Need help building a swim platform!!!

Chasespeed21

Chasespeed21

New Member
Feb 14, 2011
9
arizona
Boat Info
1972 Sea Ray SRV 180
Engines
Mercruiser
Hey everyone, I'm looking to put a nice swim platform on my boat but? I'm not willing to pay and arm and a leg to have one put on professionally. Has anyone else here built there own and where do I start? Is there somewhere that I can buy plans to show me what to do? Thanks!
 
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Chasespeed21 said:
Hey everyone, I'm looking to put a nice swim platform on my boat but? I'm not willing to pay and arm and a leg to have one put on professionally. Has anyone else here built there own and where do I start? Is there somewhere that I can buy plans to show me what to do? Thanks!
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Do a search on the site. There have been others here that have done it but I don't remember who.
 
Just a couple of thoughts to keep in mind...

1) Your boat has some age on it. You may want to verify the condition of your transom, specifically the wood that is encased inside the outer and inner layer of glass. You may or may not have wood across the whole transom - it might only be around the transom plate assembly. You should be able to verify this by looking at the transom from the inside - if it is totally flat (top to bottom, left to right) then there is wood throughout. Otherwise, you'll see evidence of where it is thicker due to the wood. Knock around with a nickle (on edge) and listen for the sound. There's a good chance everything is fine, but best to be sure. You may then decide to do some "exploratory drilling" with an 1/8" drill bit to verify the condition of the wood.

2) Assuming everything checks out, keep whatever you are building on the light side. Not so much because the transom can't handle it (supported correctly it will be fine), but because you don't want to add much weight that far aft in a small boat as it may drastically affect your performance/planing time. "Starboard" would not be a good choice in regards to weight if you're making a full platform.

You might be best served to make a half (or 1/3) platform, instead. Check out Garelick, Det-Mar and AFI for some ideas.
 
Thanks for all the info guys it looks like its gonna be really helpful. ill post updates when i get started on this project!
 
If you get nothing else out of this link as far as info goes, Then at least you should enjoy the pictures.:smt001
http://www.swimplatforms.com/

And it looks like they might be in your area.
Where is Swim Platforms Inc. located?
FAQ_a.gif
Swim Platforms Inc.
3501 E. Illini St.
Phoenix, AZ 85040 USA
(602) 431-8225 (MST)

http://www.swimplatforms.com/FAQ/tabid/2260/Default.aspx
 
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I ordered mine from them and it was the best choice I ever made. I have gotten so many compliments about the platform and how it updated the boat. I have a 340 Sundancer 1988, total cost was $2700 shipped to my marina. 2 weekend by my self and it was installed. Most of the time was waiting to get people from the marina to give me that extra set of hands to mount. I went from a 19inch swim platform to a 39 inch wide platform and it is great. I have had 4 teenagers and 3 adults using the platform all at once. Every one comes over to swim from it. Excellent craftsmanship. It will probably out last the boat!
 
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Here's my thread on my custom built platform:
http://clubsearay.com/forum/showthread.php?t=26953

I came close to buying a ready-made platform, ready to bolt on my boat, but I decided to save some money and build it myself. I also like using Starboard, as compared fiberglass. Much more forgiving when it strikes up against a hard surface, like when backing in a slip during a storm!

I originally wanted to use 1" Starboard, but wasn't able to get it in the diamond texture finish. I also needed the white to match my boat, which is artic white. I wound up using 3/4" and gave it good bracing.

After a summer of a lot of use I have to say it was well worth the work put into it. I added the venting holes after it was in the water. You can see the boat better in my signature link.
 
sfergson727 said:
You'll find some do's and don'ts in this thread. Since I don't want to offend, I'll not point out the don'ts at this juncture.

http://www.clubsearay.com/forum/showthread.php?p=271881
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I am not saying that this is the best way to build a swim platform but it defanatly works. I purchased this boat from a member on here last yr. Yes the supports do not look factory but when it is in the water, sight un seen. Like the previous owner said it is strong and we have had 6 adults on it with no problems. The extra length is a bonus too.

Danny Troy said:
Here's my thread on my custom built platform:
http://clubsearay.com/forum/showthread.php?t=26953

I came close to buying a ready-made platform, ready to bolt on my boat, but I decided to save some money and build it myself. I also like using Starboard, as compared fiberglass. Much more forgiving when it strikes up against a hard surface, like when backing in a slip during a storm!

I originally wanted to use 1" Starboard, but wasn't able to get it in the diamond texture finish. I also needed the white to match my boat, which is artic white. I wound up using 3/4" and gave it good bracing.

After a summer of a lot of use I have to say it was well worth the work put into it. I added the venting holes after it was in the water. You can see the boat better in my signature link.
Click to expand...

Danny Troy, I see you sort of followed Shores idea. I recently bought the original searay cutouts for the swim platform and I will install them this summer. My swim platform is deep enough that getting out of the water for some people is hard with not being able to grab onto anything. The cutouts will solve that issue. Love the fact that I can put a beach chair on the swim platform and sit at night checking things out. Yours came out nice also.
 
MrFL54 said:
Danny Troy, I see you sort of followed Shores idea. I recently bought the original searay cutouts for the swim platform and I will install them this summer. My swim platform is deep enough that getting out of the water for some people is hard with not being able to grab onto anything. The cutouts will solve that issue. Love the fact that I can put a beach chair on the swim platform and sit at night checking things out. Yours came out nice also.
Click to expand...


Yes, I definitely got a lot of ideas following Shores installation. Unlike him, I used a single sheet of 3/4" SB. Doubled-up would have been way overkill for my boat. The 3/4", with proper bracing, has very little flex on the edges. As far as grab handle, I was able to relocate my factory handle from where it was located on the starboard side, to center, which lines up with my ladder. I thought it might be to far away to grab, but in use it's just fine for everyone that used it.

If I had to do it again, I'm not sure I would use the "L" brackets that attach the platform to the transom. Since it's bolted to the upper platform, it's kind of redundant, since there's plenty support from the 4 SS supports and the bolting to the upper platform.
 
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