Re: Teak Swim platform install
What about the position of the platform when you're under way? Is there a point below which it will 'drag' in the water while you're boating at a certain speed/ trim level?<br /><br />e.g., if I'm pulling a wakeboarder or tuber, I'm going reasonably slow (high teens, low 20's mph) and after planeing I trim the drive as low as I can without coming off plane in order to make the biggest wake possible. This of course pushes the stern down. <br /><br />Haven't ever looked at how much clearance there is betwen the back of my swim platform & the water while boating under those conditions, but I definately wouldn't want the platform to 'drag' in the water. <br /><br />Otherwise, I'd think you'd want it as low as possible (without causing problems with outdrive clearance/ operation, of course).<br /><br />Btw, neat looking setup on the link you posted. There's just something about teak that really adds a touch of class to the look of most boats imho. I've got a small teak swim platform, teak ski locker cover, and teak trim strips on my older 17' bowrider. Although it's a close call, this is one area where I think it's worth the extra maintenance work to have a 'decorative' material vs. a no maintenance alternative.<br /><br />One thing you may want to keep in mind once you install the full length swim platform is safety around the stern drive. With side mounted platforms there's a bit more 'built in' protection w.r.t. swimmers jumping off & hitting the drive/prop. With the full length one, swimmers not familiar with an i/o might be much more at risk of jumping in from the middle and landing on the drive/prop.
