Suggestions for swim platform, boarding ladder, etc.

[jdupree]

Below is a picture of my old set up before the transom was replaced.  Based on the condition, I have decided not the put that old swim platform back on.  It had seen it's better days

As you can see, the CCP'S don't have much transom surface area to mount a platform with dual support arms.  I would like some suggetions as to what I might put there to help board folks.  During the summer, I will have numerous friends and family swimming off the boat.  Need something that will be easy for them to get back in with.

I still have the trim tabs mounted in the position shown, so that might be an issue.  Thanks in advance.

[Capt. Bob]

JD,
Just thought to help with the decision.

The "swim platform" (like what you had) allows swimmer/diver/skier clearance to the trim tab. It also provides the user a "first landing" when entering the boat from the water. This allows users the opportunity to get orientated to the boat,remove additional gear and gives not so "seaworthy" folks a chance to see where they need to place their feet when reentering. You now have the splash guard in place and I'm not sure if the area between it and the transom (with rigging on one side) might cause some a bit of a problem.
Unfortunate they don't really "catch the eye". :(

The platforms with the telescoping ladders are much easier to use IMHO.

There are removable ladders too that can be mounted between the motor and tab. Still the tab is exposed to the youngsters and us older folks and that might cause some shinned calves or a bent tab. :o

Perfect world would be a full bracket with swim platform but that's time and $$$ at this stage of your rebuild. Winning Lotto might have helped but then you wouldn't have an old Aqua. Think of me when you do win as the member who got you that raggity looking teak if you need a driver.

Good luck.

[jdupree]

Thanks for the response and the humor as always  

The new splash guard will not be an issue for boarding.  In fact, it will be much easier than climbing through the splashwell.  If you were to stand on that platform now, you could step right into the cockpit or there is enough room to place your foot into the little splash area.  All my rigging will be on the starboard side so I will mount the hardware on the port side.

I am not sure what the weight limit is, but it just seems like the swim platforms with the 1 rail don't have much support.  My wife's cousin is a pretty big boy (not fat) and when he tried to use that platform last summer it almost ripped away from the transom

[pete]

I like the ones with the telescoping stairs as well,get a 3 step,will make climbing in much easier.Rickk has one on his 230 or 17 I believe that isn't made any more but I had a similar one on my 18' angler,it's a swim platform that had a set of steps set at an angle,so when folded down you walk up like a stairway.Much easier when wearing gear.I searched for them but no luck,maybe Rick knows if they are still made.

Found a pic of RickKs,zoom in on the stern...
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[wingtime]

I had a telescoping three step ladder on my 200XF.  But it was the same type of platform you had.  And like you said they are not the strongest things by any means.

[Capt. Bob]

The hdpe types seem to "bend" much easier than the teak. The PO of my WAC was big, his wife bigger and it was warped on arrival.
I replaced the connecting hardware but couldn't do anything for the board.

Since you have the room in the well, maybe the "ladder only" can work. A mounting bracket that angles away from the transom would be a help. I would imagine that the ladder, by design is stronger too.

Again, good luck.

EDIT: Here's a thought from the Forum we were recently compared to (or even worst so I been told 8) )
http://www.thehulltruth.com/boating-for ... d-how.html

Look at post #9

[slvrlng]

I have this one. The platform is cored glass and it is going to take a seriously heavy weight to bend it. The 3 step ladder makes it much much easier to get your feet on the rungs.



Hey John, you should remember it. You and CJ did stand right beside it!  LOL!!!!!!!

[Capt. Bob]

Last one from me.
Bring your Amex card. Check current mortgage rate if you want a ladder.

http://www.skyjac.com/swim_platforms.htm

Scroll to bottom.

[gran398]

It looks nice. Wonder where a ladder attaches?

[jdupree]

I have this one. The platform is cored glass and it is going to take a seriously heavy weight to bend it. The 3 step ladder makes it much much easier to get your feet on the rungs.



Hey John, you should remember it. You and CJ did stand right beside it!  LOL!!!!!!!

Thanks for the call Lewis Check and see if your guy has one and I will give you a call later this evening to discuss.

JD

[jdupree]

Last one from me.
Bring your Amex card. Check current mortgage rate if you want a ladder.

http://www.skyjac.com/swim_platforms.htm

Scroll to bottom.

Nice but a little out of my price range

[dburr]

John, the Windline dive ladder is the way to go.. Really easy to climb out and the step in the boat is not bad either..

I am in work fabbing a bracket from stainless that extends the ladder aft 4 inches at a 12 degree angle and the mount face angle matches the transom angle so all the lines are fair.  The Windline DLB-9 mount is a bolt on and go and the angles work out to clear the stern by like 12.5 inches but will not be fair to our transom angles..

I will post the layout stuff a bit later..

Edit:
viewtopic.php?f=1&t=10420&p=102809#p102809

[slvrlng]

John, this is the one I have.

http://www.lowcostboatingstore.com/SEAC ... p_504.html

[jdupree]

John, this is the one I have.

http://www.lowcostboatingstore.com/SEAC ... p_504.html

Lewis got me a deal on the swim platform that he has.  Long story short, I got ready to install it over a month ago and found that the holes in the rail did not match the holes in the platform.  Lewis gave me a contact person at Sea Choice.  Come to find out that all of the swim platforms like ours had improperly drilled holes in the rails and would not match the platform.  Not a biggie, but just made things more labor intensive trying to line everything up and drill new holes.

Anyway, for my troubles Sea Choice sent me a care package with fishing gear valued at around $100.00 for free.  Not a bad deal :)

Finally got it installed.  I have put on several of these on in the past but this one had to be modified a bit to get it on.  I had to mount it a little higher than most because of the trim tab.  I didn't want to have to "notch" the platform but with the drop down ladder should be easy to get in and out.  Took about 3 hours to install.  The hardest part was drilling into my transom and smelling new wood.  Sealed her up good and had a couple of cold ones so no worries :)

These are very nice platforms that are made of fiberglass and not starboard.  I would say the nicest swim platform I have ever installed.  Thanks again Lewis

[gran398]

Beautiful job JD! Can't wait to see her