DIY Extended Swim Platform-gctid370157

[MidnightSun]

A little late for a start but none the less it has begun. Definitely too late to turn back.Plan is to split the platform and insert a 20" section in order to make the swim platform more into a lounge area. Reason is I can save the part that attaches to the boat and the rear rounded section where the ladder sits. A rectangular piece in the middle is rather easy to build/instal and minimizes the required finishing. I will need only need to finish the new 20" of side on each side.This will be painted when done however the top portion does not need finishing as I will be sticking down one of these in Faux teak grey colour to go with the black theme on the boat. This type of material is soft on the feet, does not absorb water and no heat retention which is a must. http://www.seadek.com/Here is the platform intact before the split

[img]/media/kunena/attachments/vb/673550=26290-IMG_0281.jpg[/img]Another shot upside down which is already split but pushed together.

[img]/media/kunena/attachments/vb/673550=26291-IMG_0284.jpg[/img]Shown with the 20" gap and actually how wide it will be when done.

[img]/media/kunena/attachments/vb/673550=26292-IMG_0285.jpg[/img]Wish me luck, may need some. :livid:

[kwb]

This is too late for you but what I would have done is to have done two offset cuts ~4" from each other on top and bottom. Depth of cut would be through skin and the core down to the depth of the second skin, flipped it over and done the same thing from other side - this would let you work lap joints as you build it back up. You would have a bit of work breaking the coring up from the layers but once it started coming apart it shouldn't be too bad.

What you have will require quite a bit more tapering of the glass on each side to make sure you get all the strenght back. Not a big deal but just more grinding of fiberglass which most people find a bit less than fun to do.

[MidnightSun]

Went to pick up all my fiberglass supplies at a commercial body shop store and asked to speak to their fibreglass expert. They all pointed to the guy beside me purchasing supplies also as he was a "Marine Fibreglass Specialist". Talk about timing, anyhow I asked him what he thought about my project and after about 15mins of chit chat he told me he would do the project including painting for $500. obviously I gave it to him on the spot and actually drove my swim platform to his shop just now. Will be ready in a couple of weeks. Unfortunately I will only post pictures of the finished product.

[JimMc]

MidnightSun wrote:
Went to pick up all my fiberglass supplies at a commercial body shop store and asked to speak to their fibreglass expert. They all pointed to the guy beside me purchasing supplies also as he was a "Marine Fibreglass Specialist". Talk about timing, anyhow I asked him what he thought about my project and after about 15mins of chit chat he told me he would do the project including painting for $500. obviously I gave it to him on the spot and actually drove my swim platform to his shop just now. Will be ready in a couple of weeks. Unfortunately I will only post pictures of the finished product.

A wise decision. Congratulations on your good fortune.

[Guest]

JimMc wrote:
A wise decision. Congratulations on your good fortune.

Hans good choice on the fiberglass guy I am still working on my rebuild Just a question on the deck covering. I was looking at different products and the seadek really intrigued me, looked really good, I was looking at the grey as well, but the high price and the five year lifespan made me take a second look. Have you looked at any other products and what was you opinion of them?

[MidnightSun]

crowder.dr wrote:
Hans good choice on the fiberglass guy I am still working on my rebuild Just a question on the deck covering. I was looking at different products and the seadek really intrigued me, looked really good, I was looking at the grey as well, but the high price and the five year lifespan made me take a second look. Have you looked at any other products and what was you opinion of them?

Actually the 5 years I do believe is more for baking in the Florida sun year round which will translate into a lifetime in our location. I have the same stuff that come factory on my Wave Runner and after 4 years it still looks like the day I bought it. I did look into faux teak which is rather common however the few people I have talked to including one of my really good friends who has this on his 33 Chaparral all say they would not do it again because of the heat it retains. Enough so that a towel is required or you will not sit there or walk on it for that matter. I actually use my swim platform so that is out of the question. The Sea Dek stuff remains cool and does not retain heat plus it is very slip proof and quite soft on the feet. My 10'6" x 4' custom fit piece will be around $650.

[Guest]

MidnightSun wrote:
Actually the 5 years I do believe is more for baking in the Florida sun year round which will translate into a lifetime in our location. I have the same stuff that come factory on my Wave Runner and after 4 years it still looks like the day I bought it. I did look into faux teak which is rather common however the few people I have talked to including one of my really good friends who has this on his 33 Chaparral all say they would not do it again because of the heat it retains. Enough so that a towel is required or you will not sit there or walk on it for that matter. I actually use my swim platform so that is out of the question. The Sea Dek stuff remains cool and does not retain heat plus it is very slip proof and quite soft on the feet. My 10'6" x 4' custom fit piece will be around $650.

Wow you got a great price they quoted me $600.00 USD for a 8 ft x 2 ft pad in the same material. The 5yrs I was quoting was the warranty period for the pad. I look forward to seeing your platform this summer it sound like it will be a great addition to your already fantastic boat. When do you plan to launch this year ?

[MidnightSun]

I was extremely busy so I only picked up my platform today. I was expecting an OK job however the results are amazing. So much so I asked him to keep it and finish the top as I will forgo the Sea Dek top. He will have the top finished in a non slip by Monday evening ready for me to pick up on Tuesday for an additional $100. Sea Dek is 5 weeks delivery plus shipping duties etc and about $800 by the time I get it to my door. Can't get over the workmanship and overall quality of this guys work and I am pretty darn fussy. The underside and reinforcement is a work of art.

Here you see it ready for the Sea Dek application with an unfinished top side which he will now finish in non skid. The darker section is the addition and now the platform measures about 52"



Look at the shine of the finished area.

[Guest]

Great looking platform Hans ! He did a great job! So when is the breaking in party on E dock

[MidnightSun]

crowder.dr wrote:
Great looking platform Hans ! He did a great job! So when is the breaking in party on E dock

Was planning on splashing by the end of the week but may be delayed. Boat is polished and spic and span inside/out. My wife has packed everything on board with exception of food and drink. Tuesday I am pulling the starboard engine and replacing the coupling that failed end of last season and I had planned to slap on the platform Wednesday or Thursday. Now you all know how planning sometimes takes a dive soooo. I have to leave on a business trip to Saudi on the 4th and won't be back until the 10th so it MAY not be until my return if I run into issues next week. Otherwise it is Friday splash and maybe a great weekend on the boat.

[Guest]

MidnightSun wrote:
I was extremely busy so I only picked up my platform today. I was expecting an OK job however the results are amazing. So much so I asked him to keep it and finish the top as I will forgo the Sea Dek top. He will have the top finished in a non slip by Monday evening ready for me to pick up on Tuesday for an additional $100. Sea Dek is 5 weeks delivery plus shipping duties etc and about $800 by the time I get it to my door. Can't get over the workmanship and overall quality of this guys work and I am pretty darn fussy. The underside and reinforcement is a work of art.

Here you see it ready for the Sea Dek application with an unfinished top side which he will now finish in non skid. The darker section is the addition and now the platform measures about 52"



Look at the shine of the finished area.

Wow, great job and great price! Definitely not worth doing yourself. Is the top sanded down for a new finish?

[fritzman]

Good job Lots of hours go into that kind of project, the shine makes me guess polyurethane, post more projects love them. :P :P :P

[Guest]

Not to be Debbie downder, but did you make sure it's not going to go down in the water before you get on plane? I had that problem with my first boat where the platform would act as an unintended trim tab on just one side of the boat so I had to turn the wheel until getting on plane and when it finally lifted the platform I had to be ready to jerk the wheel back.

[MidnightSun]

This is an older post dating to 2012. Yes it works perfectly and continues to do so.

[Guest]

Oh, should have looked at the dates.