extended swim platform and change in boat performance

[cocuyo]

We have a beautiful 230 Overnighter with a 5.7 Merc/ Alpha 1 drive and considering getting an extended swim platform. Searay's OEM platforms are cost prohibitive but I did find swimplatforms.com that make a nice aftermarket product.
Does anyone have experience with these two concerns:
1) the supporting 'legs' for the platform seem pretty weak
2) how does the extra weight of the swim platform affect boat performance? especially out of the hole?

 

[270win]

I have the same questions....for my 220cc.

 

[Lazy Daze]

There are lot's of posts and threads about swimplatforms.com on this site - take some time to search and you'll be pleasantly surprised.

Basically, the company was founded by some guys that used to work at Sea Ray - guess what their job description was?:smt001

Depending on boat model, supporting legs may or may not be used. It's a very reputable company - I would totally trust that whatever hardware they use would be more than adequate.

Performance? Tough to tell. I don't doubt that you'd be a bit slower out of the hole. With only having the Alpha drive, it certainly would affect you more than someone with the Bravo III. Do you have tabs? If not, you could have those installed.

 

[270win]

I'm installing tabs this winter...and LED lights under the platform.

I requested a quote from swimplatforms.com yesterday, I'll post what they come back with. Great to know that these guys are from Sea Ray

 

[270win]

I may be wrong, but I would think any performance loss would be negligible.

 

[Firerooster]

Don't know if you got the platform or not. I cannot comment on the performance changes using an alpha drive. I will say with my BIII there is absolutely no difference in performance, out of hole or otherwise. Wait I take that back. I can hear the motor a little more while underway. But that is minimal. I did get my platform from swimplatforms.com.... And let me tell you. Scott and his crew are fantastic! Excellent customer service and workmanship. Don't worry about the supporting poles. They do fine. I weigh 220lbs, and I have a pic of three of my buddies ( all bigger then I) my wife at 103lbs all standing on the platform for a pic. It holds up jut fine. Definetly worth every penny spent! It added a whole back porch to my boat. The dogs sleep on it we sit on it, my kids play on it, and wake boarding has never been easier or safer on my boat. I love and recommend it. Ps. If you pull up the pics on their website of the 1996 240 overnighter. That's my boat

Here is a pic of my boat this last month at lake havasu. We r about 3/4 throttle running 45-50 mph. Pic taken with my buddies iPhone from his Searay sundeck.

http://gallery.me.com/firerooster/100051/Excessive Green running abt 45 mph up Havasu.

 

[island trek1]

I added a swim platform was swimplatforms.com and I did not notice any performance issues.

 

[beernutz]

I added a swim platform was swimplatforms.com and I did not notice any performance issues.

FWIW, me neither.

 

[surfinjoe]

I had a 180 sport and added one of their swim platforms....no loss in holeshot. I did have them send me 2 extra L-brackets, as the two that they sent me were not enough. Make sure you have a total of (4) of the L-brackets and (2) of the support poles.

 

[Jimmyz]

I just started building my own Swimplatform for my 230CC. Using 3/4 Starboard. Here's the first picture of it. I'm going to add another 3/4 piece of starboard under the part of the platform that sticks out from the boat. Will also add two S.S. support poles on the bootm. I still have a finish it up. I post more pictures with I do.