Swim platform not secure

[dukhnter8]

Having an issue with my swim platform on a 2001 StarCraft superfisherman. One of the bolts on the swim platform is not holding any longer. I tried a bigger bolt but they just keep pulling out when you put any weight on it.

 

I cannot get to the inside of the area due to a support on transom and wall on storage area. So putting a bolt with nut on the end will not help.

 

Any ideas to secure it? Drill out bigger and put a new lag bolt? I've tried stainless but they seem to get chewed up trying to put any tightness to it, would a regular steel bolt work?

TIA

[Xxx]

I would be more concerned as to why it pulled out to begin with and why the next size up didn't solve the issue. Maybe a soft transom board? I hope I'm wrong for your sake!!

[Gill-T]

You need to have a transom plate or in the very least large fender washer support with a lock nut to hold.  My guess is when you tried to go to a larger bolt, the nut fell off the bolt.  DO NOT USE SCREWS TO SUPPORT ANYTHING WITH FIBERGLASS......everything should be bolted if there is any load on the item.

[dukhnter8]

It's an aluminum boat not fiberglass, swim platform was lag bolted in. I am trying to lag bolt it to the transom and the bolts just seem to pull out. I cannot get a bolt with a nut on it inside the boat where the bolt comes into the boat is between a support and a storage wall.

 

The wood seems a little soft in between the aluminum, which I may take the transom apart next summer and replace the wood. But for now would like a fix.

[Gill-T]

There is no fix for a soft transom other than replacement.