Broken weld on cabin/salon step

[Mtshain]

Good afternoon,

The weld on the bottom step is cracking on both sides. These are the steps going from the cockpit down to the cabin/salon. Have a 2005 Sea Ray 300 Sundancer. Located in SE Michigan, freshwater boat.

My question is has anyone else encountered welds cracking on these steps? And also what is all involved in removing the whole support/steps to be repaired at a weld shop? Or has anyone chanced having a mobile welder fix on the boat itself? What was the approximate repair cost?

 

[Chillaxin']

I have "had" a broken weld on my '02 300. The P.O. had it repaired and added an additional brace.

I'll try and remember to take a pic tomorrow if I get my boat back from a pair transom assemblies replacement.

 

[Blueone]

Good afternoon,

The weld on the bottom step is cracking on both sides. These are the steps going from the cockpit down to the cabin/salon. Have a 2005 Sea Ray 300 Sundancer. Located in SE Michigan, freshwater boat.

My question is has anyone else encountered welds cracking on these steps? And also what is all involved in removing the whole support/steps to be repaired at a weld shop? Or has anyone chanced having a mobile welder fix on the boat itself? What was the approximate repair cost?

That’s what is called a cold weld….which means no penetration. Is it causing any problems?….if not, I wouldn’t do anything.

to fix it because both sides are cold….you would have to remove….grind down both sides re-weld and powder coat…big expense for a crack

 

[Mtshain]

That’s what is called a cold weld….which means no penetration. Is it causing any problems?….if not, I wouldn’t do anything.

to fix it because both sides are cold….you would have to remove….grind down both sides re-weld and powder coat…big expense for a crack

Yes the step is starting to show integrity issues compared to its counterparts. Definitely a lot more movement/give than the other two which are not cracked.
Obviously it’s no big deal to pop out the few screws on the bottom bracket however it looks more involved removing the top as I’m not sure how it is attached.

 

[Wanderer 290]

Remove the bracket and prep for repair by grinding out old weld and surrounding area. Re-weld and add gussets followed by light sand the entire bracket and spray paint to your desired finish.

 

[Fill Ess]

Funny ---- someone else just posted the exact same question a couple days ago in the dedicated 300 forum. I thought it was you but it looks to be a different boat. What are the odds ???

I know the right thing to do would be to pull the stairs, fix the welds properly and re-paint them. But it is quite a job once you pull the top trim around the door and everything. Since it's the bottom step, is there another way to brace it from underneath without having to pull the stairs?

 

[DaleM]

I had a weld break on the bottom step on our 340 - same situation. I removed it and took it a local welding shop who fixed it. I then took the step to Home Depot and had them "shoot" the color to something close enough - then used one of those little spray bottle kits to touch it up. I couldn't figure out any other way to brace it other than putting a "DO NOT STEP" note on it. As you mentioned yes it's a pain because you have to remove the trim around the door. The bolt access to the step is in the void behind that. It simply rests on the floor and is held in with wood screws that are accessed under the trim ring. Remove the screws that holds the various plastic trim pieces in place and the door sill and get them out of the way. For whatever reason my door trim had wood screws holding it in place that were somehow wrapped behind the vinyl itself. There weren't any of those little round 'plugs' hiding them. I had to use a very thin hack saw to cut through the screws by prying the wooden framed trim away so I could sort of see the screws. I reinstalled the trim with long strips of industrial hook and loop with the sticky-tape back. It's held up with no issue. At least if I have to get in that void again I can remove the trim by just carefully pulling it lose. My assumption is that is how they get in there to install the drop-down TV that is an option for the aft-bed area. The welding shop charged me like $20 to fix. The largest expense was my time.