Just got my new to me 2000 Lightning. Boat's very very clean, however I discovered a few things concerning the swim ladder I'm a little picky about. The gas strut that holds the door open is very rusted, I know I can get a new one from Fountain, but is there a stainless variation? Also, the small ball end that the strut mounts on (on the boat side), threads into the side of the swim ladder storage area. This is also very rusted and I'd like to replace, but I'm not sure what it's threaded into. Does it go into straight glass, or is there a steel/aluminum backing plate there? I don't want to have an issue with breaking it off and then regretting it.

Same question on the latches that hold the swim ladder door closed. One is slightly loose, the other is off the boat for some reason with one screw broken off in the hole. Do these simply screw into glass or is there a backing material behind them? I was considering Taking a piece of 1/8" SS the size of the latch, drilling and tapping it, and epoxying under the latches. Any thoughts?

The lift Shock is avalible in stainless (978-777-7279)ask for jim and tell him what you need he can set you up! the backing plate is a maybe thing??? on a 2000 my 01 does not have a backer but with fountain you never Know!!

Don't feel like the lone ranger here, I have some time in screwing with the set up here as well.

My lift shock is stainless, and there are no backing plates on the latches, just screwed into the glass. I doubt you can get way up in there to get them in place without the engines out of the way. I have spent some time playing with the latches to get them to close tightly and not work loose when running, little shiming here and there was all it took. Also put some little rubber bumpers under the ladder to keep it from vibrating when at idle, not a big deal, just an annoying sound that drove me nuts.