32 Montego swim platform & bowsprit

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rythmstrat

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Had our future boat surveyed yesterday...turns out the swim platform and bowsprit are waterlogged. Bit of a disappointment, but don't consider it to be a deal-breaker...however, the rest of the boat turned in well. Decks, hull and engine bed all okay.

Seems the options for swim platform involve re-coring or replacing (it's bolt-on), and repair (re-coring only) for the bowsprit. Surveyor advised against using windlass until repair performed. I found and have emailed Swimplatforms.com for a quote for a bolt-on s/platform replacement. Anybody have any experience or other suggestions re: these items? I've read the 'DIY platform and stair' thread with great interest, respect and admiration, but that's well beyond my ability
 
If the funds allow I would go for a new swim platform, it would be a bonus to have a larger one on that boat. The bow pulpit I would have fixed since you aren't buying a replacement for that unless you get real lucky.
 
I agree with 370 Motoryacht. swimplatforms(dot)com will probably need a pattern as I've not seen one of their platforms on that hull (3257, 3297). The platform on the 32 Montego is quite large, but you could have one made to your specs from them. It should also come with all of the attaching hardware and supports.
 
That's exactly the way I'm leaning. Get the pulpit repaired, and live with the platform thru this year, or until funds allow for a new larger one to be made. Can the pulpit be repaired in the water? I understand the concept, but have little knowledge of the conditions req'd
 
The pulpit will need to be removed. It can be done in the water but you will have a bow rail that hangs over the bow with nothing to attach to and you will have to plug up the holes in the deck from the windlass and pulpit mounting bolts. Shouldn't really be a problem to do it in the water as the pulpit will be taken to a shop itself.
 
Ah, that's what I was looking for...it needs to be removed and taken in. Okay, I can make sense out of that. Seems elementary, but I'm not familiar with this boat yet, nor is it in my marina yet, and it's not around the corner for me to look at easily. I guess most marine shops that do fibreglass repair can handle this job. My marina isn't equipped for this.
 
If you can wait a season, I may have a halfway decent swim platform for you. I'm going to be making a teak platform next winter and will not need mine. It has had a hard life and is not pretty but is still structurally sound. If you replaced the rub rail trim it would look a lot better.

If you do find a reasonable option for the platform before next winter, let me know as I will look at that before investing in teak.

Thanks,

Jim
3297 Montego
 
Gee...that's an offer I may take you up on. My suspicion is that there will be a bunch of stuff I will have to attend to elsewhere on the boat this year with more urgency, probably causing the platform to have to wait. I'd still like to pursue a quote for a new replacement, just so I know the costs of going that route, and I'll certainly share what I find out.

At minimum, there are a few non-USCG approved fuel lines & non-marine fuel pump to the genny, a couple of thru-hull valves need replacing, and some minor electrical issues, one new battery req'd, etc., that will have to be dealt with asap.

Add to that, some new GPS/Chartplotter equipment, and probably a Raymarine Speed/Temp/Depth sounder instrument. (Can't believe there wasn't a depth sounder on board.) The old Loran stuff will come off, as will the ancient GPS from Garmin.

Thx, Scott.
 
I am not farmiliar with the 32 Montego but in about 3-4wks when I finish building a new one I will taking off the factory swimplatform on a 32 carver aft. Not sure if it would be same conture or not. I had planned on throwing it on craigstlist for a couple hundred bucks and see if anyone would be intrested.
 
Well, if it'd fit, I'd be interested, for sure. How do we figure that out? Any pics? condition?
 
The 32 aft and 32 Montegos are different hulls with almost a foot difference in beam and surely a different conture across the transom. Also, the Montego's platform is much deeper front to back than the 3207 Aft
 
We had an 1988 3257 and if I recall, the bow pulpit is an integral part of the foredeck and cannot be removed (except with a recipicating saw but I doubt you want to gat that way!). The swim platform is HUGE and I can't imagine wanting a larger one. It is a "bolt on" so it can be replaced. The downside is that you need to check the bolt locations regularly to re-caulk and make certain there is no water intrusion into the transom.

FWIW, our swim platform had some soft spots as well but never got bad enough to worry about. The bow pulpit and foredeck of ours were solid.
 
quote:
Originally posted by MikeeH

We had an 1988 3257 and if I recall, the bow pulpit is an integral part of the foredeck and cannot be removed (except with a recipicating saw but I doubt you want to gat that way!). The swim platform is HUGE and I can't imagine wanting a larger one. It is a "bolt on" so it can be replaced. The downside is that you need to check the bolt locations regularly to re-caulk and make certain there is no water intrusion into the transom.

FWIW, our swim platform had some soft spots as well but never got bad enough to worry about. The bow pulpit and foredeck of ours were solid.

Click to expand...


The bow pulpit is a separate piece and is bolted with(6) bolts, if I'm not mistaken
 
I wondered if the 32 Montego and 3207 aft were alike... darn. I did review the orig. boat pic from mjkkempers platform and stair project, once I realized who the author was, and our platform does seem deeper than that one. As for the transom, it appears not to have had a moisture issue. I think the platform was compromised by the addition of davits and a bbq mount that maybe weren't resealed on-going.

Can't say for certain re the pulpit...I hope its removable, it would sure make the repair easier. Will confirm in a few weeks at the Sea trial.

Once again, thx all for your input.
Scott.
 
Just pulled some old photos. Yep, I believe Kenny is right about the bow pulpit being removable. We never had any issues with ours which is why I probably forgot that detail.
 
Just received the email quote from swimplatforms.com, & they confirm they have not built a platform for this model before. Their price is $2295.00 USD, plus crating and shipping, approx $200.00. Their lead time is about 3 weeks from their receipt of the template, which I must make for them. (They are emailing template instructions)

Scott.
 
I was talking with swimplatforms.com a couple of years ago about getting one made for my boat, and the same as you...they had never made one for my boat before..they e-mailed me the instructions, but I thought that for the money they should have researched the measurement from Carver and done the template themselves...I figured that if I made an error on the template that I was out the cash and I wasn't ready to take that risk...
 
That sounds like a real good price for a custom made. Last year I had the platform on my 32 Marriner (same hull) totaly rebuilt. New core, all screw holles and bolt holes were 2" solid epoxey plugs, new bottom, original top and sides, new more aggressive non skid, and new rubrail. The price was in the range of $3500.
 
I was hoping someone might comment & mention a price that I could compare with. In further conversation with them, they mention they could make a platform 40" or even slightly larger at the same cost.

Assuming similar quality, this seems a pretty good deal. As mentioned, I don't have the boat yet, so I'm not sure of the depth of the factory platform. Anybody know?

Scott.
 
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