400 express cruiser swim step weight limit?

[bajasurf]

I have a '96 400 Express Cruiser. we're wanting to put a Rosskelly/Olsson transom davit for my 11' AB hardshell/15hp Honda. total dinghy weight 350 lbs. Davit is 100lbs. does anyone know what the weight limit (safe) for putting a davit/dinghy on the swim step??

 

[Air O'Nautical]

I don't have an answer to your question..

But, I'm guessing that's too much weight to confidently stow on a 400EC swim step.
Think about being in a rough sea and the shock loads.

If your going to do it, consider adding large diameter stainless steel struts under the platform running back to the boats transom and increasing the struture inside the boat that the bolts go through. The access to the platform bolts from the inside is tough due to the 100 gallon water tank sitting in your way.

Might also require larger trim tabs??....is towing an option or a lighter dink to travel with?

The impossible just takes a little longer..

Good luck,
Mark.

 

[fwebster]

Thee 400EC was not designed for a platform load. We've had 2 of them in our area with the transom literally peeled off the hull due to installing various aftermarket dinghy lifts. If you wish to pursue this, contact Sea Ray customer service and ask for help in figuring the loads, the additional support needed, and the placement for transom knees, etc.

 

[HUMPH]

My 410 had that setup when I purchased it. The problem was, to do it correctly, they had to transfer the load away from the platform so they cut through the transom locker door, through the bottom of the locker into the engine room. There was (and still is) a large SS bracket that it attached to mounted to the transom. This also attached to the stringers for the final bracing. I removed all of it as I like to be able to use my swim platform and those davits took up virtually the entire thing. I can post pictures later.

 

[Sans Souci]

Thee 400EC was not designed for a platform load. We've had 2 of them in our area with the transom literally peeled off the hull due to installing various aftermarket dinghy lifts. If you wish to pursue this, contact Sea Ray customer service and ask for help in figuring the loads, the additional support needed, and the placement for transom knees, etc.

I agree with HUMPH. I replaced OEM step swim platform with a flat designed platform and added a Hurley H30. Both designed for the boat and installed by a fiberglass house.

 

[Stee6043]

I agree with HUMPH. I replaced OEM step swim platform with a flat designed platform and added a Hurley H30. Both designed for the boat and installed by a fiberglass house. View attachment 108570 View attachment 108573

Cool pics but you just responded to an eight (8) year old post!

Did you not get any support struts added when your new platform was installed?

 

[Sans Souci]

Cool pics but you just responded to an eight (8) year old post!

Did you not get any support struts added when your new platform was installed?

oops, didn't see the date stamp. Platform built for the the weight. Attached 8 places on the transom.

 

[Stee6043]

oops, didn't see the date stamp. Platform built for the the weight. Attached 8 places on the transom.

Yeah...the platform is probably good for 10,000lbs but that transom it's attached to isn't quite as robust

I contacted Sea Ray when I installed my new platform this year. A '97 400DA is rated for 600lbs on the transom, I assume the express is the same/similar. I'd be mildly concerned with my setup were it not for the four support struts that were also added. You've got 200+ pounds of platform and 100lbs of H3O out there before you add the dinghy. That eats up a lot of your 600lbs of rated capacity...

But your mileage may vary. Happy boating!

 

[Carpediem44DB]

A mid 90s 370DA stopped by our marina last weekend and I noticed that they had a Nick Jackson davit the aft edge of a bolt on fiberglass platform with an alarming at least 2 inch droop in the center of it. They had an 11 foot Center console rib with 30hp outboard, had to weigh at least 450lbs. That boat needs a couple of support struts for sure. I struck up a conversation with the owner, he is not a CSR member, actually never heard of the forum. I kept my observation to myself and I hope he doesn't suffer a catastrophic failure. He was down all the way from Sacramento and said he has had the boat for years so........