swim platform adhesive

[chambers1517]

I have a Caravelle Interceptor 232. The swim platform was loose so I removed to repair. There was a thick bead of adhesive between the boat and platform that had pulled loose on the boat in places and on the platform in places. It was about 3/8" thick. I am ready to reinstall the platform but dont know what adhesive to use. Anything thin won't fill the gap and will run down. I think I heard construction adhesives require some pressure. What to use?

 

[crabby captain john]

Re: swim platform adhesive

I tube of 3 M 5200. A tube that fits in a caulk gun, make the bead as big as you want.

 

[chambers1517]

Re: swim platform adhesive

Thanks. I thought about that and then started wondering if Marine Tex putty would work better.

 

[crabby captain john]

Re: swim platform adhesive

If you want it there forever ~~ six10 epoxy from West Marine. As you had a problem there is the possibility of another so I'd use 5200.

 

[OllieC]

Re: swim platform adhesive

If the gap is big, won't 5200 run? It was running when I used it to fill the holes in my transom when I mounted the transducer….

 

[Thalasso]

Re: swim platform adhesive

The diff between 4200 and 5200 is 5200 is an adhesive and hard if not impossible to get off if need be. Both are a sealant for use below the water line. 4200 is less forgiving

Your caulking a seam. Not trying to make things water tight. It has to be able to flex.

Use this

Boatlife Marine Silicone Rubber can be used to seal thru hulls, ports, hatches, and windows to fiberglass, wood, and metal. Marine Silicone Rubber is an all purpose, non-corrosive, non-yellowing, low-odor 100% marine high quality silicone sealant.

Boatlife Marine Silicone Rubber becomes tack free in 30 minutes or less. Properly applied, it will come to a full cure in 24 hours. Use above or below the waterline. Will not shrink, crack or dry out. Makes an ideal bedding compound above the waterline.

 

[smokeonthewater]

Re: swim platform adhesive

use 4200... 5200 will run.

You're just filling a gap to make it pretty, not holding back the ocean...

 

[chambers1517]

Re: swim platform adhesive

Thanks for the replies. Actually I am trying to adhere the platform to the boat. Caravelle used some type of epoxy. The stuff was hard as concrete and actuall pulled gelcoat off when it seperated. 5200 would give a little flex which may be a good thing but the factory meant no movement. I bought the boat and have been doing repairs. I think it was used in the ocean. The swim platform was loose and the seat pedistals were bent backwards. I tried to benb them back but there was no way. I ended up replaceing the pedistals. The previous owner must have been pretty rough. I boat on a smooth lake and the boat will have an easy life. I think the platform came loose from abuse. I put a 1" bead of 5200 on the platform and put the platform in place. I let the 5200 cur and then I pulled the platform away just to get an idea of how strong the 5200 was. It was pretty strong wit a lot of stretch. Maybe going the whole 8' width of the boat will make it incredibly strong or should I just use the six10 and be done. I want a permanant bond to the boat.

 

[airdvr1227]

Re: swim platform adhesive

No thru bolts...just adhesive?

 

[Starcraft5834]

Re: swim platform adhesive

Thru bolts on mine.......adhesive over that...

 

[chambers1517]

Re: swim platform adhesive

The way it is mounted is there are two brackets bolted through the transom that the platform bolts to close to the boat. There are 4 braces bolted to the boat that attach toward the back of the platform. The platform is also attached with adhesive to the boat. Without the adhesive the platform will still hold weight but it flexes away from the boat due the the 4 braces that are at a 45 degree angle putting outward pressure on the platform. The brackets at the transom are bolted to the platform with 4 1/4" bolts. 2 per bracket and the 45 degree braces put side load on these bolts. I would be afraid that 2 big guys on the platform may break the fiberglass at these bolts.

 

[Thalasso]

Re: swim platform adhesive

You need to find a way to bolt the platform edge through the transom

 

[Scott Danforth]

Re: swim platform adhesive

use 3M 5200 fast cure (it sags less than regular 5200).

 

[UncleWillie]

Re: swim platform adhesive

The bolts and the hardware support the load.
The sealant is only there to seal up the bolt holes and make the seam look pretty.
You should not be expecting the sealant to support the load.

 

[smokeonthewater]

Re: swim platform adhesive

the bolts and the hardware support the load.
The sealant is only there to seal up the bolt holes and make the seam look pretty.
You should not be expecting the sealant to support the load.

this^^^^^

 

[chambers1517]

Re: swim platform adhesive

I'll try and get a picture. The brackets at the front of the swim platform are basically 2 3" square plates at 45 degrees of each other with about a piece of 3" flat stock connecting them. They bolt to the boat several inches below the platform. The 4 braces are just tubes with flat ends bolted to the boat and platform at about a 45 degree angle. The braces hold the rear of the platform up but when weight is applied they push the platform away from the boat. The 4 1/4" bolts through the platform and through the front brackets are all that hold the platform against the boat without adhesive. There are no bolt holes where the platform is next to the boat.

 

[smokeonthewater]

Re: swim platform adhesive

That's how they ALL go on

the ONLY purpose of the bead of sealant (NOT adhesive) is to keep water from bubbling up onto the platform while idling and to make it look prettier

And of course the bolts are sealed w 5200

 

[smokeonthewater]

Re: swim platform adhesive

Here's mine

 

[UncleWillie]

Re: swim platform adhesive

The way it is mounted is there are Two Brackets bolted through the transom that the platform bolts to...

I think the issue is that there is supposed to be more than TWO brackets.
Four or more would be expected. :joyous:

 

[smokeonthewater]

Re: swim platform adhesive

oops yeah missed the TWO part... MAYBE caravelle did intend for it to be bonded structurally... if so it was a bad move on their part....

Well either way, 5200 is WAY strong.... it will likely rip off your gelcoat if the platform gets pulled away.... I guess we'll look forward to your pics