Drilling thru a thick swim platform

[spsu00]

We bought the Hurley H3O David system to install on our Carver 410. We are having to use the Davit extension and it requires "8"
Holes be drilled they the swim platform for the bolts. The swim platform on our boat where we need to drill is almost 10" thick. Does anyone know if this swim platform is hollow core ? Is there anything I should look for before I start drilling or any advice on drilling?

[bud37]

You should add the year of your boat to your info...... Now if it were me I would call Carver with the hull # and find out what is in that space if anything, even after that, I would crawl down there and look for myself.

Hopefully someone with the the same year/ model can chime in......good luck with your project..

[darrenlife]

I have a 2001 but unfortunately I can definitively say one way or the other. I’ll be in my bilge tomorrow and will see if I can figure it out but I agree that phoning Carver to confirm is the safest bet

[km1125]

I can't imagine that the platform would actually be 10" thick. I'll bet it has a top and bottom and it's open in between.

But that's just a guess.

[RGrew176]

Source of the post I can't imagine that the platform would actually be 10" thick. I'll bet it has a top and bottom and it's open in between.

But that's just a guess.

I agree. My last boat a Bayliner 3055 Ciera had a hollow swim platform. When the two halves of the boat were joined together it formed the swim platform. Could have stored some stuff inside mine if I had chosen to do so. But, it being a stern drive I chose not to add any additional weight at the stern.

[Tireless]

I am in the process of installing a Sea Weed davit system on the swim platform of my 2006 44 CMY. The swim platform is made of two layers of laminated fibreglass with a one inch thick balsa core sandwiched in between. I have access to the lower part of the swim platform from the bildge area under my cockpit floor. It is hard to believe your swim platform would be 10 inches thick. There must be a void under the top surface of your platform and the hull. In my instance, I plan on drilling over sized holes(1/4" larger) through the deck and removing 1/4 " more balsa core in-between the 2 fibreglass layers. I will then fill with Six10 epoxy and let it harden. I will drill out a 5/16" hole in the hardened epoxy to accommodate the 1/4" through bolts. I am sealing with 3M 4200 as well. I don't want to run the risk of water intrusion into the core, as it will wick and destroy the platform. The epoxy plug also will give a better compression factor between the backing plates and the hardware than the balsa core on its own. I assisted a friend in installing the system you have and the holes must be very precise or the upper plate will not slide on and off. Hope this helps you.

As stated by bud37, if you can't get access and see what's going on under your swim platform, Carver will know how that's put together, 1-920-822-3214 and ask for Brian. He's very helpful and can pull up your plans.

[Tireless]

I have looked at what I BTB a pic of your boat. Your platform and mine are structured the same. You should be able to access the void between your swim platform and the hull through your access door on your cockpit floor.

[Viper]

Ya pretty sure you have a hollow platform.

[spsu00]

Thanks everyone....it was hollow. We ended up adding an access and using nuts and bolts with epoxy. Seems to be holding well.

[Viper]