Adding swim platform

[Dogdays99]

Hi. I bought a 2000 23se last summer and really enjoyed the boat. This forum has been great for reading about helping fellow owners. A question—my wife would like to make the boat easier to swim from and it doesn’t have a swim platform. Any recommendations for swim platforms? Do I contact Parker or is there aftermarket? I would like to get it installed this winter while boat is pulled.
Thanks in advance.

 

[warthog5]

No.... Just buy a quality unit.....Also.....Do NOT lag bolt it to the transom....Thru bolt it.

This will mean drilling holes thru.....Being able to get to the back side and sealing the transom core properly.

Yea....I know.." But Lag bolting is so easy." Wait till a heavy family member or neighbor climbs up on it and it falls apart.....I've seen it many times.

 

[jpg1969]

Here's what the factory installs/installed although there are likely cheaper options available. For your year, the color was fish white.
https://www.boatoutfitters.com/outboard-swim-platform-with-2-step-ladder

 

[Ahstank]

Old thread I know but am adding a swim ladder shortly. I am going to be able to through bolt it to my '04 21se. Quick question when referring to "sealing the transom core properly" does applying 5200 inside prior to bolting seal the transom? It will be well above water line have it sit an inch above top of trim tab base. I hate drilling into the boat and love the clean transom! But the 3 year old will want to swim more this year, as will my fat butt. thanks!

 

[afitzray]

Old thread I know but am adding a swim ladder shortly. I am going to be able to through bolt it to my '04 21se. Quick question when referring to "sealing the transom core properly" does applying 5200 inside prior to bolting seal the transom? It will be well above water line have it sit an inch above top of trim tab base. I hate drilling into the boat and love the clean transom! But the 3 year old will want to swim more this year, as will my fat butt. thanks!

The proper, long-term solution to seal the drilled holes is to coat the insides with epoxy resin. You can buy west systems pouches on amazon that are small amounts already measured out- perfect for some bolt holes.

Some will say 5200 would work but once things are bolted up you can't always 100% see the seal you hopefully created around each hole so water intrusion is a real possibility. If you epoxy the holes then you know they're sealed, and the 5200 is then acting as a supplement to the bolts, as well as providing the seal so you don't have water sitting between the platform and the transom.

Also, for a swim step I would use 4000UV instead of 5200. It's meant for above the water line so it's UV stable, and it still seals it the same and has adhesive properties, but won't tear off gelcoat and fiberglass if you ever have to remove the swim step for some reason like 5200 will.

 

[Ahstank]

Thank you so much @afitzray great advice, will pick up both. Pouches make it super simple. I'm in no rush so can drill, make sure bolts and hardware work, apply epoxy resin, wait a day+ and install ladder with 4000uv. Or would you epoxy resin and then 4000uv right on top, i think not.

I agree with you while 5200 should seal it, how do you know, with vibration, use and age its bound to open up if it wasnt already.

Would rather do it right the first time!

 

[warthog5]

You wait on the epoxy ... Give it a day or overnight.

 

[Bodick93]

I will never use 4000 uv. I used it twice and it made it less that 2 years both times. Once on my 2005 Sea Pro, and once on the gunwale seam on my 2320. Use 5200. If it was an outboard, that's one thing, but you are talking about 4 small pads. Just because it is made for permanent applications doesn't MAKE the applications permanent. Do it right, once. The sealant won't see UV, but you want the sealant to be part of the mounting system, and you want maximum strength with sealing. If you ever want to take it off, just apply debond and use plastic putty knives and a little patience. Do use the red labeled Fast Cure. 4200 at least. Use a little extra so it just squishes out, the clean with a rag dampened with mineral spirits.
The guys that hate it on here remove old stuff/replace with new for a living, and I understand that too. Parker uses it at the hull to gunwale joint, and a swim platform is no less permanent than that.