G23 Swim platform ladder?

[Gtsum2]

The "other" brand is running a lot more ballast (5,000+) and think the engine is also mounted a little lower causing risers to be lower. Hydrolock is still only a risk if it sits with engine off for 10+ mins and the new models are programmed to start dumping ballast after 3mins of engine being off if ballast is left @ 100%

Thanks for the info! I’m learning a ton here and have pretty much leaned to a g23 now...small details and fit and finish on it vs some others just seem worth the extra cash imo


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[Paul W]

I called nautiqueparts about adding this, they said there is an embedded aluminum plate in the fiberglass that you will drill and screw into.....BUT my question is what length/depth are the lag bolts into the plate/platform without going through? Don't want to drill all the way through the platform but I also want to go in enough to get some threads to grip and hold. Anyone know how "thick" the platform is or how long these bolts are that hold the ladder in?

I just added the latter to my SAN 230 a few months ago. It works great and people really like it.
I used SS screws and I think they were 3/4" long. Drill one of the holes to check the depth. Once you go through the aluminum you will be able to check the screw length. I got the larger diameter size, not sure but might of been a #14 screw. Check the hole in the latter and put in a screw size to fill up that hole. Use a tap to make the treads in the aluminum since it pretty thick. Or I just used multiple drill bits and the last bit was just under the screw thread diameter. The screw then self taped itself in. Go to West Marine and get a sealant to seal off the hole when you put the screw in. The platform is hollow in places and you might a waterlogged platform if it leaks. Take your time making the treads. The screws can break off pretty easy.

[Rbt]

The "other" brand is running a lot more ballast (5,000+) and think the engine is also mounted a little lower causing risers to be lower. Hydrolock is still only a risk if it sits with engine off for 10+ mins and the new models are programmed to start dumping ballast after 3mins of engine being off if ballast is left @ 100%

I have never experienced this emptying of ballast after 3 minutes. Could you please elaborate on when this happens?

[Infinity]

I have never experienced this emptying of ballast after 3 minutes. Could you please elaborate on when this happens?

That statement is only relevant for the current Centurion models which is the "other" brand I was referring to when he mentioned the hydrolock issues earlier in the thread. (Looks like you have a G3, right? If so it would not happen on your boat).
The Centurion boats come stock with 5000+ of ballast (including Ramfill) and on some of the larger boats people were also adding an additional 1000lbs of lead. There were a couple instances where said people would not drain any ballast and float for an hour or so and after that could not start the boat due to hydrolock. Fineline started recommending that they take the 90 seconds needed to dump the 2500lbs of Ramfill ballast before floating but starting in the 2019 models added this safety feature where the boat will automatically drain off some of the PnP ballast if the boat sits with engine off for longer than 3 minutes.

[PapaBear]

That statement is only relevant for the current Centurion models which is the "other" brand I was referring to when he mentioned the hydrolock issues earlier in the thread. (Looks like you have a G3, right? If so it would not happen on your boat).
The Centurion boats come stock with 5000+ of ballast (including Ramfill) and on some of the larger boats people were also adding an additional 1000lbs of lead. There were a couple instances where said people would not drain any ballast and float for an hour or so and after that could not start the boat due to hydrolock. Fineline started recommending that they take the 90 seconds needed to dump the 2500lbs of Ramfill ballast before floating but starting in the 2019 models added this safety feature where the boat will automatically drain off some of the PnP ballast if the boat sits with engine off for longer than 3 minutes.

So is the water entering through the exhaust when sunk so deep? I answered confidently above but maybe don’t have all info. We cove out regularly for a couple hours fully ballasted and engine off in our 230. Do others think this is risky?


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[Infinity]

Yes, the exhaust outlets do not close, they just have a "flapper" at the outlet but that is simply to prevent water "rushing" up into the system when you come off throttle or if you were hit by a powerful wave at the transom. A fresh air exhaust would do the same thing, neither stops water from entering when at rest tho, water can still seep by the flapper and will find its own level.
I have not heard of it happening to Nautique boats but it really depends on how much ballast you are carrying. If you are close to stock, I would say the chances are slim to none if there are no other malfunctions. If you are well over stock on ballast then perhaps you would have reason to worry. (I have a Centurion SV244 with Ramfill and all the pro PnP bags, including my 500lbs of lead, I have 4900lbs of ballast and have never had any issue).

The core issue is where do the exhaust risers sit in relation to the water level when your boat is full of ballast? Look at that next time and you will know the level of risk you are running. The only boats I know of this happening too were running over 6000lbs of ballast and to compound the issue, the engine is mounted lower which results in the exhaust risers being lower which is what caused the issue.

Disclaimer.....I am not an expert and am not saying it cant happen to other boats, just happen to have read all the threads when the hydrolock happened to the first couple boats as well as the Advisory that Fineline put out about how to prevent it from happening.

Here is the statement that was put out:
Passive Hydrolock is when water is siphoned through the boat’s exhaust system, enters a cylinder in the engine and results in a non-start. This is possible on any marine vessel powered by a combustible engine with exhaust risers that sit below the water line. Once the boat is run and the engine heated, if it is allowed to sit for over 5-10 minutes of “cool” time without emptying the ballast or while the exhaust risers remain below the water line the potential for Passive Hydrolock exists. When the exhaust risers are allowed to sit below the waterline during the engine cooling process it is possible water can siphon through the exhaust system into an open cylinder causing a non-start.

The solution is very simple! Make it a rule that if you are shutting down for over 5-10 minutes to swim and play, empty your rear ballast first. Centurion makes it extremely easy if you own a boat equipped with RAMFILL! Take 90 seconds and drain off the RAMFILL tanks if you are going to sit for over 5-10 minutes. If you are merely swapping out riders it is not necessary to drain your tanks. If your boat is not equipped with RAMFILL and equipped with pumps, simply drain off the rear bags or tanks before shutting down.

Don’t let this ruin your day /weekend /vacation !

Be smart and be educated .

[PapaBear]

Good info, thanks. I’m inclined to think it’s probably not a risk with my setup, but I’ll look closely at the levels of the water line vs the exhaust risers next time I’m out.


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[XBIGPUN66]

We sit sacked out for hours at the tie up and have never had an issue. 210.

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