2017 R35 Swim Platform Falls off, 3 times

[Lockey14s]

Factory re-engineering the boat (e.g, designing a new swim platform) is asking a lot, but I feel like someone’s going to have to cook up a bolt-on fix. I'm pretty happy to hear that Cobalt hauled it back to Kansas the first time you had problems to see what they could find - you won't find that kind of service from many other boat manufacturers.

I wonder if the swim platform could be separated by a gap from the boat (just an inch or so) to help it drain, or add some other drainage (holes? mesh somewhere?) to reduce the stress from high waves? Using it in a stressful environment may require some unusual solution.

Do you have pictures by chance? Thanks,

John

It would be nice to see some pictures and to see the actual failure point. It would be strange if Cobalt hauled the boat back to the factory and all they did was replace the original hardware. I do think Cobalt should step up to the plate and help him out and come up with a permanent fix, or a compromise on something, rather than just say its out of warranty. I just dont put faith in any company, no matter how good they are to their customers, to resolve an issue like this.

I was just giving my apparently "ridiculous" opinion on how I would deal with the situation. Im a hands on guy and if something failed 3 times that was factory made, then I am definitely coming up with a fix on my own. Fly me out to lake tahoe, ill analyze it and come up with a solution

[Norris_Boating]

Factory re-engineering the boat (e.g, designing a new swim platform) is asking a lot, but I feel like someone’s going to have to cook up a bolt-on fix. I'm pretty happy to hear that Cobalt hauled it back to Kansas the first time you had problems to see what they could find - you won't find that kind of service from many other boat manufacturers.

I wonder if the swim platform could be separated by a gap from the boat (just an inch or so) to help it drain, or add some other drainage (holes? mesh somewhere?) to reduce the stress from high waves? Using it in a stressful environment may require some unusual solution.

Do you have pictures by chance? Thanks,

John

It would be nice to see some pictures and to see the actual failure point. It would be strange if Cobalt hauled the boat back to the factory and all they did was replace the original hardware. I do think Cobalt should step up to the plate and help him out and come up with a permanent fix, or a compromise on something, rather than just say its out of warranty. I just dont put faith in any company, no matter how good they are to their customers, to resolve an issue like this.

I was just giving my apparently "ridiculous" opinion on how I would deal with the situation. Im a hands on guy and if something failed 3 times that was factory made, then I am definitely coming up with a fix on my own. Fly me out to lake tahoe, ill analyze it and come up with a solution

I totally agree with you, though I would still press for a fix from cobalt I would not necessarily expect it. As you mentioned I would definitely be looking for a more permanent fix then seeing if cobalt will cover some or all of the cost.
Maybe instead of money they will give you those bow filler cushions you have always wanted or a table or something to cover your costs of repair. At this point I would definitely be trying to think outside the box.

[Moses]

Thanks again for your replies, comments and links. I really appreciate it.

I've added a few pictures of our R35. One image shows the boat as it returned from Cobalt in Kansas with 'the fix'. The other images show some of the damage from the platform failure. These are expensive fixes and we hope to work with Cobalt to resolve this issue. It's unacceptable given this damage repeated after the dealer and factory fixes. 3 failures in the 1st 4 years with this boat, and we have minimal hrs on the boat, only 74 hrs total.

Cobalt is well aware of Lake Tahoe and its climate and characteristics. They have many Cobalts on this Lake. The owners of West Coast Boats are also well aware-in fact the owner/dealer lives on Lake Front property just a few miles from our buoy field. Before we bought this R35 we made sure it wasn't too big for our buoy and West Coast assured us that the R35 will be fine. Cobalt & West Coast Boats wanted an R35 on the Lake.We were given no hesitations or warnings from Cobalt or West Coast Boats, either verbally or in writing, nothing in owners manual, no labeling, nothing to warn us about mooring the R35 to a buoy. And they certainly didn't tell us the Tahoe's normal chop of the water or an afternoon gust of wind could bring this swim platform down after each summer. They should know better than us what the limitations of their product is so we hold both Cobalt and West Coast Boats accountable.

Cobalt was so certain of their fix that they extended their warranty for us for all of our troubles. And now they say it's not a warranty issue. We believe it is a design issue. By the way, we're on our 3rd Sure Shade too--that's another design error! In addition we've replaced the 3 batteries on board 4 times-embarrassing issues with friends and family watching us in distress on this beautiful boat.

The engineers really need to redesign this swim platform. This is unacceptable for the amount of money we paid. If this is happening to us it will happen to someone else. The CEOs of Malibu & Cobalt Boats need to step up to the plate and MAKE GOOD.We need them to respond to us. Any help you can give us is really appreciated. Thanks!

[Norris_Boating]

Question, what is the solution you are looking for?
Used boat prices and trade in values are really high right now, could be an advantage to you.
If it isn't a warranty issue has cobalt listed a reason for failure?

Is this the picture of the point of connection to the boat? I am shocked that is just the corner, what does the hinged bar connect?
That must be some immense pressure to snap the fiberglass like that.

[Big Block Power]

How deep was the water where it fell in. I take it some duvets went down to get it. Surprised they could find it.
It did some damage. It would suck to see a formula parked in the parking lot of Cobalt next to the r35 they would stand behind. Just saying. I
Hope and really think they will make it right by you. Call Shane! Don't stop till he gives you the answer you want. Maybe Yt can give him a yell he became buds with him. Lol or Kate next to him could help you out or Jax Wil bite Shane's ankles!

[Moses]

Our R35 is moored about 100' from shore in about 20-25' of water. Ha! Yes, we have Formulas in our buoy field and plenty of Cobalts.

[slideruleracer]

That's horrible on many levels, but maybe the biggest one is that the repair quote is $12-$14K.

It looks like all of the attachments to the boat and to the swim platform are sound and only the linkage pins are failing. If those brackets are aluminum, a local shop should be able to remake in Stainless and then come up with some VERY robust pins that can withstand the forces involved. Honestly, Cobalt should be pretty embarrassed by this because it's a pretty easy fix. The fiberglass looks repairable on the swim platform so that's reusable. But when I zoom in on the size of the thread that appears to be holding the Pivot pin/bushing to the linkage that is still attached to the platform, it's pathetically small. Furthermore, it's threaded into the bracket directly, which appears to be aluminum? Maybe not, hard to tell for sure, but either way, I would have through-bolted that pivot pin with something much larger than what appears to be a 1/4" or 5/16" thread.

[Big Block Power]

That's horrible on many levels, but maybe the biggest one is that the repair quote is $12-$14K.

It looks like all of the attachments to the boat and to the swim platform are sound and only the linkage pins are failing. If those brackets are aluminum, a local shop should be able to remake in Stainless and then come up with some VERY robust pins that can withstand the forces involved. Honestly, Cobalt should be pretty embarrassed by this because it's a pretty easy fix. The fiberglass looks repairable on the swim platform so that's reusable. But when I zoom in on the size of the thread that appears to be holding the Pivot pin/bushing to the linkage that is still attached to the platform, it's pathetically small. Furthermore, it's threaded into the bracket directly, which appears to be aluminum? Maybe not, hard to tell for sure, but either way, I would have through-bolted that pivot pin with something much larger than what appears to be a 1/4" or 5/16" thread.

It also banged up the lower unit. If they replaced the drive their is most of your cost as well.

[slideruleracer]

Oh, I missed that! I was so focused on the root cause. Good point BB - that lower unit casting would get pricey. OK, I concede that the cost is *less* exaggerated than I thought. If it were mine, I'd at least take a shot at trying to straighten it out before laying out the $$ to replace the casting. That port is just exhaust and the top surface is largey non functional, I think so worst case you could cut off the bent portion and weld it back on leaving the exhaust port open. Just sayin..

[sunsetarrow]

Any one else experience this issue on Tahoe? I am thinking of getting a boat with big swim platform and this post is making me nervous about it.
Moses...was you buoy well protected or was it in an area with some rough waters? Some of the coves are better protected.

Thanks

[Big Block Power]

Any one else experience this issue on Tahoe? I am thinking of getting a boat with big swim platform and this post is making me nervous about it.
Moses...was you buoy well protected or was it in an area with some rough waters? Some of the coves are better protected.

Thanks

I don't know that Lake at all. Others on here will. But I'm guessing that it is not protected at all.

[AsLan7]

Any one else experience this issue on Tahoe? I am thinking of getting a boat with big swim platform and this post is making me nervous about it.
Moses...was you buoy well protected or was it in an area with some rough waters? Some of the coves are better protected.

Thanks

.
Hey SSA. So glad you found us!

This thread is certainly concerning. Hopefully Moses will chime in with an update.

Are you a current Cobalt owner?

And welcome aboard mate!

.

[Lifelongbtr]

If you’re going to have to put up some $, it’s probably best spent on a lawyer and a specialist that can pin point the failure so Cobalt can buy your new Formula. Isn’t there a lemon law for boats too?

If a boat can sit on a buoy for 10+ seasons with no issues across many brands (look around Tahoe), a Cobalt should be able to handle. How is this any different than being anchored? Is there a time limit on anchoring?