2004 220 swim ladder broke

[Foxcroft007]

Not really sure what to do about this. The is a stop on the back of the ladder that keeps the telescoping ladder from bending back too far. The stop broke off and then the stress on the step resting on the remnant of the stop and dented the tube. The dent is preventing the lower step from retracting. Not sure I explained that well. Sorry no pics but will try to take one tomorrow. Any idea where to get a replacement ladder? I still have the parts...the stop would need to be welded back on and I’d have to figure out a way to get the dent out of the top tube so the temps can retract properly. At any rate, any ideas how to repair or replace...much appreciated.

[AsLan7]

.
Hey F007.

Sorry to hear about your 220 ladder woes. I had a similar situation that I finally got fixed last month. Our ladder is different from yours. You may want to try greatlakesskipper.com for your ladder.

With ours, there was a weld that had never been repaired when we had purchased the boat a few years ago. One side of the ladder stop supported the entire weight of the person and ladder due to one of the welds that had broken free on the ladder stop. I had a professional welder bang the stop back into place and reinforce both sides with welds last month.

.

[Foxcroft007]

I have all of the pieces so I may try to have it welded. Is there something special about welding stainless? Not sure if the dent can be fixed but if so I may be able to fix what I have. Wish I could fit a new style flip down swim platform.

[AsLan7]

I have all of the pieces so I may try to have it welded. Is there something special about welding stainless? Not sure if the dent can be fixed but if so I may be able to fix what I have. Wish I could fit a new style flip down swim platform.

.
The welder will know how to weld stainless. The biggest issue is how hot it gets. We took the ladder off so the rubber would not melt. We were able to leave the stop on the fiberglass.

.

[SAB220]

it’s not welding Stainless Steel (SS), the issue is if it’s the tubing that needs welding. The flip down swim platform tubing is sort-of thin wall SS. As you suggested, I would just find a welder, pack-up parts and see what s/he says. As a matter of fact, suggest you might find a backup welding shop in case your 1st choice is too busy, not interested, or the job is too small. Pictures would be great so I can look at mine.

FYI - I just installed a portable umbrella on the stern for my 2004 220. Even rests on the Bimini top. Pretty neat rain or shine. The SS umbrella adapter goes over the ski pylon. The adapter is made by welding two SS tubes together, but these tubes have a little thicker tube wall then the swim deck stairs.

Let us know how yow make out, good luck

[Big Block Power]

it’s not welding Stainless Steel (SS), the issue is if it’s the tubing that needs welding. The flip down swim platform tubing is sort-of thin wall SS. As you suggested, I would just find a welder, pack-up parts and see what s/he says. As a matter of fact, suggest you might find a backup welding shop in case your 1st choice is too busy, not interested, or the job is too small. Pictures would be great so I can look at mine.

FYI - I just installed a portable umbrella on the stern for my 2004 220. Even rests on the Bimini top. Pretty neat rain or shine. The SS umbrella adapter goes over the ski pylon. The adapter is made by welding two SS tubes together, but these tubes have a little thicker tube wall then the swim deck stairs.

Let us know how yow make out, good luck

FYI you didn't post pictures of this umbrella!!!

So OP where do you live. If you can find a custom tube bending / welding shop they can fix that tube! Don't ask me how I know

[SAB220]

BBP - you were out on the boat when I posted. Umbrella's were a hot topic a year ago, people promised to fabricate...if you remember...never happened. This is the best, cheapest, boat mod I've done....exception of the radio and that wasn't cheap.

viewtopic.php?f=28&t=4179But you

keep this thread for the swim deck ladder... would like to see what broke

[Big Block Power]

BBP - you were out on the boat when I posted. Umbrella's were a hot topic a year ago, people promised to fabricate...if you remember...never happened. This is the best, cheapest, boat mod I've done....exception of the radio and that wasn't cheap.

viewtopic.php?f=28&t=4179But you

keep this thread for the swim deck ladder... would like to see what broke

Got ya thanks!!

[Foxcroft007]

Somewhat old thread but I do have an update. I was able to remove the ladder while the boat was on the lift (over the water). That was no fun but I didn’t drop anything. You can’t believe how many little pieces there are. I too latter to a welder and he did take off the rubber pad and did a nice job putting it back together. It looked like it was barely tacked originally. So far so good. The issue then was the dent in the big tube preventing the smaller tube from retracting.

I tried heating and quick cooling, dent popper, etc with no luck. Finally I decided to drill a hole opposite the dent and beat it out with a steel rod inserted in the hole. It worked.

Then back to the boat and installed the ladder. Managed not to drop anything in the water but I did install the lock backwards so had to redo that. All seems fine now.

[AsLan7]

Somewhat old thread but I do have an update. I was able to remove the ladder while the boat was on the lift (over the water). That was no fun but I didn’t drop anything. You can’t believe how many little pieces there are. I too latter to a welder and he did take off the rubber pad and did a nice job putting it back together. It looked like it was barely tacked originally. So far so good. The issue then was the dent in the big tube preventing the smaller tube from retracting.

I tried heating and quick cooling, dent popper, etc with no luck. Finally I decided to drill a hole opposite the dent and beat it out with a steel rod inserted in the hole. It worked.

Then back to the boat and installed the ladder. Managed not to drop anything in the water but I did install the lock backwards so had to redo that. All seems fine now.

.
Hey nice job F007! Thanks for the follow up too.
Do you have a pic of the completed work?
.

[Foxcroft007]

I’ll get some this weekend.

[SAB220]

Did you do any maintenance to the ladder itself? Take the ladder itself physically apart after you disconnect it from the mount? Does the upper and lower section come apart?

For me, after pulling it out and extending the ladder then stepping on it ...mine doesn't want to collapse unless I force it. As a result, most times it gets stored un-collapsed and sticks out 6-9" and if the dock hits it I''ll lose the ladder.

[Foxcroft007]

You can’t take the upper and lower sections apart unless you cut them. Mine was very hard to collapse but the welder lubricated the ladder and it is much easier to collapse now. I also suspect the additional hole in the ladder that I drilled to pound out the dent helps. The Original hole that lets water out of the ladder is quite small. I think water can’t get out of the top tube quickly enough when trying to collapse so the second hole I drilled may give water a second path to exit.

[SAB220]

Thank you for that great information. I'll look for the hole when I dissemble the ladder from the mount I'm afraid when "they" force the ladder it will become bent or break an old weld.

If you can't take it apart, I' wonder what a good lubricant would be to flow into the ladder and not be soluble (dissolve) in water. Anything the welder used, I would imagine, would be gone by next season. As part of maintenance, I (we) should lubricate the ladder once per season.

Any choice lubricant, I would think would come in a spray can. Have to think about what kind. As you know the ladder is basically at or below the water line and continually get splashed (circulated) with water. I also don't want to pollute the lake with a sheen of oil coming from my ladder. Maybe somebody has a idea for a good lubricant...

[SAB220]

I sent CDC industries sales an email. I'm thinking a sailboat deck equipment lubricant may be the best, but most are dry. Any water "resistance" spray will be gone within a week. I'm also thinking installing a ladder grease fitting for waterproof grease on the backside of the ladder maybe the only solution. I have to show my local Cobalt dealer an item I need (tower knobs) ...I guess I'll include the ladder.