Swim Platform Hit the Outdrive and Props.

[Kariedan44]

I have an R33 and while we were out this weekend, anchored in shallow water. I trimmed up and then lowered the swim platform. When lowering the the swim platform it hit and damaged the exhaust and bent two blades on the outermost props. All of this from lowering the swim platform? Seriously, there isn't anything to stop you from doing this much damage. There isn't a limit switch on the swim platform or anything of the sort? I can't be the only person to have ever done this. I have pics if anyone has a answer.

[mdadgar]

My A25 will automatically trim the outdrive down before it will lower the swim platform. I would have assumed that the bigger R boats would do the same?

Seems like a call to the dealer is in order!

[bruceb58]

On my R5, if you lower the platform with the engine tilted up, it may have interference with the prop but as long as you don't turn on the engine and put the drive in gear, you will not damage the props. When I lower my platform, I make sure I rotate the outer prop by hand so it doesn't hit the platform.

[AsLan7]

I have an R33 and while we were out this weekend, anchored in shallow water. I trimmed up and then lowered the swim platform. When lowering the the swim platform it hit and damaged the exhaust and bent two blades on the outermost props. All of this from lowering the swim platform? Seriously, there isn't anything to stop you from doing this much damage. There isn't a limit switch on the swim platform or anything of the sort? I can't be the only person to have ever done this. I have pics if anyone has a answer.

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So glad you found us k44. And that sounds like a poor design if that’s truly the case.

Any pics of this occurrence? Possible insurance coverage. May be worth checking.

And welcome aboard mate.

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[Kariedan44]

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image_123650292.JPG

[Kariedan44]

Here are a few pics of the damage to the exhaust. The prop had one blade slightly bent, not pictured.

[NautiWeasel]

After looking at your pictures, I can see how this would happen. When I read your first post, I didn't think that would be possible because my swim platform doesn't come nearly close enough to my props even when all the way trimmed up. Now that I see you have twins, I'm thinking that because you have twin engines/out drives, that they must be just a bit higher up from the keel that it becomes possible to touch the swim platform when in the down position.
That stinks, and looks like it won't be a cheap fix to have to purchase 2 new outdrives.

[R33-NH]

Had the same thing recently. Backing put of my dock, water super low, so trimmed way up. Horrible sound like I hit a rock with props. It happened again 20secs later, but in deep water. I've noticed my hydraulic swim platform doesn't snug up all the way on the starboard side and once I got in water, the closest prop was dinged. I have to go back to check the platform and confirm. Crazy.

[CobaltDeadHead]

Is this just an R33 issue or have people had this problem with other hydraulic platforms?

A25
A28
A29
R30
R33
R35

Those all have them

[JC522]

No hydraulics, but the prop on my R4 will hit the deployed swim step if the sterndrive is trimmed up any more than 50%.

[Kariedan44]

Is this just an R33 issue or have people had this problem with other hydraulic platforms?

A25
A28
A29
R30
R33
R35

Those all have them

[/My platform is a hydraulic platform. I'm not sure how this would occur otherwise but it's possible.]

[BRDad]

It's a really poor design and very easy to do unless you double / triple check each time the step is lowered.

[R33-NH]

UPDATE:
This is hard to believe, but the prop did not hit the swim platform, but rather the trim tab! No one could believe it was possible.
Not bashing Cobalt here. This boat has been amazing and this is going to get covered. Obviously, this should be impossible. Just a word of warning to any R33 owners that if you're trimmed way up and steering all the way to either side it is possible to contact your trim tab. The guys at the dealership were like "100% impossible" when I floated this as a possibility and the guy I spoke to at the mothership said he'd been there 8 years and has never heard of it happening.

Screenshot_1.png

[AsLan7]

UPDATE:
This is hard to believe, but the prop did not hit the swim platform, but rather the trim tab! No one could believe it was possible.
Not bashing Cobalt here. This boat has been amazing and this is going to get covered. Obviously, this should be impossible. Just a word of warning to any R33 owners that if you're trimmed way up and steering all the way to either side it is possible to contact your trim tab. The guys at the dealership were like "100% impossible" when I floated this as a possibility and the guy I spoke to at the mothership said he'd been there 8 years and has never heard of it happening.

Screenshot_1.png

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So glad you found us R33….
Amazing to believe Cobalt would design this inherent defect. Were the trim tabs added by a third party after delivery?

Thanks for the pic.

And welcome aboard mate.

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[R33-NH]

Tabs came installed on new boat. Sounds like they're going to be talking to Volvo about it...