Swim Step/Ladder

[VanillaGorilla]

Hey guys. I recently bought a boat that has a swim step on the rear, left side. I believe the step was installed by the previous owner because some of the mounting hardware is now rusting (stainless was not used for all bolts, etc) and he caulked the hell out of it (overdone). Anyway, after using the step heavily this past weekend, I noticed it is starting to pull loose from the transom. So I'm looking for some advice on what I should do to fix this. Does anyone have any experience with PROPERLY installing a swim step? Should there be "backing plates" on the inside of the transom that the bolts tap into? If so, there are none being used ... they thread straight into the fiberglass ... and I don't know that I can get to all of the bolt locations. Thanks for any advice you can give me.

 

[quantumleap]

Re: Swim Step/Ladder

Yes they should be thru bolted and use backing plates with all stainless hardware. You may have to have someone help you to install all the hardware and nuts on the back side. Using socket extensions w/swivels may make the job easier. Make sure to use nylok nuts so they don't loosen up in the future and use 3M 4200 or 5200 to seal the holes.

 

[VanillaGorilla]

Re: Swim Step/Ladder

Thanks Quantumleap. I started working on this last night. I found that the dude who installed it used some sort of "spreading" inserts that go into the transom. The bolts thread into them and they spread open inside the transom. The inserts are not stainless and have been corroding. Now I'm worried that water has been entering the transom through these holes. The boat is a 2002 Sea Pro 190 Walkaround. Does anyone know if the transom has wood in it? I was only told that it is a "high density composite transom". Also, I can get to 2 of the bolts from the backside ... but the other 2 are nowhere to be seen. What should I do about these? Thanks for the help!

 

[quantumleap]

Re: Swim Step/Ladder

I would seal it up well composite or not. The other two may be just screwed into the transom. Remove it and you will find out. If the holes go all the way thru, put a bright light in front of the holes on the outside at night and look inside for the light. Good luck.

 

[VanillaGorilla]

Re: Swim Step/Ladder

I did a full check for the bolt holes that I can't get to. One of them is so low on the transom, that it runs right into a stringer (I think it's a stringer ... large structural piece that runs lengthwise). The other is down in the port rear corner and is covered by foam. It's hard to get to since we're talking about the inner hull ... but I might be able to get to it if I start digging out some foam. Is this ok to do? As for the other bolt, Is it possible to fill the hole, re-drill and use a self-tapping bolt/screw (like a large woodscrew or something similar)? I really feel helpless concerning these 2 bolts ... and I want to do the job right. Thanks again for the advice guys.

 

[quantumleap]

Re: Swim Step/Ladder

Keep in mind that the bulk of the stress and leverage will be placed on the upper two holes, so you should be alright if you back those with metal properly. If you can access the one bottom one I would certainly try to. You can always re-foam over it. The one that runs int the stringer could be lag-bolted into the stringer, but I would make extra, extra sure that all are sealed properly based on their location. Normally I would never recommend drilling into the stringer, but since the hole is already there, going a bit deeper is better than re drilling and filling it. I would bed them with 4200 and then add another small coating around the bases after it is installed. Once again, make sure all hardware including the lag bolt is stainless. Good luck.

 

[VanillaGorilla]

Re: Swim Step/Ladder

Thanks Quantumleap ... your advice has helped immensely. I'll let you know how the repair goes.

 

[VanillaGorilla]

Re: Swim Step/Ladder

Hey Quantamleap ... did the repair ... came out real nice. I had to drill through my baitwell however ... to install a backing plate on one of the bolts. So after I put some fiberglass cloth on that and shape it up a bit, I'll be closing the book on this one. Thanks again for the help!!!