Adding a Swim Platform to a traditional transom

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Rob19574

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Feb 4, 2005
524
Catalina C-30 Mattituck, NY
[FONT=Calibri, Verdana, Helvetica, Arial]Hi All -

I have an older style transom on my Catalina 30 that does not have an open or walk through transom. I have a teak-step boarding ladder that folds down from the cockpit and into the water direct center on the stern. It makes it difficult boarding and de-boarding into our dingy as there is no place to stand that is close enough to the water. My kids are also on and off the stern swimming whenever on the hook and I would like to add a swim platform to my stern next to the boarding ladder. I have space on either side of the ladder to add a platform (or maybe 2; both sides). I am thinking a traditional SS / teak platform found on powerboats (designed for inboard/outboard engines) will fit neatly beside the boarding ladder.

I would love to hear any feedback, opinions or suggestions others have on this project, especially if you added a swim platform to a traditional non-walk-thru transom.

Thanks in advance.

- Rob[/FONT]
 
Stu Jackson

Stu Jackson

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Feb 26, 2004
22,986
Catalina 34 224 Maple Bay, BC, Canada
Whatever you do, don't make it so wide that it will start trailing in the water when you're heeled.

A friend added two metal swim steps outboard of where his ladder folded down. He found these acceptable although he wold have used stainless if he could have found them. I forget whether they were fold down/flip ups or fixed, IIRC they were fixed. Works for him at home in British Columbia and for their trip to Mexico.

http://c34.org/bbs/index.php/topic,4456.15.html
 
Scott T-Bird

Scott T-Bird

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Oct 26, 2008
6,240
Catalina 320 Barnegat, NJ
Although it is tricky to get the right height, I think, I like Dan's first option way more than the second. I've thought of doing that myself. With a platform, you don't really need a ladder to get from the water to the platform, although it might help those who don't like pulling themselves up. I've seen ladders that are attached and fold down from the platform. You could then use a permanently mounted step or two to get inside the boat.

I think if you want to have the platform permanently horizontal, you can use brackets (like a ski boat has it mounted) instead of the chain. But I agree with Stu that with a sailboat, you might want the platform smaller at the ends and raised off the water slightly to stay out of the water when sailing/heeling
 
RAD

RAD

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Jun 3, 2004
2,330
Catalina 30 Bay Shore, N.Y.
Awhile back someone posted a real nice one he built and it was just the right size and shape....got me thinking to add one to my very flat transom......try doing a search
 
Joe

Joe

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Jun 1, 2004
8,163
Catalina 27 Mission Bay, San Diego
Dan Johnson said:
Here are two pix of different solutions to your question...
Click to expand
That teak platform is a monster! I'm thinking "dance floor" Wonder how much the owner spent on it.

Biggest issue for me is not getting in and out of the dinghy.... but can I get out of the water!!! Both need a fold down, weighted step ladder.
 
Dan Johnson

Dan Johnson

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Oct 14, 2005
2,191
1983 Hunter H34 North East, MD
Hey Joe...

That teak one is on the back of a Hunter 31, which tapers toward the stern and inward to the waterline, same as my H34. I don't think its quite as big as it looks.

Also, when powered up, the sterns of these boats squat so I would expect that the platform is pretty close to the wave tops then.
 
Stu Jackson

Stu Jackson

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Feb 26, 2004
22,986
Catalina 34 224 Maple Bay, BC, Canada
Joe said:
That teak platform is a monster! I'm thinking "dance floor" Wonder how much the owner spent on it.

Biggest issue for me is not getting in and out of the dinghy.... but can I get out of the water!!! Both need a fold down, weighted step ladder.
Click to expand
Dane? I'd love to! :cussing: Maybe the chain is telling us something...

Weighted ladder is very important, like also having a rung low enough to get out of the water. We added an "Extend-a-Step" to ours. I forget who made it, Johnson or Forespar, etc. Works just great. Keep it in the aft cabin when not using the ladder or it stays attached even when the ladder is up during the summer.
 
kenn

kenn

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Apr 18, 2009
1,271
CL Sandpiper 565 Toronto
yeah, having at least a couple of ladder rungs into the water is essential, in my opinion. It took two tries for us to find the optimal model.

I don't think I'd want a permanent swim platform, even if it folds. Maybe the platform solution is some sort of horizontal "shelf" or step that clips onto the ladder for when you want that function.
 
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