1984 Wellcraft, with rooster tail, considering adding swim platform

[lexi2512]

Hey there,

I have a few questions about my boat and possible future projects. I appreciate anyone's advice. . I bought my boat in February of this year. The engine was cracked and I had it repaired. (Got the boat for a steal.) I chose to buy an older boat because I didn't want to spend thousands of dollars on a boat until I knew what I was doing. Prior to me buying the boat I hadn't been on one in years but have always wanted one. To date I have spent $3300 for the boat, engine repair, and renovations. I have wired and installed a radio deck and two speakers, a fish/depth finder, spare battery, installed a power adapter outlet, added in line fuses to both, added a ski tow to back of boat, replaced all the cleets, put new boards on trailer and recarpeted them, recarpeted boat, rewires trailer lights, replaced winch strap contraption, recovered dash and gauges, re-upholestered all the seat covers and have made a replacement engine cover board with padding and upholstery twice. (First time I forgot to bolt it to hinges, didn't forget the second time!) I wanted to learn as I go and be able to make mistakes that wouldn't cost thousands of dollars to repair. Plus I had gone through cancer the year before and wanted to prove to myself that I could do whatever I set my mind too. Anyways, its been great so far, I really feel like I have a little knowledge. My boat ladder is very small and semi hard to access when in the water. As much as my daughter and her friends swim and tube and get in and out of the boat when were on the lake I think a platform will come in handy. Plus right now I can't lay in the sun and enjoy them as they get in and out so much and have to crawl on the boat cover I lay out on to get in and out of boat.

The other issue I have recently faced is that I find it very hard for me to pull myself out of water. The ladder handle is very slippery and I'm always nervous the ladder might suddenly break off because the boat is so old (I know delusional woman ideas). One of my winter projects is to replace the ladder and I thought while I was at that I would just add a platform? I have fibromyalgia stemming from all the cancer treatments no doubt, so I know that's part of my issue but I think maybe a platform will make it easier to get in the water.

I've read about platforms, adding them, how to add them, and even watched a YouTube video on how to, (Now I'm an expert woohoo!!), and I think I am capable of doing it. My biggest concern is that some I have seen seem to have brackets supporting them that go to the bottom of the boat and some don't have any brackets. What is the best kind of platform to install DIY, and my boat has a rooster tail, will adding a platform interfere or be bad?


I know it may seem crazy to do all this to such an old boat but to me it makes sense. And I plan on keeping it at least two maybe three years so that I can learn as much as I can before going on to a bigger boat. It is a 1984 Wellcraft American 180 inboard/outboard 18'. The rooster tail I wouldn't say comes up too high, but I'm a horrible judge of distance. I am just concerned the platform would be in the way of that. Again, I appreciate any advice and apologize for the novel. Us women, tend to give all the relevant and non relevant information.

Lexi

 

[smokeonthewater]

Re: 1984 Wellcraft, with rooster tail, considering adding swim platform

Hi lexi.. welcome to iboats..... what are ou calling a rooster tail? are you referring to the outdrive (the part of an inboard/outboard engine that sticks out of the boat)?

You will almost definitely need to have braces going down from your platform... the platform can be easily made from wood, plastic lumber, or starboard. You will want to use ONLY stainless hardware.... the braces can be simply made from pieces of stainless tube with the ends flattened and bent to the right angle to bolt to the hull and platform.... all holes through the hull need to be sealed with 3m 5200 sealant.

While you are at it look at undermount telescopic ladders and led swim lights.

 

[lexi2512]

Re: 1984 Wellcraft, with rooster tail, considering adding swim platform

Hi,

Thanks for the reply. The rooster tail happens once we start going a considerable speed, it spits water up in the air at that back of the boat. I think it looks more like a whale sprouting water than a rooster. I'd say its more common with jet skis than boats but that's just in what I've personally seen.

Thanks,

Lexi

 

[90stingray]

Re: 1984 Wellcraft, with rooster tail, considering adding swim platform

It might be turbulance from a depth finder, or ladder hanging down? Typically sterndrive boats dont throw a rooster tail. You can have someone carefully look over the transom while at speed to see what is causing the spray. I would think a swim platform would be fine either way.

 

[smokeonthewater]

Re: 1984 Wellcraft, with rooster tail, considering adding swim platform

there have also been aftermarket devices sold just to create a rooster tail on various boats.... whatever is creating it IMHO should be removed or adjusted to eliminate the 'tail

 

[EddiePetty]

Re: 1984 Wellcraft, with rooster tail, considering adding swim platform

Lexi,
I have both a Wellcraft V-20 and an American 190 sittin' out back. Neither, when the drive is properly trimmed kick up much of a rooster tail.
Perhaps you are trimming too far out (up) for your speed.

Oh, and welcome to iBoats !

 

[lexi2512]

Re: 1984 Wellcraft, with rooster tail, considering adding swim platform

Hi,

Thanks for the replies. I know its not from the fish finder, as it did it before I installed it. It doesn't seem to be coming from the ladder either, last time I had someone drive and I took a look it looked like it was coming directly up from where the prop and outboard sit. I don't mind the rooster tail, just want to make sure it won't interfere with a platform. I have tried trimming in every combination possible, it does make a difference, when I have trimmed the right way its not as high but is still there. Is it possible its from the new used engine in the boat? I read it could be from the motor sitting too low? I asked the mechanic when we took it for a test run and he told me it was normal for that kind of boat. As long as the rooster tail isn't damaging anything I really don't mind it.


What's a better type of platform, wood or plastic wood, or fiberglass? I have seen ones that are one solid piece and ones that have slats, I'm trying to figure out what will be the best type to be the easiest to get in and out of the water.

Thanks.

 

[lexi2512]

Re: 1984 Wellcraft, with rooster tail, considering adding swim platform

Do you think it would be fairly easy to add handles to the platform. also is there something I can coat the top with to prevent it from bring slippery?

 

[90stingray]

Re: 1984 Wellcraft, with rooster tail, considering adding swim platform

There are a number of non slip products out there. I think teak wood would look the best. The slat style build will be cheaper... since there is less wood. If you do teak, i dont think you need a non slip product... the wood is pretty grippy by itself. SS handles can be bolted anywhere to the platform.

 

[fat fanny]

Re: 1984 Wellcraft, with rooster tail, considering adding swim platform

Lexi you can add strips of traction tape my ladder has some on the steps but I don't see why it could not be added to the struts of the ladder for grip. Just make sure you clean the surface well before applying. It is also a good idea to add what engine and drive package you have along with thier serial numbers in your signature for future help with issues such as the so called rooster tail pic's don't hurt eigther.

 

[lexi2512]

Re: 1984 Wellcraft, with rooster tail, considering adding swim platform

Thanks, I will try to do that. In talking about woods use, is it possible to use OSB board? I have a bunch left over from my engine cover board re-do's.

 

[smokeonthewater]

Re: 1984 Wellcraft, with rooster tail, considering adding swim platform

nope... you will need to use something that can be constantly wet. also the platform will make very little difference on the difficulty of getting in the boat but the ladder can be a HUGE difference.... a 3 or 4 step angled ladder is much easier to climb than a single step hoop ladder

 

[lexi2512]

Re: 1984 Wellcraft, with rooster tail, considering adding swim platform

Thanks. I didn't think so but never hurts to ask. How about cedar? basically I'm thinking a slats design, maybe 1/4" apart, 1 x 4 or 1 x 6, cut the length of the boat. Put some supporting boards underneath kind of like a frame and then secure it to the boat with stainless brackets and braces. Definitely going to shop for a new ladder now. I'm thinking I want the platform to be about 24"or maybe even 36" but I think that may be too big for the boat to support?

 

[26aftcab454]

Re: 1984 Wellcraft, with rooster tail, considering adding swim platform

Welcome to iboatsLexi!
a photo is worth 10,000 words. my old Wellcraft swim platforn ,very basic.
does your "rooster tail" look anything like this? or like this?
anything made from OSB will turn to mush any where on your boat soon after getting wet.

 

[smokeonthewater]

Re: 1984 Wellcraft, with rooster tail, considering adding swim platform

If it is going to be wood it really needs to be a hardwood... teak is preferred.
look into starboard

Most platforms with strips are 1-2" strips about 1/4-3/8" apart.... look into purchasing a used swim platform... craigslist, ebay, local boat salvage yards....

The boat can support about as much platform as you could ever add but the platform itself would have to be increasingly sturdier to handle people.... 24-36" is doable... keep in mind though that the further aft the platform goes, the more likely it is to hit a dock and be damaged

 

[EddiePetty]

Re: 1984 Wellcraft, with rooster tail, considering adding swim platform

... keep in mind though that the further aft the platform goes, the more likely it is to hit a dock and be damaged

......and the lower it is mounted on the transom the more prone to interfere with the out drive in the trailer position!

 

[26aftcab454]

Re: 1984 Wellcraft, with rooster tail, considering adding swim platform

If you look at the Maroon boat next to my blue & white Glastron you can see a swimplatform with a hinged trap door that goes up to clear the outdrive.......

......and the lower it is mounted on the transom the more prone to interfere with the out drive in the trailer position!

 

[EddiePetty]

Re: 1984 Wellcraft, with rooster tail, considering adding swim platform

View attachment 174622 If you look at the Maroon boat next to my blue & white Glastron you can see a swimplatform with a hinged trap door that goes up to clear the outdrive.......

Now look what ya' gone and done.......given me ANOTHER Winter project!!!

 

[lexi2512]

Re: 1984 Wellcraft, with rooster tail, considering adding swim platform

Oh that's a good idea. Well I went and got my teak boards and started putting together my platform. I talked to a good friend who is a welder about the pipe I will need and he said instead of round pipe that you flatten to use angled iron. He says when you flatten the round pipe it looses strength. But I'm too worried about the exposed edge of the pipe and kids swimming getting cut on it our just the general idea of the look of it doesn't make sense to me. He tried to explain it to me but I just don't understand. He drew me a picture but I still don't understand.


. Does any of this make sense to you experts?

 

[26aftcab454]

Re: 1984 Wellcraft, with rooster tail, considering adding swim platform

No offence to yer welding buddy--but I do not think all the professional engeneers designing swim platforms for all these decades got it wrong. this boat belonged to drummer Vinny Paul of Pantera-Damage Plan-and Hell Yeah fame. He abanded it at our marina ant they auctioned it off. It was trashed.