Swim platform

[MSmith3615]

Can anyone tell me if its possible to make my swim platform on the back of my boat bigger? IT is made out of fiberglass! Any help would be great.. Thanks

 

[i386]

Re: Swim platform

Some good pics would be a good start.

 

[strizzy]

Re: Swim platform

Possible, yes. Practical, no. I would just find an aftermarket add-on swim deck. It will take a bit of time to do it "nice", which is why I would suggest looking into one that is already made...

 

[MSmith3615]

Re: Swim platform

Here is one I have with it attached to the boat.. Its the only one I have right now... The boat is painted a differant color now, it is going to be white... It screws on...I just needs to be bigger.... I was hoping I could use fiberglass to make it bigger or something. Sorry for my dog and my blank face wife..

 

[MSmith3615]

Re: Swim platform

strizzy thanks for advice, I checked out your pics, nice boat and good job. I just recently overhauled my entire boat, new interior, stingers, transom, floor, new floor plan for seating, new seats, new carpet, guages, control box, new dash, steering wheel, inside of cuddy was also redone, new rails, about the only thing still original was the windshield. I had the paint work done professionally.. It took about a whole year to do it... And almost a divorce , but she hung in there.. I will be posting pics... But i just need a bigger swim platform and the aftermarket ones don't seem the fit the shape of the boat.

 

[strizzy]

Re: Swim platform

Well thank you MSmith, we would enjoy to see any and all pics of your little adventure. Also glad you made it through with your wife! I know my girlfriend didnt care for the boat stealing her time and money!

I was going by the pic in your avatar and did not know you had the "hump", which would make finding an aftermarket one a lot harder. You could mount a flat one higher up with a nice 3-4 step ladder...

As far as making it bigger, attaching some pieces on top of the "platforms" on each side, and glass them all in would probably work. You would need to grind all the gel off where you were gonna attach it, then probably have some support pieces that you make into "arms" that go from front to back and taper from the old platform out to the end of the new platform, like joist... When all done you could fill and fair the whole thing all smooth and then have it painted to match, or contrast.

night

 

[MSmith3615]

Re: Swim platform

thanks alot for the info strizzy...this is going to get interesting....

 

[klos]

Re: Swim platform

You could make a comlpete mold to restructure the whole disign. Might get a little expensive but you could custom design it exactly the way you want it. If you like the old swim platform you could use that for part of the plug for the female mold.
Check out this link, some of the things I would do a little different but it explains how to make a simple mold.
http://www.sweetcomposites.com/Mold.html

 

[MSmith3615]

Re: Swim platform

klos, you are the man.. Nice link.... Im going to try to use my old one as part of the plug for the female mold... I thought you do that, but wasn't sure how...Im going to try to do what you suggested... Its worth the extra cost.. I spent a whole year on this boat so I want it right...

 

[klos]

Re: Swim platform

If you can, start a thread with your pics and progress during every step. I think alot of people would be interested in how this is done.
Nice boat, looks like you put a lot of work into her.

 

[MSmith3615]

Re: Swim platform

thanks klos, that pic is before I started my project.. The boat is yellow, black and white now.... I had to update the 1985 look and go with a more modern look.. When I redid her I eliminated almost all the wood that was in her before... I still have some work to go with the swim platform and putting everything back in boat and putting on all the new parts and accessories... Im going to post my pics... I have alot of them.. Thanks for info..