Suggestions on Reattaching Surf Platform to Brackets on Mobius

[bspong]

New to me 2013 Mobius LSV - I knew that the platform had been reattached previously as the previous owners didn't use stainless screws. A couple weeks later, daughter was getting ready to wakeboard and said where's the platform.....found it floating not too far away. In looking through the forums, it appears that this is not a unique situation and there's some knowledge out there about getting this fixed for the long run.

So I need to get the platform reattached to the support brackets that then fit into the transom brackets. A couple of questions from those a bit more experienced.


Can I just use slightly larger screws? recommended sizes? Will definitely use stainless this time!
Do I need to fill the holes first -- any recommendation of what I would fill them with to make a permanent bond?
Saw someone drilled all the way through and used a washer on the top then covered with new seadek or other padding -- seems heavy duty - any reason I wouldn't want to do that?


I'm a complete noob on this type of thing, so any hints or suggestion are very much appreciated! Thanks in advance!


BTW - here's the brackets I'm talking about and the previous owner's rusted screws that are now on the bottom of the lake.

https://i.imgur.com/ZdGeqZZ.jpg

[uniwarking]

I'd suggest working with a dealer and getting the brackets they used from 2014 or 2015+. I did this on my 2013 Mojo and it made a world of difference... the old brackets allowed the platform to move and shake the whole boat anytime a small wave hit the boat from behind and I actually had a bracket fail (but I didn't loose the platform). I think I only paid a few hundred dollars to have this done... and had the manual flow system installed at the same time.

[bspong]

I think that is the way to go...but it's also something probably for the off season - our local shops seem super overworked and don't seem to be quick to get anything scheduled. Hope they're still in that price range!

For now, I am looking for a strong/effective Band-Aid until I can get the real fix completed! Will definitely try the plastic shim hack to see if that helps, but still need to get the platform back attached to the support arms first!

[Rilez]

I'd suggest working with a dealer and getting the brackets they used from 2014 or 2015+. I did this on my 2013 Mojo and it made a world of difference... the old brackets allowed the platform to move and shake the whole boat anytime a small wave hit the boat from behind and I actually had a bracket fail (but I didn't loose the platform). I think I only paid a few hundred dollars to have this done... and had the manual flow system installed at the same time.

It's really supposed to loose on the older models? I actually put it on my list this last weekend to look at and tighten mine as it sounds loose any time we're sitting there and a wave hits it, you're saying that's not the case? For reference I have an 05.

[Rilez]

I think that is the way to go...but it's also something probably for the off season - our local shops seem super overworked and don't seem to be quick to get anything scheduled. Hope they're still in that price range!

For now, I am looking for a strong/effective Band-Aid until I can get the real fix completed! Will definitely try the plastic shim hack to see if that helps, but still need to get the platform back attached to the support arms first!

Depending on how permanent of a fix you're wanting, the plumbers epoxy putty hardens like steel so it would definitely old your screws & fill any gap etc...the only problem is it wouldn't be coming back out...but it is only $4 and would take about 30 seconds so could be an option depending on your plans.

https://www.menards.com/main/plumbing/plumbing-installation-repair/pipe-sealants-caulk-putty/harvey-trade-plumbers-epoxy-putty-4-oz/44210/p-1563172115005-c-8531.htm?tid=371666566403748243&ipos=1

[uniwarking]

It's really supposed to loose on the older models? I actually put it on my list this last weekend to look at and tighten mine as it sounds loose any time we're sitting there and a wave hits it, you're saying that's not the case? For reference I have an 05.

I can really only speak to my experience on my 2013. There were some set screws that could be tightened and I know some people shimmed the gaps to help reduce the play. I found that changing to the newer style brackets was the fix for me… never again had anything brake or flop around.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[zabooda]

You got to get JB Weld into the discussion. Fill the holes and redrill. Somehow, I've been there before. Of course, use SS parts.

[bspong]

You got to get JB Weld into the discussion. Fill the holes and redrill. Somehow, I've been there before. Of course, use SS parts.That's my plan for now... Did you use regular stainless screws? Any idea how long they were? Thanks for the confirmation that this could work!

Sent from my SM-G991U using Tapatalk

[Mxmark4]

Fill holes with thickened epoxy, redrill and then use 5200 to seal brackets to the hull. 5200 will keep anything from coming apart.

[sandm]

Fill holes with thickened epoxy, redrill and then use 5200 to seal brackets to the hull. 5200 will keep anything from coming apart.

this.

I can't speak to the newer boats you are discussing but our old '06 had horrid platform brackets. replaced a couple of the brackets as they were piss poor pot metal and weak as crap. we ended up using larger screws and had to create shims to go between the bracket and the mounting block to eliminate the "slop" in the platform mounts. the waves-as mentioned- would cause pretty much anything else to fail long term if the bracket/platform have any slop in them.

fwiw I do recall someone back in the day removing the swim platform gatorstep, using nut/bolt with a flat top and then reapplying a thicker gator on the platform. memory is fuzzy but I remember it working good but was somewhat expensive and time consuming to remove/reapply the gator.

post up solution and results as it'll likely happen to others and good to have more recent threads with issue/repair....

[bspong]

Going to try to tackle this this weekend. I'll take some pics and notes, but it will be a total hacky DIY job :p

My gatorstep pad should be replaced anyway, but I don't think I have it in me right now to tackle that project - especially if I eventually go for the newer/updated transom brackets anyway.

Right now, I have to have the tube inflated so that the kids can climb up on that and then get into the boat. I hate the tube, even though they love it. Gotta get this fixed!

Thanks for all the suggestions and keep them coming if anyone has more!

[bspong]

UPDATE: filled in holes with JB-Weld and started to remount the brackets to the underside of the board. Upon closer inspection, the original location of the brackets seem to be waaaaay off centered - completely skewed to the one side. See attached photo.

https://i.imgur.com/MS1rA6d.png

Now, to remount the brackets, should I recenter it? or is there some reason that it was skewed so much? There were no other filled in old holes that I saw, so could it have come from the factory like that? I'm looking at the sale photos from the dealer and it doesn't look skewed on the back of the boat - could the brackets on the transom be not centered, requiring the offset on the platform?

I really appreciate the this great community -- tons of knowledge and friendly help!

[Holdmybeer]

Sorry new to this thread but not new to fiberglass work or panel alignment.

Are you just re-attaching to all original hardware? Did you fill the old holes in the platform? Was the hull mounts all tight and undamaged?

If just re-attaching, see if you can prop up the platform on the mounts and center the platform with the hull not the brackets. If the brackets are installed on the hull skewed left or right then this a different problem you are not prepared to handle at this time.

Use saw horses, or anything to hold the platform so you can measure and adjust for center. Check wakeplate and other accessories for clearance. These could cause the reason for skewing to one side. After everything checks out, tape the bottom side of the platform to have a fresh surface and mark the holes and mounting brackets. Remove and drill marks for new screws. Transfer bracket outline to platform and remove tape and apply 5200 adhesive.

Replace platform is exact location you marked and insert screws. Do not tighten 1 at a time. Snug each one switching from left to right bracket so they pull evenly. Then final tighten. Wait 24hrs for 5200 to cure drink beer and clean up the mess and enjoy your summer

[996scott]

if the platform lines up correctly on the boat then put the brackets back on exactly where they were.

[sandm]

our brackets on the '06 were not equidistant on each side to the platform and were off by 1/2" on the bracket mounting "sleeves" on the back of the boat if you took a tape to each hull bracket to the outside of the boat. back in the day, skiers choice, and all boats for that matter, didn't have the best fit/finish out there. we had a lot of crooked pieces around the boat if you really started picking it apart. doesn't matter as long as you get rid of the "slop" and secure it solidly. we used stainless sheetmetal to create wedges to help fix the slop.

if it were me, install brackets on the boat, set platform on the boat where you want it. mark holes, remove all and install. if you slide the platform brackets into the hull brackets, iirc they are able to swing from side to side a few inches so there's quite a bit of play in them.

sure you did this already but if those are the original brackets, check for cracks or issues. those pot metal brackets on the platform are crap and I would bet getting replacements today would be even more difficult than I had back in '09. there were a couple different sizes back in the day and most dealers were clueless to this.
watch the pins as well. the other issue with them and the slop is that it'll wear out the holes at the bottom of the platform brackets where the pins go through to secure and they eventually bust out.