Ladder dimensions or manufacturer
 

Hi All,

I have a '98 252 SS with the two step swim platform ladder. Well, once again the mounting brackets have failed. (which could be a big hint on starting that diet!)

I saw a '07 292 FasTec yesterday, and it has a three step ladder, and it looks like it might fit as a replacement for my two step, but of course I didn't have a tape measure with me. :(

Does anyone know the folded dimensions of the three step ladder? Or does anyone know who makes the ladders? Or, lastly, where I can find some replacement mounting brackets? I don't think mine will take another trip to the welder.

Any help would be greatly appreciated!
Bob

You can give Formula a call and talk to TAG and they could tell you the sizes of the ladders and if it would fit your boat.
If you call ask for Kerry Davis he has been there forever and knows alot about the older boats.

'98 252 is now considered and "older boat" that needs someone who's been around forever???

Wow, mines' a friggin' antique then.

Yeah, how long has Daryl been there? Someone needs to do a brain scan on him and back it up on DVD. He's been a great resource on our antique SR-1s. :D

Oh, and I second the motion to contact Formula's Technical Assistance Group. If you're lucky they'll come back with manufacturer info. But usually you'll get just a Formula part number. Then get hold of one of the great dealers on here and seek a little more help.

The 292's have a three step telescoping ladder, it doesn't fold up. I don't know much about the 252's so can't tell you if it were to fit or not. I can take a look at mine tonigth and tell you who the manufacture is.

Thanks for the info folks!

And yes Split, you are correct, it is a telescoping ladder on the new ones, my bad on that. It folds over into the recess, but its really a telescoping ladder. It looks like its way better than my older style and I hope it will fit.

Thanks!

Anewway, I did not mean your 1998 252 is old, I meant that with all the changes that Formula has been going thru the last 5 years or so that someone that has been in tag for a long time would be helpful. If they give you a part number and you need to order thru a dealer give me a holler I will help all I can.

I have several boats for sale that are as old as yours and they are STILL one of the most popular boats Formula ever made.

No worries selpel! I didn't take it that way at all. Believe me, if I could own a new one I would, but this was the one I could afford. :)

I spoke to a Daryl at Formula, and he sent me the engineering drawing of the new ladder, but of course the only dimension not listed is the stowed dimension. But, he also told me that the ladder is a custom job made by Windline. I have called them to see if they can get me the stowed dimension, and they are supposed to be calling me back on that.

Daryl said they don't have a part number built up for the brackets, but that he knows he can get them for me if the complete ladder doesn't work out. I would love to have three steps instead of two if possible, but if not, such is life.

Oh, and thanks for the offer, I might take you up on that if I need to order something!

quick update for those who may be interested, it does sound like its going to fit, so I have one on the way direct from Windline. Keeping my fingers crossed. :)

Its in!
 

Ok, finally getting around to reporting back on this. Its in and looks and works great, but it was a bit of work.

I measured everything I thought would be questionable fit wise, but of course, two things came up to make it interesting. :eek:

First, the ladder fits in the same place just fine, in fact, when telescoped in, it actually fits a little better. Until you try and close the lid. And no, its not the molded steps that cause you issues, its the dimension of the pipe. Its a good deal bigger around that the old one at the brackets, so the lid wouldn't quite close. I was able to grind a bit out of the lid, and a bit out of the platform at the mounting brackets until the lid closed, and then went back and "painted" over that with Marine-Tex and all is fine there.

One thing that also has changed is the size of the actual mounting brackets. The old ones were about a 1/2" longer, so for everything to line up, the holes for the bolts had to be about a 1/2" closed to the edge. And of course its thicker there, but also hollow. All in all I would suspect the glass is about the same thickness, but there was a 1/2" gap in the middle. I was already nervous moving so close to the edge, but the gap really bothered me. I mean I'm sure its fine, since that's where they are being mounted now, but I also didn't know if they are re-enforcing that area now. Anyhow, nervous nelly that I am, I took a big syringe that you use for injecting spices into turkeys, and drilled out the end and used that to pump Marine-Tex into the holes I drilled. I taped up the bottom, and repeatedly pushed stuff in until I saw it reach the adjacent hole. I then moved to that one and did the same. I figure I have about six inches of the linear gap filled at each bracket. (I also used the same method to fill the holes for the old brackets)

A couple of days later I drilled out the mounting holes again and used the old brackets as a back mounting plate and voila! A new ladder! Its MUCH easier to use than the old two step, and a heck of a lot easier on your feet. :D

Sounds like a job well done!:cool-smiley-011: