Recommendation for flush mount hardware for swim ladder mounting.

[biacs]

Initially amounted my swim ladder(same letter model as factory uses) through the old factory gray nonskid.

I’m installing Sea deck and I want to go to something perfectly flat. Am I OK to just run Phillips head with no washer? I do just worry about weight distribution when people come up the ladder to prevent cracking.

I also added washers initially. I just wasn’t sure how much strain would be put on the fiberglass.

Are folks aware of any particular specialty fastener I could order?




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[Kenboat]

What model and year boat?
Are you mounting the ladder as a replacement to the factory ladder or mounting it to the platform your self?
some swim platforms are only fiberglass and will not hold the weight.

[biacs]

Mounting the ladder myself. Boat was never optioned with a ladder from the factory. But it's the OEM ladder used.

So we've had it on the boat for a couple seasons with what I'll call the ugly hardware.


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[biacs]

Mounting the ladder myself. Boat was never optioned with a ladder from the factory. But it's the OEM ladder used.

So we've had it on the boat for a couple seasons with what I'll call the ugly hardware.


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Apologies I didn't see the other questions, boat is 2006 Nautique 220 team edition


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[core-rider]

Your current hardware is incorrect either way... you're using a countersunk style screw head with a flat washer. You should be using a button head style screw with that washer.

I don't believe your boat ever had a ladder option, so OEM vs. aftermarket ladder doesn't really matter. I can't speak to your platform having proper internal structure for a ladder mounting option, so really you just need to make sure the load of each fastener is spread over the largest surface possible. It might look "ugly", but the larger each flat washer under the screw is will help spread the load better.

Also... counter sink the holes drilled slightly to help keep stress cracks from forming.

[biacs]

Your current hardware is incorrect either way... you're using a countersunk style screw head with a flat washer. You should be using a button head style screw with that washer.

I don't believe your boat ever had a ladder option, so OEM vs. aftermarket ladder doesn't really matter. I can't speak to your platform having proper internal structure for a ladder mounting option, so really you just need to make sure the load of each fastener is spread over the largest surface possible. It might look "ugly", but the larger each flat washer under the screw is will help spread the load better.

Also... counter sink the holes drilled slightly to help keep stress cracks from forming.

Very interesting point? Guilty on all charges, I had this ugly hardware roughed in to try and find some good fitment, obviously this is not it :-) last year I just used standard button top screws ran right through the petrified great nonskid material.

About to put down the seadeck kit and I wanted something flush to go underneath but still distribute the weight properly for the swim ladder. Behold I found elevator bolts which are perfectly flat /flash round tops that should work great!

Interesting point on no ladder ever been offered, I swear I had seen factory boats with this. If nonetheless several people installing ladders on different threads as well. And with six bolts distributing the weight I never saw any cracking or stress issues to be worried about. But I'll certainly keep a cautious eye out I do appreciate the point being raised!


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[core-rider]

To the best of my knowledge Nautique didn't offered ladder options until around 2017-18, and even then I think it was only on the G-series boats.

Not saying you can't install one on your platform, I'm just not sure the structure is in the platform to keep it from damaging the finish.

The bolts you're talking about if Im thinking of the right ones would be a good option. Still not sure I'd cover them with SeaDek though. I'd finish the SeaDek around the bolt heads so access to them would be easy, and give a clear line of sight to see any potential cracks before they got too bad.


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[bturner]

First time I ever saw those kind of bolts. Learn something new everyday and something to keep in mind should I need something like this in the future.

[biacs]

And results with the flat elevator bolts, don't really see any bumps at all from the mounting hardware.


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[biacs]

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[Kenboat]

Looks very good
My 2012 has molded reinforcing strips covered in fiberglass running in 3 area between the 2 brackets.
Still thinking of the best way to mount the swim ladder.
For the time using a tow rope handle tied off to the pulling eye.

[ScrewPusher]

I drilled the holes for my ladder then I realized the platform was foam filled and not solid. If I bolted together, it would just pull the flat head screw thru. I used a nail with 1/8" bend on the end to enlarge the foam hole but not the fiberglass hole. Then filled the hole with epoxy and re-drilled and countersunk for the flat head screw. It was time consuming. I then checked the fit and glued the screws trying to keep any path for water to leak into the foam interior. installed Seadek over it and pleased.

[biacs]

I drilled the holes for my ladder then I realized the platform was foam filled and not solid. If I bolted together, it would just pull the flat head screw thru. I used a nail with 1/8" bend on the end to enlarge the foam hole but not the fiberglass hole. Then filled the hole with epoxy and re-drilled and countersunk for the flat head screw. It was time consuming. I then checked the fit and glued the screws trying to keep any path for water to leak into the foam interior. installed Seadek over it and pleased.

https://www.ebay.com/itm/16520059932...mis&media=COPY

Can't guarantee the link will work to eBay. But elevator bolts or what I used on my platform, apologies for not giving pictures of it before I stuck the sea deck over it :-)



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[Kenboat]

How did you remove the seadeck without damage and put back down?

[bturner]

Based on the pictures, he didn't. The second picture of the latest post shows a bag full of Sea Deck pieces.