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Need a swim platform

Discussion in 'Ocean Yacht' started by Boomer, May 26, 2020.

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  1. Boomer

    Boomer Senior Member

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    Looking for a swim platform for our 1984 46ss....we are hauling out this winter for a bottom job and wanted to install one so we can put a tender on it...used would be great if anyone has any ideas or locations of any
  2. ranger58sb

    ranger58sb Senior member

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    You might look at other solutions, too. TNT Lift (hydraulic swim platform), Freedom Lift, etc.

    Not inexpensive, but some of those address launch and recovery more betterer than many davit systems on a simple swim platform. And they also don't (always) actually give you a useful swim platform.

    Note there are issues associated with carrying a dinghy on your stern. Boarding and departing from a swim platform when at floating docks, crossing stern lines at docks, coming down off plane, obscuring transom mounted stern lights and name/hailing port markings, etc. Nothing unsolvable, but needs mitigation...

    -Chris
  3. Pascal

    Pascal Senior Member

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    Make it... the platform Is the easy part... 1” coosa board with glass on each side. The hardest part will be the brackets but any good welder can handle it.
  4. Boomer

    Boomer Senior Member

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    Well beyond my capabilities and shed size
  5. Boomer

    Boomer Senior Member

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    Thought about all those issues except the stern light...missed that one...good call!
  6. Pascal

    Pascal Senior Member

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    I really meant have it made. Any fiberglass shop or yard should be able to
  7. NYCAP123

    NYCAP123 Senior Member

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    How big a tender do you intend to put on it? Have you considered putting it on your bow? You're not just taking about a swim platform, but most likely one 4'-6' deep unless you're talking about a small dink to lay against your transom in which case you might be better off just loading it into your cockpit . If larger might you not be better off just towing it. Hanging the weight of the tender, plus the weight of a swim platform will certainly affect the handling of that boat (including backing down if you fish). It could in fact keep you from getting on plane. Before proceeding I'd load the total weight of the tender and platform into the back of your cockpit (+ a margin of error for the weight being further back) and see how she handles.
  8. cleanslate

    cleanslate Senior Member

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    Look up Butler Marine Products. Scranton Pa. I know , it's and odd place for great teak or glass platforms but IMO they make the best.
    I'm 99.9% sure they have all the measurements for your boat on file.

    I've gotten two from them over the years, one for my 42' Matthews and one for my Chris - Craft Dory.
  9. cleanslate

    cleanslate Senior Member

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    Also , I put my 80lb Inflatable on my fore deck to port and tie it down to the hand rail.
    I pull it up and over the rail on my own when I take it out.
    My O-B mounts on the aft deck mount that I made. It hangs in side the aft rail out of the way. 5 Hp Mercury 4s.

    You may not have to mount it on the aft platform. But It's nice to have one, for sure.
  10. Boomer

    Boomer Senior Member

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    I actually did check with butler marine..$2100 plus ss brackets and shipping..10ft x 24 inches...cheaper than everyone else by far...looking at a rib so the weight shouldn't be a big concern...yes, tilting it up against the transom...will look for a propane kicker...merc has them for $1500....regarding the bow idea, it was my first choice but do not want to pay for a crane...getting to old to lift a dink on the bow...the kayaks are heavy enough
  11. NYCAP123

    NYCAP123 Senior Member

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    Electric davits are expensive, but all you'd need is a hand crank one, and that could prove cheaper than what that swim platform will cost.
  12. Boomer

    Boomer Senior Member

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    Agreed...but wife wants a swim platform for swimming, ease of getting on kayaks and future dink....and I can probably use the original holes from the platform that came on the boat...i dont gamefish so I dont worry about backing down on a fish
  13. Capt Ralph

    Capt Ralph Senior Member

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    How are you at working with plywood, epoxy and a router?
    Lets get a card board curve of your transom where you want the back porch first. The brackets are the cheap part so don't loose no sleep there.
    I luv back porches and have built a few for mine and other boats.
    Nothing is cheap. Plan on around $3k DIY for a back porch with one or two splash vents. Plus boat 2 pulls, 1 hour each and the welding shop (cheapest part).
  14. Capt J

    Capt J Senior Member

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    Check with Sailorman in Fort Lauderdale, I've seen several used ones there over the years.
  15. Boomer

    Boomer Senior Member

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    Checked sailor man over the last 6 months...nothing showed up...had several leads on one but that fell apart...figured I would just buy one...I do not have the skills or the facility to make something like that unfortunately...
  16. Boomer

    Boomer Senior Member

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    Hi Capt. Ralph...I figured $3200 delivered was a good price with 4 heavy duty brackets and 3 air vents...10ftx24 wide
  17. Pascal

    Pascal Senior Member

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    I wouldn’t use plywood. Even marine grade can get waterlogged if water gets in. Coosa is the way to go.
  18. cleanslate

    cleanslate Senior Member

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    Get the @#$ $#$# Butler in teak IMO. Quality stuff and it has a nice rub rail pre-installed. Get four brakets or more if you want and load the Jawn up with what ever you want ! there , I just did it for you. Now you have to pay them ! lol:)
    They are quite easy to install. Please pilot hole ALL of your thru bolts first to make sure you are in the right area you think you are, and want to be. A long 1/8'' bit is good. Check where you came through. If all is good/clear then drill to proper size. Fender washers and backing blocks( starboard etc.) is a good idea , especially if you are going to put the Rib on it. Put some five thousand two hundred on the bolts to for sealant.

    Please keep the teak natural, no oils or varnish as the will defeat it's non skid surface, which is it's main purpose. And sealers will wash out in short time from prop/boat wash anyway.
    Last edited: Jun 8, 2020
  19. cleanslate

    cleanslate Senior Member

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    We both have the same transom size even though I'm 42 feet.
  20. Boomer

    Boomer Senior Member

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    No teak...all has been removed from the exterior of the boat...going with white fiberglass...I can see inside the hull where the old holes were for the original platform so I have a good starting point...yes it will have non skid texture...now that it finally stopped raining I need to measure the arc so they can verify their numbers