Swim Platforms

[ivanho]

Hey Folks,

I have a 2001 226 I bought last Spring.

My wife and I were around boats a bit growing up, but no experience as adults. With three young kids at home, we took the plunge.

I've struggled to contain the impulse to upgrade the boat, the trailer, or upgrade to a different boat.

One thing that bothers me is no extended swim platform on the 226. I know there are after-market products out there. I also recently saw a 1999 220 Cobalt with a newer Cobalt swim platform.

I'm curious what Cobalt swim platforms might be "compatible" with the 226, even if it means some modifications, though not necessarily made for the 226.

Here's the link to the older 220 with a newer swim platform: https://boats-from-usa.com/cobalt/cobal ... der-211074

[Lancer308]

I am wondering if it is possible to have the Cobalt Flip Step swim deck installed on my 262 model. Does anyone know roughly what the price would be from a Cobalt dealer for the add on?

[skno]

Ivanho,

Do you know where I can purchase a swim platform like yours?

[AsLan7]

Hey Folks,

I have a 2001 226 I bought last Spring.

My wife and I were around boats a bit growing up, but no experience as adults. With three young kids at home, we took the plunge.

I've struggled to contain the impulse to upgrade the boat, the trailer, or upgrade to a different boat.

One thing that bothers me is no extended swim platform on the 226. I know there are after-market products out there. I also recently saw a 1999 220 Cobalt with a newer Cobalt swim platform.

I'm curious what Cobalt swim platforms might be "compatible" with the 226, even if it means some modifications, though not necessarily made for the 226.

Here's the link to the older 220 with a newer swim platform: https://boats-from-usa.com/cobalt/cobal ... der-211074

.
Hey Ivanho....welcome to the CobaltChat forum. So glad you found us!

Have you tried swimplatforms.com? Here's the link to the 226 swim platform. Pic below.
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1.jpg

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I know Thunder550 added one to his 252 and is very satisfied with it.

Any pics of your 226?

Again welcome aboard mate!

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Welcome Cobalt Owner.jpg

[Lancer308]

Ok, so I found another chat area where a person actually bought the platform from Cobalt with flip step. Here is the process of installing himself:
Here is the abbreviated process I went through to add the deck-
1) Ordered a swim deck for a later model 262 ($4000.00)(part #620253S)
2) Did a rough fit of the deck
3) Trimmed the deck to fit better
4) Rechecked the fit
5) Created a paper template for the strut
6) Created a wood template (same thickness as final)
7) Had a set of aluminum struts made ($300)
8) Added a light while the struts were being made ($10)
9) Drilled holes and bolted on the struts (Massive sweat- first hole is the toughest)
10) Bolted on the swim deck

[Mike in SC]

Well I'm impressed! I figured someone, somewhere would do this.

[Big Block Power]

I'm more surprised the dealer got cobalt to sell him one. I tried a few years ago in a 200 and couldn't get it.

[ivanho]

I don't understand why it would be so difficult to source a swim platform from a dealer.

While maybe not directly made for the older models, retrofitting seems fairly straightforward.

Both a 1999 220 and a 2001 262 with newer Cobalt OEM swim platforms.

I found a burned Cobalt going to auction. This thing really burned, but if you squint, I see a salvable swim platform.

https://www.salvagereseller.com/cars-fo ... er-RENO-NV

[AsLan7]

I don't understand why it would be so difficult to source a swim platform from a dealer.

While maybe not directly made for the older models, retrofitting seems fairly straightforward.

Both a 1999 220 and a 2001 262 with newer Cobalt OEM swim platforms.

I found a burned Cobalt going to auction. This thing really burned, but if you squint, I see a salvable swim platform.

https://www.salvagereseller.com/cars-fo ... er-RENO-NV

.
I'm squinting alright....in pain seeing that thing burned up.

[Big Block Power]

I don't understand why it would be so difficult to source a swim platform from a dealer.

While maybe not directly made for the older models, retrofitting seems fairly straightforward.

Both a 1999 220 and a 2001 262 with newer Cobalt OEM swim platforms.

I found a burned Cobalt going to auction. This thing really burned, but if you squint, I see a salvable swim platform.

https://www.salvagereseller.com/cars-fo ... er-RENO-NV

.
I'm squinting alright....in pain seeing that thing burned up.

Do you think they furor to turn the boat on after a gas stop? Ouch. Hope they all made it out ok.

Sorry but any Cobalt specific part after 7 years is next to impossible to get. If you hull number doesn't match they normally won't sell it to you.

[Lancer308]

Just a follow up. So I reached out to the gentleman that added the cobalt flip step swim platform. Here are more pictures. Notice the custom bracket he made. A local machine shop in his area created the stainless steel piece from his card board and then wood templates.

He also told me his dealer was helpful with getting the swim platform for his boat. I suspect this will vary from cobalt dealer to cobalt dealer.

[Big Block Power]

That's sweet. I tried to get our dealer to help source one and they said cobalt wouldn't let them sell it to me. I even had hin numbers it would fit and still no luck. Glad he found one to help out!

[AsLan7]

Just a follow up. So I reached out to the gentleman that added the cobalt flip step swim platform. Here are more pictures. Notice the custom bracket he made. A local machine shop in his area created the stainless steel piece from his card board and then wood templates.

He also told me his dealer was helpful with getting the swim platform for his boat. I suspect this will vary from cobalt dealer to cobalt dealer.

.
That looks like a 262. Great candidate for a platform…especially the drop down step version. A first for the site. Thanks for posting L308.

[Lancer308]

That is correct. This OEM cobalt flip step swim platform was placed on a 262.

[Krob1114]

Does it come the the $250 knob?