Swim platform problem for a 1998 40' Dancer

[dshuskey]

I have a 1998 - 40' Dancer. I have a problem with the underside of the swim platform where it bolts to the transom. The gel coat is delaminating from the glass. Has anyone had this problem, and have a good repair strategy?

 

[jgoedd99]

There has been some cracking at the vertical ribs (a vertical crack where the rib meets the transom) discussed on CSR in 370s and 380s from around that time. Can you post a picture?

 

[dshuskey]

I have enclosed a photo! There are no cracks, just delamination of gel coat.

 

[quality time]

No help but there is a 40 in my area experiencing the same problem but 10x worse...

Was the waterline never painted up under the platform?

 

[fwebster]

The gelcoat is mostly cosmetic and can be easily repaired by sanding, feathering the peeling edge then brushing on new gelcoat. The braces and the edge of the platform have wooden coring so any spots that are weeping brown stains need to be ground out then filled with thickened epoxy before applying new gelcoat. Look carefully for any separation between the layers of fiberglass along the bottom and rear edges and fix them with thickened epoxy as well.

This isn't what you asked, but you probably need to figure out why the boat sits so low in the stern.

 

[Skuza]

That don't look good. Looks like water is "wicking" up in the platform due to being constantly submerged. I noticed you have diesels which will make it sit lower but that seems extreme.
The proper fix would probably be to remove the swim platform for repairs. If the platform is holding water that will add weight but don't think it should pull the stern down that far. Do you store a tender or jetski on the back?

 

[dshuskey]

Thanks for the input. I spent some time cleaning and scraping today. I drilled small holes up into the wood core on the braces at the transom, no water. I also took moisture readings, and it is dry. So, I think I can do the sanding and gel coat as suggested. The lower edge of the platform only sits about an inch in the water, so I think it is at the proper depth considering the deisels. Thanks again for your help, Shore Thing

 

[Glen S]

I have to agree with the other comments regards how low in the water she is sitting. You must be at least 3" lower in the water at the stern than we are with our 400 DA. We have antifouling up to the bottom of the swim platform and we can always see the black paint - even fully loaded with the dingy on the swim platform. I can't believe the diesels would pull her down that much more. If we sat thal low in the stern my exhaust ourlets and part of the waterline stripes would be under water. Are you carrying extra equipment in the ER or a PWC on the swim platform?

 

[cpt. sundancer]

Whatever pulled you out off the water,looks like the inside tire walls are shot, lucky they didnt blow. :smt009

 

[quality time]

The bottom of my platform is painted to where the scum line is on yours. I actually need to raise my waterline, fully loaded with diesel and no water in the bow tank and mine is at or under water on the back corners.

 

[dshuskey]

I don't carry anything heavy on the swim platform, inflatable hull dingy and small outboard. I carry nothing extra in the engine room. I don't know how much weight the deisels add over gas, but I do know that the cat's weight 1,600 lbs. each. I can't find the weight on 7.4 Merc's. I am guessing something under 1,000 ea. ?

I have heard from another owner with diesel's, and they confirmer theirs sits about where mine does. Anyways, I think after I get the gelcoat repaired, I will epoxy over that for the lowest 3" or so, and then extend my bottom paint up and under the platform a like height. Hopefully, that will solve things.

By the way, I have recently seen other like age Sea Rays of varying size, with similiar delamination problems. I'm convinced it is a flaw in the design of the application.

Thanks for the help, and comments
Shore Thing