After reading many threads on ST platform problems and noticing exhaust leaking out the top and sides of the platform, it was time to remove to see what was going on.

As you can see the platform itself had rotted where it meets the transom allowing hot exhaust to discolor gel and crack in several spots (hard to see in pic).

Fortunately the transom wasn’t rotted, so time to refinish. I also wanted to get rid of “skunk” stripe on starboard side of drive and old trim tab mounts previous owner left.

I will do my best to document progress along the way to help others that maybe questioning their ST platforms.

My transom is finished ( I will add pics) and am now in process of fabricating aluminum platform.

This is great, love seeing transom upgrades!! Look forward to seeing the finished product.

My next step was to remove all the hardware, exhaust, tabs, etc. on the transom to prepare for refinishing. If you look closely at the pics you will see several cracks in gel right behind where the ST platform was mounted.

Pic from other side.

Looking good! Still kinda mind boggling how formula typically.does such quality and design work yet came up with this freaking concept that has so many potential flaws.

Guessing you had to repaint the whole transom?

I hate to be an, “I told you so,” but yep!! Welcome to the dark side!

Looking good too.

Since you’ve gone this far, your 242 would love the addition of some 280 Kplanes. The Bennett tabs doesn’t really do anything at all (not even worth putting back on the boat).

I knew I wanted a Formula when I as looking for boats 3 years ago. Their boats are definitely one of the best. This ST platform design just seems like when good ideas go bad!

Tom, don’t do this to me! I still have to replace gimbal ring and finish new platform. I’ve got a lot wrapped up in this ole girl in the past few months. Although they are Bennett’s, they do seem to work well on this boat. I know what you’re saying though. I’m in residential construction and I tell customers all the time......”now’s the time to do it since we are this far”.

How much does a set generally run?

CW, Ya, we end up refinishing the entire transom. That part is complete. If I can get home on time, I will post more pics on how we completed that.

A good used setup, maybe a grand.

I am sure SickStinger or FullForce have some laying around. There is a set of plates on Swap Shop now, but you would still need the transom brackets.

280S K-Planes