Going to drill holes in my boat.....

:grin:
 
Send a PM to Wakeup II ...I think he put one on. Also I believe there is a thread on here somewhere with pics of somebody else putting one on....I wish you would have put "installing swim platform" in your title...would help getting the right eyes on this thread...good luck.
 
I had the dealer put the swimplatforms.com platform on my 1999. In my case, the instructions were not accurate as to where the holes should have been drilled. The dealer called and Scott was very helpful but double check before you drill...
 
Depending on the bolt size(anything over 1/2) I'd use a forstner bit
 
I've put on a couple.

Measure carefully, counter-sink gelcoat, use lots of sealant, and use the anti-sieze.
 
I love the blue hull. Please post pictures when you are done. Good luck.
 
So when you guys drill a hole in your transom, and given there is some sort of core material in the thing, do you drill a bigger hole and epoxy the hole and re-drill the hole for the bolts or do you just assume the sealant will hold for the life of the boat?
 
we just drill. What could go wrong?
 
As far as mounting goes, I had myself and 3 other guys, because at a boat club everyone is curious and helpful. I used 2 jackstands to hold it in place. Make sure it is nice and tight and double check your serial numbers to make sure they are not covered. Once it is in position start to drill. I used either 4200 or 5200, whichever scott recommends, and have one man inside and one outside. I did one side then the other then the middle. then I put a couple thru the old platform and used a pipe with a wrench taped to it to grap hold of the bolts. Used plenty of 5200 and anit sieze. My platform did not have support bars. 92 300 dancer. Total install time was 2.5-3 hours and a (case of beer for onlookers and helpers) Best investment I ever made for the boat. I can fit 2 chairs and throw my rib on it flat (use a piece of carpet on the platform to avoid scratches) with the motor on it. NO Davits. It is much safer as well to cover the outdrives and I didn't notice a big loss of speed or planing power at all. Good luck , I know you will enjoy it!
 
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Also one quick thing be sure you move the harness on the transom if you and anything else that may get in the way of the bit on the inside of the boat. I just missed some wires. Also the person in the bilge needs to be thin and wirey.
 
I would swab a penetrating epoxy on the hole walls for extra protection against rot if you have any water entrapment. I doubt you need to worry about bedding with epoxy unless you have a hollow area on the core.
 
Four Suns said:
So when you guys drill a hole in your transom, and given there is some sort of core material in the thing, do you drill a bigger hole and epoxy the hole and re-drill the hole for the bolts or do you just assume the sealant will hold for the life of the boat?
Click to expand...

:smt038 You beat me to it.
 
I'd go a step farther and sleeve the holes with epoxied brass tubing if I had a boat that nice and new. :grin:
 
Gary, good point, but remember Sea Ray only uses sealant adhesive on the factory platforms. Also removing the core and back-filling with epoxy can fail, too. I used the method 240da mentioned: several apllications of Git Rot followed by 4200. I do this anytime I go through core.
 
Conch
If you don't mind my asking, why are you putting a platform on? I see from SR's website archives that your boat came with an integrated swim platform. Is this an extended platform?

This is a pretty ambitious job. It'd be great if you did a sort of photo-documentation of it as you go.

1996328_14.jpg
http://media.channelblade.com/boat_graphics/electronic_brochure/company17472/81082_p_t_640x480
 
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