Mainship Swimstep

[Chrises Craft]

Hello boaters. I have a 350 Mainship that may need some core repair/replacement on the swim step. Anyone have any experience with this? Does the top come off the swim step or does the whole thing need to come off the boat. Any help is appreciated.

 

[Keysdisease]

That is a well documented fix and at one time the factory was paying for it. I'm sure someone more familiar than I am can chime in with details.

I believe the top is not fastened but just 5200 to the hull extension. If I recall the fix was take off the top, remove all the waterlogged foam, either install a bilge pump or drill access to the hull proper to connect the two bilges, and install access hatches to the top before replacing.

Stand by

 

[Chrises Craft]

Thank you - that is a good start

 

[Bacchus]

Thank you - that is a good start

This Post may also help

There may be others in the MS sub-forum - a few searches may turn up others.

I've repaired a Carver platform but I could remove it and take it home -
On that one I could work from the backside and recore then reglass - saved having to get into any non-skip resurfacing.
Not sure if that's the case on the 350 / 390's??

 

[Keysdisease]

It's probably not. The 350/390 swim platform is not a conventional swim platform but is part of a hull extension. It is actually bolted on to the transom and then the seam is faired before the hull is painted.

I believe the OP is asking about the "flotation foam" inside the platform, which was a very bad idea from the start.

I've repaired a Carver platform but I could remove it and take it home -
On that one I could work from the backside and recore then reglass - saved having to get into any non-skip resurfacing.
Not sure if that's the case on the 350 / 390's??

 

[Chrises Craft]

Yes , the swim step is attached to the hull extension. I believe the first issue was resolved by installing a bilge pump and adding access to the extension. My problem now is the access hatches were not sealed properly and the core around one hatch is wet. I was hoping to remove the swim step portion only, (separate it from the hull extension) so I can repair the core from beneath in my garage and to avoid a repair from above as suggested by Bacchus.

 

[Keysdisease]

No telling how the top was connected when the "fix" was made. On most of the MS platforms I've heard about there wasn't even support against the transom from the factory, just 5200 with no clamp.

Depending on how far into the core water has intruded maybe see if removing the hatch frame and doing some core digging might give an indication of how extensive a repair you're looking at. You just might be able to fix it working from the edge, maybe.

My problem now is the access hatches were not sealed properly and the core around one hatch is wet. I was hoping to remove the swim step portion only, (separate it from the hull extension) so I can repair the core from beneath in my garage and to avoid a repair from above as suggested by Bacchus.

 

[Chrises Craft]

Great idea Keysdisease, If I can remove all the wet from the edge I could fill with epoxy? I also considered adding a bigger hatch and some storage if the wet core area is not too large. Great Forum. Going to start visiting more often.

 

[Keysdisease]

If I can remove all the wet from the edge I could fill with epoxy? Absolutely

Larger hatch, outstanding idea

Great idea Keysdisease, If I can remove all the wet from the edge I could fill with epoxy? I also considered adding a bigger hatch and some storage if the wet core area is not too large. Great Forum. Going to start visiting more often.