Troubleshooting hydraulic swim platform

(A25, A28, A36, A40)
B town
Ensign
Ensign
Posts: 13
Joined: Tue Jul 31, 2018 1:37 pm
Location: indiana
Contact:

Troubleshooting hydraulic swim platform

Post by B town »

Hello everyone. I'm new to the forum. I just sold my 2012 220 and upgraded to a 2013 A25! I absolutely love the boat! I need a little help troubleshooting a problem. My hydraulic swim platform goes up and down fine, but after I bring it up the starboard side will slip about an inch down. It will happen in 5-10minutes after bringing up or if I step on it. It doesn't affect the ride and gets on plane just fine but it bothers me. Any ideas?
I attached a pic of my new baby. Only 74 hours when I bought her.
Thanks in advance
IMG_3937.JPG
You do not have the required permissions to view the files attached to this post.
2013 A25
Volvo 8.1L 380hp
mtwbldr
Commander
Commander
Posts: 115
Joined: Wed Apr 18, 2018 8:52 am
Location: Houston, Tx
Contact:

Re: Troubleshooting hydraulic swim platform

Post by mtwbldr »

Welcome from Texas and congrats on your upgrade!
I've had this problem before and there are adjustment pieces under the platform. they are bolts with a small circular trim piece that can raise and lower slightly to align the platform correctly. Keep in mind the nut is welded to the bracket so just need to loosen the bolt.
Hope this helps!
‘11 A25
Merc 8.2 mag 380HP
Bravo III
B town
Ensign
Ensign
Posts: 13
Joined: Tue Jul 31, 2018 1:37 pm
Location: indiana
Contact:

Re: Troubleshooting hydraulic swim platform

Post by B town »

Thanks! I'll take a look next time I'm down to the lake.
2013 A25
Volvo 8.1L 380hp
User avatar
cmattj
Admiral
Admiral
Posts: 3952
Joined: Fri Jun 02, 2017 2:52 pm
Location: Stockton, California
Contact:

Re: Troubleshooting hydraulic swim platform

Post by cmattj »

You mention the starboard side drops ? If you lower and raise it it then centers itself again? Then I worry the hydraulic ram has air or is purging back or worse. Leaking.

Can you get a pic of the pump and how many lines leave the pump? ( 2 or 4)
2008 272 , 496 HO fo SHO

California Delta
Table Rock Lake


#FARCON
B town
Ensign
Ensign
Posts: 13
Joined: Tue Jul 31, 2018 1:37 pm
Location: indiana
Contact:

Re: Troubleshooting hydraulic swim platform

Post by B town »

I’ll get pics next time at boat. It does usually re-center when I bring it up, but sometimes it comes up crooked and I have to lower again and bring back up.
Is the trim hydraulics on same system? I trailered the boat in June when I bought it and the trim did not fall during 12 hour trip.
2013 A25
Volvo 8.1L 380hp
User avatar
AsLan7
Fleet Admiral
Fleet Admiral
Posts: 10946
Joined: Sat Jul 29, 2017 10:58 am
Location: Erie PA
Contact:

Re: Troubleshooting hydraulic swim platform

Post by AsLan7 »

.
I’m not familiar with that swim platform system but it does sound like an adjustment mechanism like Matt mentioned.

In the meantime, I’ll say welcome aboard mate!
.
You do not have the required permissions to view the files attached to this post.
2002 Cobalt 262
&
2005 Cobalt 263
496 MagHO
(sold )
Erie, PA
Currently boatless (for now)
will fly for food

(CChat moderator)
User avatar
Big Block Power
Fleet Admiral
Fleet Admiral
Posts: 17904
Joined: Sat May 07, 2016 8:05 pm
Location: Neenah,Wi
Contact:

Re: Troubleshooting hydraulic swim platform

Post by Big Block Power »

cmattj wrote: Tue Jul 31, 2018 3:29 pm You mention the starboard side drops ? If you lower and raise it it then centers itself again? Then I worry the hydraulic ram has air or is purging back or worse. Leaking.

Can you get a pic of the pump and how many lines leave the pump? ( 2 or 4)
I was thinking the same thing. But if MTW had the same issue I would try his first.
Great looking boat.
03Cobalt220 8.1gxi DP
"Kids in Tow2"
"Pot The Jus" Originator :-)
Neenah Wi
#ItsBu'sfault
#FARCON Marine CC Core!
2ridgebacks
Captain
Captain
Posts: 250
Joined: Sun May 21, 2017 8:06 pm
Location: Southern Indiana
Contact:

Re: Troubleshooting hydraulic swim platform

Post by 2ridgebacks »

It is a known problem that those platform bolts get loose and can fall out. I had to replace one. I’m thinking that there is a bushing inside the arms. You might pull the bolts one at a time and see what’s under the washer. Again, I think there is a bushing. You may be missing one. I check my bolts regularly.
Welcome from Southern In. Where do you boat?
2012 A25
Volvo 8.1 400hp
B town
Ensign
Ensign
Posts: 13
Joined: Tue Jul 31, 2018 1:37 pm
Location: indiana
Contact:

Re: Troubleshooting hydraulic swim platform

Post by B town »

Thanks 2ridgebacks. Live in Indy but boat on Monroe. I’ve been boating there since I was a kid! I’m unfortunately working this weekend so wife will be down on her own. I’ll have to wait to look at it next weekend
2013 A25
Volvo 8.1L 380hp
2ridgebacks
Captain
Captain
Posts: 250
Joined: Sun May 21, 2017 8:06 pm
Location: Southern Indiana
Contact:

Re: Troubleshooting hydraulic swim platform

Post by 2ridgebacks »

Did you get a chance to check it out?
2012 A25
Volvo 8.1 400hp
B town
Ensign
Ensign
Posts: 13
Joined: Tue Jul 31, 2018 1:37 pm
Location: indiana
Contact:

Re: Troubleshooting hydraulic swim platform

Post by B town »

Yes. It’s definitely the bolts that are causing the alignment problem. I can’t work on them while boat is on lift. I’ll need to pull her out to fix. I’ll update when I do. Thanks for all the help!
2013 A25
Volvo 8.1L 380hp
Jankramer
Ensign
Ensign
Posts: 1
Joined: Mon Jun 03, 2019 6:30 pm
Contact:

Re: Troubleshooting hydraulic swim platform

Post by Jankramer »

I live in holand i have the same problem with a cobalt A25 2011.
I am at the max alignment. And it still hangs to the back.
I think There is a electric switch that must ajust better.
The right hydraulic cilinder needs to pull a little bit more and it is strait.
Maybe someone have the same problem and has a solution
User avatar
AsLan7
Fleet Admiral
Fleet Admiral
Posts: 10946
Joined: Sat Jul 29, 2017 10:58 am
Location: Erie PA
Contact:

Re: Troubleshooting hydraulic swim platform

Post by AsLan7 »

Jankramer wrote: Fri Jul 05, 2019 4:21 pm I live in holand i have the same problem with a cobalt A25 2011.
I am at the max alignment. And it still hangs to the back.
I think There is a electric switch that must ajust better.
The right hydraulic cilinder needs to pull a little bit more and it is strait.
Maybe someone have the same problem and has a solution
.
Hey JK. Welcome to the Cobaltchat forum. So glad you found us from Holland!

Sorry to hear about your electric swim platform alignment issues. Does your Cobalt owner’s manual talk about any adjustments?

Again welcome aboard mate!


.
You do not have the required permissions to view the files attached to this post.
2002 Cobalt 262
&
2005 Cobalt 263
496 MagHO
(sold )
Erie, PA
Currently boatless (for now)
will fly for food

(CChat moderator)
B town
Ensign
Ensign
Posts: 13
Joined: Tue Jul 31, 2018 1:37 pm
Location: indiana
Contact:

Re: Troubleshooting hydraulic swim platform

Post by B town »

Here is a late follow up. After adjusting my bolts thought I had it fixed. Problem recurred this year. Turns out my right hydraulic ram was bad. That is why that side would drop. The left ram was holding up the entire platform. Replaced and all works well now.
2013 A25
Volvo 8.1L 380hp
User avatar
AsLan7
Fleet Admiral
Fleet Admiral
Posts: 10946
Joined: Sat Jul 29, 2017 10:58 am
Location: Erie PA
Contact:

Re: Troubleshooting hydraulic swim platform

Post by AsLan7 »

B town wrote: Mon Jul 08, 2019 10:45 am Here is a late follow up. After adjusting my bolts thought I had it fixed. Problem recurred this year. Turns out my right hydraulic ram was bad. That is why that side would drop. The left ram was holding up the entire platform. Replaced and all works well now.
.
Thanks for the follow-up BT! :)

.
2002 Cobalt 262
&
2005 Cobalt 263
496 MagHO
(sold )
Erie, PA
Currently boatless (for now)
will fly for food

(CChat moderator)
Post Reply

Who is online

Users browsing this forum: No registered users and 1 guest