Drilling lots of holes in the boat tomorrow

[Debt-icated]

I just unloaded my new swim platform off the truck today.... Tomorrow i will be installing it. The instructions call for 10 holes in the back of the transom... Fun times!! Wish me luck

 

[Nehalennia]

good luck. Did you buy a forstner bit?

 

[Debt-icated]

Funny that you mention that... Headin to the hardware store tonight afterwork to get some last minute supplies including a Forstner Bit (couple of sizes) and some 3M 5200. I will make sure and take some pictures...

 

[Nehalennia]

Have fun. Buy some extra latex gloves for the 5200....trust me.

 

[Tail Chaser 661]

I would rethink using the 5200
If you ever need to pull the swimstep in the future.
You may delam the glass trying to get if off.
The 4200 is more forgiving.

 

[Vince_nj1]

You might want to this first. Also, make sure you wear a dust mask and long sleaves.

http://clubsearay.com/forum/showpost.php?p=143179&postcount=31

I installed a a new transducer over the winter and didn't follow all of the steps described in the above link. I followed the transducer's installation instructions which only called for a sealant (I used 5200), a gasket and tightening up the nuts. I am keeping my fingers crossed that I don't have a leak.

 

[Fetch ND]

You guys are lucky - My family won't let me drill nothing

All I want is a down rigger & 4 or 6 rod holders & a couple fish finders

I think they threw all my drills and bits in the lake :smt009

 

[boatmailster]

I would rethink using the 5200
If you ever need to pull the swimstep in the future.
You may delam the glass trying to get if off.
The 4200 is more forgiving.

More forgiving - yes, but there is a big chance that it will start leak around bolts and you end up with wet transom. There is too much stress on swim platform to take a risk and use 4200. (hitting swim platform while docking, people walking on it, dragging while "on plane"). If it ever needs to be removed - plan on spending some money on fiberglass repair (use piano wire to cut sealant to minimize damage)

 

[Tail Chaser 661]

You guys are lucky - My family won't let me drill nothing

All I want is a down rigger & 4 or 6 rod holders & a couple fish finders

I think they threw all my drills and bits in the lake :smt009

Tell them the fishfinder is a depths sounder.
It will keep you from running into a really big submerged rock. Making a really useless hole in your boat.

 

[Tail Chaser 661]

More forgiving - yes, but there is a big chance that it will start leak around bolts and you end up with wet transom. There is too much stress on swim platform to take a risk and use 4200. (hitting swim platform while docking, people walking on it, dragging while "on plane"). If it ever needs to be removed - plan on spending some money on fiberglass repair (use piano wire to cut sealant to minimize damage)

Not a good thing...
But the factory swimstep on my boat had no sealer at all.:smt009
My swimstep was held on very tight with only nine srews. No water intrusion at all. probably due to being a AZ boat at the time.
So the srews hold the step on tight. Not from adhesive. Per Sea Ray:huh:
I used 3M 4200 as sealer/adhesive for waterproofing/preventive maintaince on my stock swimstep.
After all, this is above the waterline.
4200 is for below the waterline also.

I just got a quote from www.swimplatforms.com
They recomend 3M 4200 on there huge swimsteps.
I'm sure glad I did not use 5200 on my stock swimstep.

If I upgrade to a bigger step.
Risking riping the glass/gelcoat off my stern would be a really bum deal. I.M.H.O.

I just pass on any good info I find out on my researchs.
Sometimes it may payoff to have more info on making your decisions.
Then to just follow the trend, and blindly do what other people may have done.

 

[Go Aweigh2452]

5200 is not that hard to remove. Use it all the time vice the 4200. Use either one on every screw however. I've cut dozens of holes in my boat... I'm shocked your original swim step had zero sealant... Very lucky you did not get any water intrusion...:thumbsup:

 

[Sundancer]

I just unloaded my new swim platform off the truck today.... Tomorrow i will be installing it. The instructions call for 10 holes in the back of the transom... Fun times!! Wish me luck

Pictures! We want to see pictures! Shows us the holes and the complete installation!! I'd volunteer to help, but I'm sure you are done by now!! :grin:

 

[boatmailster]

Not a good thing...
But the factory swimstep on my boat had no sealer at all.:smt009
My swimstep was held on very tight with only nine srews. No water intrusion at all. probably due to being a AZ boat at the time.
So the srews hold the step on tight. Not from adhesive. Per Sea Ray:huh:
I used 3M 4200 as sealer/adhesive for waterproofing/preventive maintaince on my stock swimstep.
After all, this is above the waterline.
4200 is for below the waterline also.

I just got a quote from www.swimplatforms.com
They recomend 3M 4200 on there huge swimsteps.
I'm sure glad I did not use 5200 on my stock swimstep.

If I upgrade to a bigger step.
Risking riping the glass/gelcoat off my stern would be a really bum deal. I.M.H.O.

I just pass on any good info I find out on my researchs.
Sometimes it may payoff to have more info on making your decisions.
Then to just follow the trend, and blindly do what other people may have done.

May work good for swim steps, but I wouldn't trust it too much to install big swim platform bolted to transom, but it is me, and yes I've seen boats in our marina where transom had to be redone, because balsa got wet from leaks around swim platform mounting bolts.

 

[Tail Chaser 661]

Good thing about 5200. Once its on. Its there to stay.
I just used a full chaulking gun tube on my boat today.
Bonded the hull to the deck together at the stern.
I had already glassed the hull and deck together on port/starboard sides.
I'm using epoxy primer an deck paint instead of carpet on the sides.
Fully waterproof, And easy clean up.
Decided to make the boat stronger since the carpet was out.
I needed a smoother surface for painting also.

No chance of me ever wanting to split the deck from the hull.
I would like to change out the rub rail insert though.

 

[Debt-icated]

Well I got the Platform put on and really like the way it turned out.

 

[Go Aweigh2452]

Looks great! So did you use 5200 or what? Make sure you check the stanchions screws and bolts once in a while to ensure no stress has loosened up the swim step...

 

[NorCal Boater]

Nice job! You are going to love it.

 

[Jack F]

That looks great, I want one for mine.

 

[Debt-icated]

Looks great! So did you use 5200 or what? Make sure you check the stanchions screws and bolts once in a while to ensure no stress has loosened up the swim step...

Yes i did use the 5200. it was what Scott and Ron from Swimplatforms reccommended. I will say after working with that stuff, that is is really nasty!! I ended up drilling 14 holes in the boat, and 4 are below the water line. I will be checking everything very often to make sure of no water intrusion.

Thanks for the nice comments!

 

[Nehalennia]

Nice Work D-I
Looks great and you will love that thing on a hot summer day.