Info on Swim Platform

[billh22]

Looking for opinion on a swim platform for inboard 12' beam. starboard, teak or fiberglass, what is the the best material to use. Also anyone knows of a company that can fabricate one.

[LuckyLady]

Beach Comber Fiberglass in Stuart FL were great to deal with. Its been a few years since I have dealt with them but they were really good when I did

http://www.beachfiber.com/

[LuckyLady]

Forgot to mention, if you do find one or go with Beachcomber if you need help getting it up to you, give a shout we have transport trucks coming up every week it will save you a few bucks as well has them building a huge box. It can be wrapped and set inside one of the boats.

[billh22]

I will check it out and thanks for the offer. I am not a big fan of Swim platform but the boat I am building dose not have a tuna door and I know form experience it is nearly impossible for two guys to lift a good sizs man out of the water over the side even if he is conscious. It is more for safty then anything else. I am still not sure which way to go Starboard, fiberglass or teak. I would like to get some info back on each.

[Flatdog]

Bill
Cost wise if you go with a swim platform use the cheapest to replace! Backing down wrong "knda wave" you can damage or lose it and your wheels. I have had lots of thoughts about this there are allot of alternative products solving the man overboard retrieval problem which would be cheaper and could double up as a big fish removal for a single handed skip!!!!! Also look at a winch that can be put into a rod holder,the type blow boaters use, Harken make I think Hand crank? Or mount an electric on in the middle of the t top.
http://www.rescueandrecovery.co.uk/r...FQECGgodC1QR0g
The real problem though is conscious or unconscious they need to be on the surface with a swim platform or the alternative above site "by the way watch the video" so if at sea you have to wear some form of flotation device!!!!!!!! They make real small units these days that go off as you hit the water all automatically! Remember it's not the depth of water, 4" of water will kill you fact. If you fish alone or short handed a personal epirb is a must! Most fish with the boat in gear even if alone"I'm yet to see a kill switch 20foot long!"
How many of you can swim a mile in full fishing gear back to the beach if inshore, or your boat if off shore, never mind get back in the dam thing? 2 poss 3 the rest are fish food, being alone in the ocean treading water takes a very different mind set, panic is one breath away never mind the cold, it's time to stack things on your side get the goodies that are out there!
So its a pain to wear, SO WHAT. Please use it then we divers do not need to come find the bits that are left!!
Trust me you look real UGLY after 2 days underwater.

[billh22]

Fatdog;

Everything you said makes a lot of sence but i still feel a swim platform could be a life saver. Besides offering a great place for the grand children to jump off. If could be the only way someone overboard could hold on or get back in the boat if no help was available. Just think about it, even if you were just outside the marina a slip could throw you out of the boat with nothing to hold on to. If you were hurt your only choose would be to try and swim. At lease the swim platform could give you a place to hold on. I find it hard to believe that my wife could get me back in the boat in a resonable time in an emergency. It took two of use to pull a guy through the tuna door offshore. I guess when you have been around boats long enough you think about things like this.

[dbm1234]

Bill,

Did you talk to Bill Judge? I'm sure he's got some ideas.

On the boat we're building up, A 31' downeast, over at Composite yachts, we're putting a swim platform on it just so the kids have someplace to swim off of. They use it all the time on the Shamrock we have now.

We're shooting for a really low maintence boat. We're going to build it out of starboard, it should be maintence free, and less expensive than molding one out of Fiberglass. Good luck with your build, I love that 36.

DBM

[billh22]

DBM

Decided to go with Beach Fiber out of Flordia. They make one with a divi cell core that is flat finish on the bottom. I also like the SS trim option available, it will match the rub rail. Beach can finsh with a mat surface so it can be painted to match the hull.

A swim platfrom is not q mocho item for a sportboat but it sure makes scents for safty and convenient

Boat should be ready for the Feb 28 "JUDGE" open house. Thanks for the feed back.

Bill

[dbm1234]

Billh,

Congratulations. February 28th is practically here.

We were really close to pulling the trigger on that 36. It rides awesome.

What are you going to be using her for?

DBM

[billh22]

Mostly inshore, I enjoy bottom fishing a drifting but a had Bill increase the fuel to 200 gals giving it range for the canyons and overniters. I added a large insulated stern fish/live well with duel pumps for cirulation. The 36 also has a 30 gal in deck live well and a below deck large fish box, also insolated. Standard is 425 cummins but i incresed to the 480hp cummins. According to the numbers it will increase cruise over 30 knots at 3000 rpm. The 425hp had a fuel burn rate of 1.7 at 2700 rpm (27 knots). according to the numbers the MPG should be better with the 480hp at 2800rpm.

For electronic i when for the MFD12 with a 6kw radar and the new FCV295 fathometer. Rear helm is custom with tackle storage and full function helm. (start/stop, bow thruster, pilot, plotter/fathomer by Raymarine.

It will have over 20 rod holders available on the gunnels and hard top. Not counting the soon to be added rocket lancher/rigging center.

Bill Judge was great helping me lay out the boat to get the best possible function. I new what I wanted and Bill made it happen.

Sorry if i got carried away. I will post some pictures when completed.