing the wood core. The core was about 50-50 wet vs still serviceable.
View attachment 140654
Going to replace the stringers with 1" Coosa Bluewater 26# fiberglass board. A lot stronger and 30% lighter than marine plywood, and will not rot. The reinforcing plates through which the swim platform bolts to the boat transom will be 1/2" Coosa 26. The coring will be removed and replaced with 1/2" Coosa Bluewater 20#. 1708 fiberglass mat with epoxy resin will be used, with fiberglass cloth tape added for structural stiffness and tabing in components.
The net should be a much stiffer and slightly lighter swim platform. After that the underside will be barrier coated then painted with Alexseal epoxy paint.
Nice work! I wonder if the way you build it, it will be stronger than the original? Might be a nice benefit if you ever put a PWC or dingy back there.Swim platform refurbish underway. The stringers were mostly cracked where they attached to the stern reinforcing plates (where the bolts attach to the transom). Could have happened a number of ways, most likely previous owner bashing a dock or two.
View attachment 140651 View attachment 140652
Handy moisture meter (Klein Tools ET140 Pinless Moisture Meter) indicated moisture all over the swim platform. Not surprising with the cracked stringers.
The most important thing is ensure the swim platform doesn't twist or lose curvature during the disassembly and rebuild. Obviously a rigid flat surface helps with the twist. For the curvature, made a 'jig' from 2x8 lumber, with the transom curvature traced onto the lumber, then carefully cut with a jigsaw. Had to do this twice, to get an accurate jig. Then screwed the jig onto the transom side of the swim platform, with fender washers and at the exact height at which the jig measurements were taken. As expected, the jig curvature was different than the swim platform given the cracked stringers. The careful process of slowly tightening each screw, brought the swim platform curvature into conformity with the boat transom.
View attachment 140653
Once that was done, removed one of the stringers and the underside fiberglass skin, exposing the wood core. The core was about 50-50 wet vs still serviceable.
View attachment 140654
Going to replace the stringers with 1" Coosa Bluewater 26# fiberglass board. A lot stronger and 30% lighter than marine plywood, and will not rot. The reinforcing plates through which the swim platform bolts to the boat transom will be 1/2" Coosa 26. The coring will be removed and replaced with 1/2" Coosa Bluewater 20#. 1708 fiberglass mat with epoxy resin will be used, with fiberglass cloth tape added for structural stiffness and tabing in components.
The net should be a much stiffer and slightly lighter swim platform. After that the underside will be barrier coated then painted with Alexseal epoxy paint.
I applaud your due diligence to tackle this refurbishment of your swim platform. Too late now that you are underway, however it seems based on the pics posted you may have been better off with a new swim platform?
I applaud your due diligence to tackle this refurbishment of your swim platform. Too late now that you are underway, however it seems based on the pics posted you may have been better off with a new swim platform?
Actually no. A new swim platform, as @Chris-380 stated, is not going to match the original.
Where did you get it?Not wanting to stand in the way of a good DIY project but you guys should check your intel on the "typical" new swim platform install. Unless they screw something up, the new platform should be a 100% match to OEM.
Mine was flawless, perfect match to the transom. <$5k delivered.
Where did you get it?
I've never suffered from the "not invented here" syndrome. Thanks for posting.
I like the flat surface of your platform, with the ladder underneath. Do you know what the weight rating of that platform is? I see you have a dinghy holder on the starboard side. Was that part of the purchase or separate?
That's from swimplatforms.com. They are pretty well known around these parts. The weight rating of an aftermarket swim platform is generally going to be more than the transom it's attached to. In my case my 400DA is rated for 600lbs. Pinning someone down on whether or not that includes the platform is a bit of a challenge though
The dinghy setup is not a part of the platform. I did have swimplatforms.com move the ladder to port knowing I was going to have that installed though. They were great to work with...
Thanks! I just called them (602-431-8225) and they answered on the 1st ring. She told me I'd have a quote in less than 30 minutes, that they have done a LOT of 380DAs and lead time is 5-7 weeks from payment.
I wonder if I can make a bar out of the old one for the patio?
I had good customer service with them, just wasn’t exact fit. They gave me $500 and a new platform… it didn’t fit but we sanded it and made it work
Its been a while. It was for a boat that didnt have a stock platform. i ended up selling the firsat one they shipped, and when i got the $500 check, that basically paid for 60% of the platform.... it all woeld out, but pita.... with seeing the one on the 400, makes me feel good about trying it again.... i really dont like the support poles that are standard, i assume this mirroring stock, it wont need the extra supportshmmm... I'll bring that up to them ahead of time.
When did you purchase your platform?
Thanks for the heads up.
Its been a while. It was for a boat that didnt have a stock platform. i ended up selling the firsat one they shipped, and when i got the $500 check, that basically paid for 60% of the platform.... it all woeld out, but pita.... with seeing the one on the 400, makes me feel good about trying it again.... i really dont like the support poles that are standard, i assume this mirroring stock, it wont need the extra supports
edit- as i look for pics of 360,380,400 there isnt any. On the 340 from our era, it does have the extra support posts