Another FAE install -- With an odd occurrence

[Jeff T]

Well, about a year after I purchased it, I finally got my FAE installed. It was slow going, but we finally knocked it out. I can't wait to get the boat on the water. A couple of pictures are below.

There was a somewhat odd thing happened though. I drilled out a countersink hole on the bottom side of the platform to allow for the welded end of the bolt between the platform bracket and platform and then re-installed the platform. About 5 minutes later, start feeling water running down my neck. I look up and water is dripping out of the bottom of the platform. It wasn't where I drilled. It was right on the edge of outline of the metal plate inside the platform on the starboard side. Then about 15 minutes later, the port side started dripping...although not as much as the starboard side. PIcs below.

I'm not sure if I should be concerned about this. It could be normal...I wouldn't know.

[Iwndr]

Nice job on the FAE Jeff
On the water drips maybe as the platforms are not completely finished they could hold water in some internal cavities

[majestic]

Still one of my best upgrades. The only issue I had was it made the boat so quiet that I started hearing squeaks and rattles that I never heard before.

[ajholt7]

You drained the platform ballast.

[Jeffe]

My FAE just showed up in the mail...Now I need to get my boat back to install it.

[Guapo]

Here are a few pics from my install. I must not have gotten the swim platform ballast option though! Some of the pics are during the install.

[petrey10]

I really want to do this upgrade to my boat.... has to wait till I get my new wakeboard, and finish installing my stereo

[talltigeguy]

Guapo,

How did you mount the crossbar to the swim platform brackets...looks almost like you put a square hole in the platform bracket and slid the support crossbar through it instead of bolting it through the horizontal portion of the platform bracket. ?

[Guapo]

Guapo,

How did you mount the crossbar to the swim platform brackets...looks almost like you put a square hole in the platform bracket and slid the support crossbar through it instead of bolting it through the horizontal portion of the platform bracket. ?

I put some "studs" (basically a bolt with a spacer plus some rubber o-rings) on the brackets then slipped the square tubing over the studs. It was one of the mounting options listed in the instructions. I liked this because the top of the bracket (the top flange) is barely wide enough to drill out for the bolts and I didn't want to drill into my swim platform to recess the bolt heads. Also keep in mind that I don't have to remove by swim platform for storage.

[FacePlant]

Nice work. I <3 my FAE.

[Moki]

Anybody notice any steering differences since adding the FAE. I moved mine closer to the taps plate so that it angles in. This reduced water spray, but it seems that the handling is a little different. I am going to replace my cable and will let you know if that was the issue.

PS Nice job on the install!

[Jeff T]

I'll let you know how it feels, although i might be the wrong person to ask. I replaced a siezed cable just before I installed the FAE, so my handling will be totally different.

[talltigeguy]

I put some "studs" (basically a bolt with a spacer plus some rubber o-rings) on the brackets then slipped the square tubing over the studs. It was one of the mounting options listed in the instructions. I liked this because the top of the bracket (the top flange) is barely wide enough to drill out for the bolts and I didn't want to drill into my swim platform to recess the bolt heads. Also keep in mind that I don't have to remove by swim platform for storage.

So your crossbar is not actually bolted on? It is held on by the swim platform studs on both sides. Unless the swim platform mounts widen, the crossbar cannot come off...genius!

Then I would guess you only had to remove one of the swim platform brackets to get the support crossbar on?

I had to drill into my swim platform to recess the bolt head. I did not like doing that. I like your way better.

[Guapo]

So your crossbar is not actually bolted on? It is held on by the swim platform studs on both sides. Unless the swim platform mounts widen, the crossbar cannot come off...genius!

Then I would guess you only had to remove one of the swim platform brackets to get the support crossbar on?

Exactly...I only have to remove one swim platform bracket. I'd like to take credit but it was listed as one of the mounting options (with a basic drawing) on the instruction sheet. The stud was a bit smaller in diameter and I didn't want it to rattle, so I put some o-rings on it to snug the fit and eliminate rattling. We'll see how it goes. I'm hoping to get her in the water in two weeks or so