Swim Platform Capacity

[marlinmikea]

Any idea of the capacity of the swim platform on a 1997 350 Mariner?
Are these platforms just glasses on over the transom as I can't seem to see any hollowed areas from the inside (engine compartment)?

 

[RamSport47]

Mike,
The platform is a moulded in unit to both the hull and deck molds. I'm not sure of the capacity, but the depth of it doesn't lend to much of anything of size.

 

[rduhon]

I have a friend with a 32 ft. Mariner. He has had 4 men standing on it, telling him how to work on his generator.
They failed to get it started, but the swim platform held up good. I was worried about it, but they were not.

 

[Maxwell]

Hi Marlinmike, We are looking to add a dinghy to our 2000 350 Mariner over the winter and I asked this question to Carver and received the below response from the local dealer that they forwarded it to. Really more of a sales pitch than useful information... Read from the bottom. Have you had any luck?
>>
Hi Max,
The weight limit is so you can pull the boat up on the swimplatform. We sell inflatables here at very competitive pricing and would like to offer you a package deal.
Adam is our parts manager and can show you many different possibilities.
I’m looking forward to working with you.

Darin Stein

From: Max Strycker
Sent: Monday, October 12, 2009 10:49 AM
To: Darin Stein
Subject: Re: Carver: Carver: Contact Service

Thanks Darin,

I understand we want to find the lightest dinghy/motor combination possible however as we look for one is there a weight limit that we should stay under?

On Mon, Oct 12, 2009 at 10:20 AM, Darin Stein wrote:

Hi Max,
We use Weaver davit systems and if we keep our eyes open we probably will
have a 350 in storage this winter that we did already. Let me know when you
are pulling out and I'll try and be here to discuss your options.

Thank you,

Request Type: Carver: Contact Service
Date/Time: 10/12/2009 10:37:03 AM
Source: carveryachts.com
Industry: Boats
Good day,

At the beginning of this summer we purchased a used 2000 350 Mariner. I am looking at attaching davits to the swim platform
for an inflatable dinghy. Do you have any sort of suggested weight
restriction for this boat? Is attaching a dinghy to the swim platform of
this model a normal and acceptable practice? Any advice you can offer with
regard to this is greatly appreciated.

max

 

[marlinmikea]

I got the following response from Carver today via email:

You should be OK with up to 700 lbs. peak on your swim platform.
I would not carry beyond 450 lbs.for a sustained period. i.e. Dingy storage.

Randy Peterson
Manager Propulsion and Systems Engineering Genmar Yacht Group Office 920-822-7282

 

[Maxwell]

Excellent. Thank you for sharing.

Are you looking into a dinghy? If so have you explored different davit systems etc.?

 

[marlinmikea]

Max,
I have been looking at davits - both for my dingy and for my outboard.
Since my 58 year old back ain't what it used to me I am going to design a lifting davit for my Honda 15hp (100#). All the lifting davits that are for sale seem to be too elaborate and too expensive for what I need (basically a pole with an arm and block & tackle).
As far as the davit for the boat, I've always liked the Roskelley/Olsson because you can leave the motor on and stuff in the boat, but I have an air deck as I don't always take my dingy with me (they are lighter to foldup and carry). You have to attach a lifting harness for the Roskelley/Olsson and I haven't found a harness that works good with air decks. So now I'm looking at the Hurley - a kind of slide on system.
In either system my big concern is backing plates and how to install them in my hollow swim platform. May have to cut inspection plates - don't know. I'll talk with my mechanic about it when we haul this winter and paint the bottom. This guy is a genius. It's nice to have someone you can really trust, does excellent work and doesn't charge an arm and a leg (and has a dry dock about 150' from my slip).