Protect Fiberglass Platform

[TxJole]

I have had a related issue that I'll throw out here. On my '09 210 the Sano pad had become very hard and brittle, so due to what a few others on here have done, I decided to replace mine with SeaDek. But what had also happened to my platform is I had about six large nicks or small divets in the fiberglass in the raised 1" wide area between the 7 separate pads. At first I assumed that these were caused by wakeboard fins. So my delemma was, do I just fill them with gel coat and replace the pads, or do I put a thin filler material in where the pads were and raise the whole thing level and stick a one piece pad on the platform? I prefer the original looks so I started to fill the small holes with gel coat patch. As I was working on this and looking very closely, I found about a dozen small short hair-line cracks. When I pushed on these with my finger nail the gel coat would pop out or crack, exposing another small hole. This tripled my work and I wonder if more will show up over time.
I just finished the project and it looks great (pictures coming soon). But what I think I had was a defective platform with lots of small air pockets or voids just below a very thin coat of gel coat. Wakeboard fins were not taking out chunks or creating these 1/8 to 3/8" across and 1/8" deep holes. I always loved the look of teak, but have now converted and prefer the fiberglass. But there is something to be said for teak and how durable it is and easy to coat with teak oil.

Mine had the same small blisters on the platform. I used a gel coat patch in DULL white.

[Paublo]

I have had a related issue that I'll throw out here. On my '09 210 the Sano pad had become very hard and brittle, so due to what a few others on here have done, I decided to replace mine with SeaDek. But what had also happened to my platform is I had about six large nicks or small divets in the fiberglass in the raised 1" wide area between the 7 separate pads. At first I assumed that these were caused by wakeboard fins. So my delemma was, do I just fill them with gel coat and replace the pads, or do I put a thin filler material in where the pads were and raise the whole thing level and stick a one piece pad on the platform? I prefer the original looks so I started to fill the small holes with gel coat patch. As I was working on this and looking very closely, I found about a dozen small short hair-line cracks. When I pushed on these with my finger nail the gel coat would pop out or crack, exposing another small hole. This tripled my work and I wonder if more will show up over time.

I just finished the project and it looks great (pictures coming soon). But what I think I had was a defective platform with lots of small air pockets or voids just below a very thin coat of gel coat. Wakeboard fins were not taking out chunks or creating these 1/8 to 3/8" across and 1/8" deep holes. I always loved the look of teak, but have now converted and prefer the fiberglass. But there is something to be said for teak and how durable it is and easy to coat with teak oil.

[TxJole]

Fiberglass platform scratches can be buffed or sanded off, which is actually less work than refurbing teak - at least in my opinion. My '06 had a teak platform, and I was personally way happier with glass versions on my later models. I guess it's a personal decision on which you feel looks better, but don't let the maintanence thing sway you.

I agree every once in awhile I pull out the buffer and hit it with some super light rubbing compound and everything gone. Most of the time I don't even need the buffer just do it by hand.

[swc5150]

Fiberglass platform scratches can be buffed or sanded off, which is actually less work than refurbing teak - at least in my opinion. My '06 had a teak platform, and I was personally way happier with glass versions on my later models. I guess it's a personal decision on which you feel looks better, but don't let the maintanence thing sway you.

[tke104]

I'm interested in this as well. Colored platforms definitely show scratches from people sliding off. Does anyone put a clear protectant over the edges, similar to the 3m film I've seen people put on the deck stripe of a 200?

[gride]

A transom saver I.e. little raised piece closest to the boat, is more important than worrying about scratches from sliding off. I've never seen one on a fiber glass platform, but I have on teak.

[TxJole]

And you leave it on while using the boat?

I had a platform cover made and re-enforced on the leading edged. A couple cross straps or snaps and you can run with it on. Cost me about 80.00 locally to have made.

[ATTACH=CONFIG]16799[/ATTACH]

[CradGen2]

Cover

I had a platform cover made and re-enforced on the leading edged. A couple cross straps or snaps and you can run with it on. Cost me about 80.00 locally to have made.

[robertsmcfarland]

your fiberglass platform will show scratches , that's one of the reasons I all ways replace with teak ,teak you just re.oil the edges and bamm! new again, just think. would you slide off the fender of your car and not expect some scratches i feel its personnel preference, I will replace-on the G23 with teak. ,

[seth]

The fiberglass platforms take the abuse just as good as the teak.

[vision]

Thanks, but mine is a 2012.

[s_kelley2000]

What year SAN? Would you be interested in working out a trade for a teak one? Not sure they would be compatable but I have a 99 SS.

[vision]

My SAN will come with a fiberglass platform. I have always had teak platforms and never worry about riders sliding off the platform with a board as the teak certainly takes the abuse. But I can not see the fiberglass platform lasting long before it has some significant damage.

Besides telling folks not to slide off the platform, is their a tough enough film or other method folks use to protect the leading edge of a fiberglass platform? I will probably just swap the fiberglass platform for a homemade teak platform. But perhaps there is a simple way to protect the fiberglass that I am missing? Thanks.