Formula extended swim platform
 

I ordered an extended platform from Formula for my 2000 400 ss.

Anyone take this on themselves and if so what adhesive/sealant did you use to seal around the holes etc?

Any special tricks/tips?

Thanks for any help

just about to do the same. Going to follow thanks

If you have to seal the holes use 4200 or 5200.

I would call TAG to walk through the install process steps. Thought about tackling for my 04' 37ss but ended up having it professionally done by a Formula dealer. They used 5200 adhesive to seal the bolt and cleat holes. I have pictures from Formula, i'll try to post tonight, of the process but there isn't a template available to pre-drill holds and I would have to lower, mark and drill based on the platform mold (will require multiple hands). Also consider your waste cap might need to be moved if its on the upper part of the swim deck (not sure the name - transition from swim platform to back). The kicker for me was no storage spot to tackle this job which I think is doable with the right hands and some time.

assuming this is aftermarket? does it mount below or on top of the swim platform?

You can buy aftermarket or buy one from Formula which is installed on new boats from factory. I ordered one from Formula. Mounts over/to the existing platform.

I double checked with Formula and there is no need or requirement to move the waste pump out port. I thought this was the case but the post above had me second guessing.

FWIW, I would believe that if an Owner were to spend the $$ for the Formula platform from a dealer, that either the dealer or Formula would be willing to provide the detail written procedure (knowing that is probably in Formula's process plan) to install the unit, which should specify what type of adhesive/sealant to use during the install.

I purchased aftermarket for my 93' 34PC (as it was never available in 93') and it was provided with written detailed installation instructions that were very helpful. I performed the install myself with assistance and did use 4200. I know this install is a different from what your 400 would be.

Being curious, did Formula or the dealer ask you about your exhaust setup and if there should be any concern? The reason I ask is a close friend with a 99' 370 was told specifically by Formula that due to the additional weight of the platform, as it was not an option to his year, could lower the stern and possibly enough for inversion. Formula explained that when they introduced the optional extended platform a few models years later, that there were adjustments made to the exhaust outlet location to accommodate the additional weight.

Hope this is not taken as critical, just knowing how helpful the Factory is with Owners and the Formula brand, I would hope that you could obtain all the information you could possibly need from the direct source, and considering the $$ you spent on the platform I'm sure.

Good luck with the install and hope to see you post pictures of the completed upgarde.

Might want to consider larger trim tabs too, I know I passed on the larger Formula platform (or any but the Formula one is massive) for my 350 due to the weight. Just throwing 4-500 lbs. (or more) cantilevered behind the transom has to negatively impact balance. One reason you NEVER see a CBR without the additional platform, I think, is because the bow plug is heavier than the SS and they need more weight in back to re-balance.

I asked Formula about what type of sealant./adhesive and they weren't real specific. I am going to use 5200 unless between now and then I figure out something otherwise, the weight of platform/people is mainly supported by the mounted studs to the boat. They do not have a detailed written procedure that I have been able to find thus far. They have a pdf with pictures only of one being installed on a 370 ss. In general it's not rocket science. Lay the platform on top and mark holes or somehow lay out holes with measuring, drill, apply sealant around holes etc, and tighten up.

I ordered it directly from the factory with my HID. They did not ask anything about the exhaust configuration or mention anything about the balance of the boat. I honestly can't see a platform significantly affecting the balance of the boat. 300-500 lbs for a platform compared to the lowest dry weight I have found published of 15,500 lbs then throw in fuel, waste water, fresh water, hot water, oil, etc not too mention all the stuff that we all keep on our boats. In general these boats have so much weight fluctuation and placement of that weight due to fluids, coolers, people, equipment, etc that the platform seems to be minimal and if they were that sensitive to weight our boats would never operate correctly.

agree, I haven't noticed a difference on my 37 with the extended platform

zelinsm,

I agree with you it's not rocket science. I am quite surprised that Formula doesn't have or didn't offer to provide a procedure. As far as the additional weight, was merely offering information a fellow 370 Owner obtained from Formula when he inquired about adding the extended platform.

Only other advice would be to carefully layout your bolt pattern taking into consideration any harnesses or plumbing routed under the existing platform, particularly around the leading edge of the new extended platform, so you don't drill through anything underneath. Also, caulk genereously between the existing platform and the underside of the new extended one when installing.

Good luck with the install.

Honestly I thought they would have some instructions etc but so far I haven't come up with much in the way of that and I am kind of surprised at Formula. Maybe they don't expect many people to make this addition on older boats or???

I know you were just passing along info but it sounded really strange that Formula or anyone would make a claim such as that when you think about what really goes on. Maybe there is something else to that situation but they never mentioned anything to me.

From what I can recall off the top of my head that area is pretty free of harnesses/plumbing but of course once I am in the process of installing I will do a final check. I will try to pass along anything I can following my install. Waiting for my platform to be finished, I guess they ran out of gelcoat that matches my boat. Another surprise that I didn't expect from Formula....

this was a duplicate

(Newbie posting!)

I have been inquiring with my Formula dealer about adding a platform to a 2002 370SS. They gave me a price for the platform and then quoted 20 to 24 hours of labor to install.Yikes.

The parts guy said he could come up with instructions and pictures if I were to try it myself.

For those that recently said they were having this done, do you have any updates for us? How many hours did you pay for? Or, if you did it yourself, what did it take?

I'd consider paying for this to be done if I could find a more reasonable estimate for labor.

20-24 hours sounds a bit high however I am guessing that is man hours and so far in my install a lot of it takes 2 or more people with maneuvering things, holding something, etc while the other person inspects for fit etc. What is the quoted cost for these hours?

I am part of the way through the install. I ended up stopping after getting the mounting holes drilled in the boat for the studs of the extended swim platform. The extended platform came with pilot holes drilled for pop up cleats which were included. I did not have appropriate documentation to support what we thought regarding the installation of the cleats as it appeared ~2 inch holes needed to be put in the existing platform. Better to be safe than sorry when punching 2+ inch holes in your boat. lol. I have since received additional photos from Formula confirming my thoughts were correct.

Thus far it has not been that difficult of a task to get the mounting holes for the studs marked and drilled, just marked the holes and measured about 50 times before the drill/hole saw came out. I made a template out of cardboard to go over all 4 studs and cut the edge of the cardboard to match the shape of the extended platform so that an initial mark could be made for the studs.

I will try to write up a step by step at some point when I have more time. If anyone is taking on this task you can PM me in the meantime for help if needed.

Is it through bolted or lag screwed into the transom?
If it were me, I'd want it through bolted. AND, I'd want to have the holes drilled out, larger than the bolts, and have tubes resin'd into the holes, AND then install the through bolts with with 3M 4200. This way there is no chance of water getting to the core of your transom.

There is no difference in the sealing "power" or adhesive quality between 4200 and 5200. The 5200 is "permanent" to the point you will have to take drastic action to ever remove it. But with 4200 it can be removed with time and care.

There are studs that are glassed into the platform so it gets through bolted to the hull.

Your installation wishes would be more of the ideal situation but this is overkill and is not practical especially from a manufacturing standpoint. When the boats are built there are many holes that are drilled through the transom etc and they are just sealed with 3M or equivalent. The installation costs would be quite high when added as a aftermarket type accessory.

The statement "There is no difference in the sealing "power" or adhesive quality between 4200 and 5200. The 5200 is "permanent" to the point you will have to take drastic action to ever remove it. But with 4200 it can be removed with time and care." contradicts itself. If there is no difference is adhesive quality one would not be considered removable and the other permanent. 3M is not is the business of labeling products differently with no difference in material properties. 5200 has a tensile strength of 700 psi and 4200/4000 have a tensile strength of 300 psi. 5200 is rated as high strength bonding and 4200/4000 are rated as general bonding for gelcoat by 3M. Formula provides tubes of 4000 with the platform which in general has the same properties as 4200 but is more UV resistant.

Need some ballpark figures. What was the cost of the factory platform purchased and shipped from Formula, and then installation?

Platform was about $4k but I picked it up at the factory, so there wasn't the crate fee which was 500 bucks I believe and no shipping costs. I did have to pay 100 bucks for them to wrap it up in padding/shrink wrap and local sales tax. Call formula or your local dealer with your HIN to get current pricing for platform, shipping, etc. If you pick it up you can tour the factory which was pretty cool.

I installed mine myself as stated earlier in the thread. Not a horribly hard process just a lot of measuring, making a template, and test fitting after cutting holes/before adhesive with final install. Takes a while because of the repeated measuring and trial fits to make sure there wasn't an oh crap moment, if I did another one it would go a lot quicker. I think when I checked with my local dealer it was about a 1,000 bucks for installation.

We're shopping and looking at both 370 & 400 models. Your info helps because I've been guessing we'll need to spend $5k or $6k if we find a boat without it. Thank you.

You're welcome.

In my opinion the extended swim platform is a must. I put mine on mainly for added safety with covering the drives but the additional room on the back of the boat is a huge plus too.

Don't know what your constraints are but personally I like the 400 a lot more. The anchor/windlass is a lot cleaner looking as far as how it is stored/routed. You get a bigger refrigerator and a freezer in the cabin. The galley surface is larger and the aft is more accessible. Just my .02

Good luck shopping

Thanks, I agree. Several friends have the extended platform, and it really does provide a lot of room. We'd be happy with either model, it's going to come down to the best bang for the buck.

I saw something come up in my Facebook feed where I think Formula may have an extended swim platform at a huge discount. Somehow it was made using a different mold than it was supposed to for the boat it was going on so if anyone is still looking to do this it may be worth giving them a shout. I believe you would talk the guys in vintage boats.

Yup that was my platform that they made wrong. finely got the correct one a week ago.