Quote:
Originally Posted by jorgeinmiami
. . .
The traditional teak platform with a folding step or go with a 3 step modern one that you attach to the transom . . .
Teak platform is always there attached but may get in the way of fishning and it needs to maintain the teak
The 3 step is easier to get in the boat with but then what do you do with it?
Suggestions??????????
|
Why not have the BEST OF BOTH . . . a folding removable teak & stainless platform that you can also attach a ladder to?! You can MAKE a simple lightweight folding platform with some SS tubing and wood planks for not much $!
I made two like the one shown below with a buddy of mine who had just bought a new Seafari. We bought an 8' long piece of 1" stainless tubing (enough for 2 platforms) and a 1"x 8" x 8' teak board (for $35! . . . this was about 1976!); used a conduit bender to bend the tubing. We used his Shopsmith to drill the bolt holes in the tubing and cut the board up into planks. Used SS bimini top fittings, nylon rope and snap hooks to mount it to the boat using existing towing eye and one added fitting. The ropes could be wrapped around the planks to hold it in the up position. Could be removed in less than a minute by unscrewing 2 bolts. It was about 22" wide and extended aft about 2'; my buddy made his a little wider because he was running a narrow I-6 Merc and I needed more clearance for my wider V-4 motor.
If you mount it right at the waterline, you probably won't need a ladder, although that makes it easier for the gals or if you're using a scuba tank. I later added a 2-step ladder that could be taken off by removing 4 more bolts. The platform was mounted low enough that 2 steps were adequate and the support ropes provided convenient hand holds. Without the ladder, I could run with the platform down because it was out of the water when on plane. The ladder would clear the water with the platform folded up, although I also could raise the ladder up and lean it against the rubrail.
This platform was very light and would fold up flush against the transom until I later added trim tabs, which required removal of the innermost plank. Although I initially oiled the teak, I just let it weather because I didn't want a slick surface, and it held up fine. Skip is now putting it to good use on their Bowrider!
Teak is now so expensive, I think I'd use PVC board today for zero maintenance. Don't need the strength of Starboard since most of the load is carried by the tubing and ropes, and PVC is lighter and easy to glue, paint, etc.