Reinforce swimstep-gctid359538

[Sunnydude]

I am in the process of switching my 15hp 2 stroke motor to a 20hp 4 stroke. Weight difference is 40# not including the additional 25# for the battery. Last year I noticed that my swimstep was starting to flex where the rear Weaver davit head is attached (via arc). Thought of having some additional material about a foot long glassed in on the underside to disperse the weight. Thoughts?

Thanks.

[SomeSailor]

Why not add additional stainless support risers?

[kwb]

Sunnydude wrote:
I am in the process of switching my 15hp 2 stroke motor to a 20hp 4 stroke. Weight difference is 40# not including the additional 25# for the battery. Last year I noticed that my swimstep was starting to flex where the rear Weaver davit head is attached (via arc). Thought of having some additional material about a foot long glassed in on the underside to disperse the weight. Thoughts?

Thanks.

Not so much is needed to distribute the weight of the dink but you need more geometry - moment of inertia. I don't think you can get there from here by just adding glass to underside of the step. I would add another stainless support tube and share one of the fasteners with the base of your davit. Just be sure to install it when the weight of the dink is off of it and possibly even put a bit of preload in it if you can.

[Uncle_Bob]

While at it, chances are that the screws, yes screws not bolts, that fasten the swim grid supports at the transom are loose and should be rebedded or perhaps relocated.

[Broker Warren]

I added an original style tubular stainless support on each side outboard of the original factory supports. Wow, what a difference in stiffness! I also replaced all the thru transom fasteners with oversized bolts and washers. Be sure to tie new supports into your bonding system. All was very easy and inexpensive.

[Guest]

...AND make sure that the new supports are appropriately bonded. If not you will be doing again very soon. Don't ask me how I know.

As others have said check other supports and fasteners. If at all possible I would highly consider replacing the originals and then over-build them a bit. The ones that came off of ours were very thin hauteur material.

Christopher

[Guest]

Hey Sean, Check out our reinforced swim platform on N-row - two extra tubes stiffen it up nicely. Regards, Doug S.

[LTCret]

I also added two extra spts. Basically the same process that Broker Warren describes. I also added strength to the swim step with a piece of starboard under the swim step under each davit area. I am carrying a 10 ft Noverania, 6 gal tank of gas, center council steering , and a 25 horse electric start Mercury. A seawise lift.

No problems.

[Sunnydude]

I added two supports yesterday to the swimstep. One is right next to the davit head in question. Definately firmed it up.

In the process I discovered the coring is wet. Will be pulling all the old ladder attachments and drying out and then pumping penetrating epoxy in there.

[Guest]

Sunnydude wrote:
I added two supports yesterday to the swimstep. One is right next to the davit head in question. Definately firmed it up.

In the process I discovered the coring is wet. Will be pulling all the old ladder attachments and drying out and then pumping penetrating epoxy in there.

I put a larger transom step on last year. It's about a foot deeper and as wide as the transom. Boaters Discount can do it for you. Huge improvement I think.

[Sunnydude]

Uncle Bob wrote:
While at it, chances are that the screws, yes screws not bolts, that fasten the swim grid supports at the transom are loose and should be rebedded or perhaps relocated.

As I was working on adding a fin to my outboard this weekend I noticed that I can see daylight between the mount and the transom on the port side. Time to pull the dinghy, replace the bolts and rebed.