I just bought a 30 ft sailboat this winter ,I`m new to sailing and its on land until spring.its a 1981 hunter, My first question is why don`t sailboats have swim platforms like power boats do ? If I were to install a custom teak platform that would fold up out of the water and making it so its no wider than the rear of the boat,will it perform the way it should while undersail ? would it change in how the boat sails? Will it hurt anything ? I`m a scubadiver and a swim platform for getting in and out would be great on my boat. How big of rib inflatable can be pulled behide while undersail ? I have a 14ft ribbed inflatable with a 25hp motor . Is that to big of a inflatable to pull behide my 30ft while sailing? if so why? Thanks so much,
mounting a swim platform on my 30ft sailboat ?
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Try an archive search
on "platform" and start reading-- lotsa good info there They DO make stern platforms, it's called a walk through transom on newer boats.
on "platform" and start reading-- lotsa good info there They DO make stern platforms, it's called a walk through transom on newer boats.
questions! a good start
Some sailboats have swim platforms. You see them on bigger boats. Smaller boats have smaller sterns and while it would be possible to install a swim platform the vast majority of sailors on smaller boats don't sail where you do a lot of swimming. My case is I sail on the Chesapeake Bay and between the less than 1 foot vis and the jelly fish it is not something that gets done much. The boat manufactures have picked up on this and so don't put swim platforms on smaller boats. Larger boats tend to get used on cruses where the water is "swimmable" and so you see them there. Other than the look it gives a swim platform should not interfere with the boats performance. The only thing I can think of is the extra windadge aft that might make the boat have some weather helm. Towing a 14' dingy will slow your boat but not noticeably.
Some sailboats have swim platforms. You see them on bigger boats. Smaller boats have smaller sterns and while it would be possible to install a swim platform the vast majority of sailors on smaller boats don't sail where you do a lot of swimming. My case is I sail on the Chesapeake Bay and between the less than 1 foot vis and the jelly fish it is not something that gets done much. The boat manufactures have picked up on this and so don't put swim platforms on smaller boats. Larger boats tend to get used on cruses where the water is "swimmable" and so you see them there. Other than the look it gives a swim platform should not interfere with the boats performance. The only thing I can think of is the extra windadge aft that might make the boat have some weather helm. Towing a 14' dingy will slow your boat but not noticeably.
Hey, Chet
I am also interested in a swim platform for my Catalina and asked the same question a couple of months ago. I was looking for new ideas for my boat by looking at simlar models like mine on yachtworld and came across a nice looking swim platform. I contacted the listing broker but he wasn't able to provide any info on it. The only other idea I had was to take a photo of what I wanted to a custom fabrication shop. They often build custom T-tops, towers, polling platforms ect for boats. Thats the only help I can offer,if you came up with a better idea would you please post it. As far as it interfering with sailing, perhaps a little if it is not thought out well and installed correctly. As far as towing a dingy, I have a small 10' inflatable with a 4 horsepower and it does slow me down a bit. On a longer trip every knot counts but on a trip to the local island it doesn't matter much. Also, I am not a transmssion specialist but I would be concerned about working the drive system too hard while under power with a heavy dingy and large outboard motor. Just my early morning thoughts, good luck, Jack
I am also interested in a swim platform for my Catalina and asked the same question a couple of months ago. I was looking for new ideas for my boat by looking at simlar models like mine on yachtworld and came across a nice looking swim platform. I contacted the listing broker but he wasn't able to provide any info on it. The only other idea I had was to take a photo of what I wanted to a custom fabrication shop. They often build custom T-tops, towers, polling platforms ect for boats. Thats the only help I can offer,if you came up with a better idea would you please post it. As far as it interfering with sailing, perhaps a little if it is not thought out well and installed correctly. As far as towing a dingy, I have a small 10' inflatable with a 4 horsepower and it does slow me down a bit. On a longer trip every knot counts but on a trip to the local island it doesn't matter much. Also, I am not a transmssion specialist but I would be concerned about working the drive system too hard while under power with a heavy dingy and large outboard motor. Just my early morning thoughts, good luck, Jack
check out brian and stephs hunter
Brian did this to his hunter 25 and it looks great! Same idea as yours. Their post is either one or two, especially if the boat babe is sending pictures. Try to ignore them for awhile and if you go back in the archives, you can find pictures of his doings under Brian and Stef. Good luck.
Brian did this to his hunter 25 and it looks great! Same idea as yours. Their post is either one or two, especially if the boat babe is sending pictures. Try to ignore them for awhile and if you go back in the archives, you can find pictures of his doings under Brian and Stef. Good luck.
Chet
Chet, I went to a fabrication shop today and they said they build swim platforms for sailboats often. It's funny that I have never seen that many. Anyway, a ball park guess was $500 to $600 bucks and would go the lenth of the stern. {far cheaper than i thought].They are coming to the boat to take measurements and give me a firm price {installed}. They would make it from aluminum with stainless steel backing plates. This would include a fiberglass {simlulated wood}planking. If I decide on a teak platform it will cost more. If your interested I will pass on more info as the work is being done. One more thing, I do plan on asking for references. Jack
Chet, I went to a fabrication shop today and they said they build swim platforms for sailboats often. It's funny that I have never seen that many. Anyway, a ball park guess was $500 to $600 bucks and would go the lenth of the stern. {far cheaper than i thought].They are coming to the boat to take measurements and give me a firm price {installed}. They would make it from aluminum with stainless steel backing plates. This would include a fiberglass {simlulated wood}planking. If I decide on a teak platform it will cost more. If your interested I will pass on more info as the work is being done. One more thing, I do plan on asking for references. Jack
Ah, Jack,,,
The aluminum will turn to powder in a year or so. The platform must be Teak. The price quote you were given was a 'come-on'.
The aluminum will turn to powder in a year or so. The platform must be Teak. The price quote you were given was a 'come-on'.
Fred
I'm glad to know about the aluminum not being the best. What would you suggest? Teak would be my first choice and I usually try to do things the right way the first time. Well see about the cost. He didn't have any teak in stock but said he pays about $20 a foot for it [6" wide}. About the price being a come on, maybe, but it's not costing me anything for the estimate and their wasting their time and their fuel if the price is too far off. I'll keep you posted. Jack
I'm glad to know about the aluminum not being the best. What would you suggest? Teak would be my first choice and I usually try to do things the right way the first time. Well see about the cost. He didn't have any teak in stock but said he pays about $20 a foot for it [6" wide}. About the price being a come on, maybe, but it's not costing me anything for the estimate and their wasting their time and their fuel if the price is too far off. I'll keep you posted. Jack
Jack, some considerations.
A platform has to fit not only the boat but you. And it has to be strong enough for you and your dive gear. Thats a tall order. And don't forget to check your transom position while under sail and motoring. The waterline usually rises on the stern while moving. If you can work out the installation there are many sailors who would like to copy your platform. Hopefully I can get to the head of the line. Good luck.
A platform has to fit not only the boat but you. And it has to be strong enough for you and your dive gear. Thats a tall order. And don't forget to check your transom position while under sail and motoring. The waterline usually rises on the stern while moving. If you can work out the installation there are many sailors who would like to copy your platform. Hopefully I can get to the head of the line. Good luck.
low budget alternative
Have you thought about using the inflatable as a swim platform? Just snug it up to the stern or raft it alongside with a suspended step to get back on board the mother ship.
Have you thought about using the inflatable as a swim platform? Just snug it up to the stern or raft it alongside with a suspended step to get back on board the mother ship.
Swim platform and dink
I had a friend with an older Islander 30' and he had a SS and teak swim platform built. Looked and performed great. He glassed in large ss backing plates to distribute the load over a large area.
I had a friend with an older Islander 30' and he had a SS and teak swim platform built. Looked and performed great. He glassed in large ss backing plates to distribute the load over a large area.
Thanks to you yall
Thanks for all the information guys, I have a part time business "Hoffman`s Furniture" building custom built solid wood furniture. so building a platform , for me is the easy part. finding the right hardware or having something custom made so it will fold up, will take a little time, theres alot of weld shops in my area,thats not a real big deal ether , just $$$. My biggest certain was as long as its out of the water while I`m sailing and or healing hard that its not going to change the way the boat sails. And from the response you sailors sent me I feel that this will not hurt my boats performents. I will post some pictures of the platform mounted when finished. I`m also going to make myself a pair of custom doors to enter into the cabin ,to replace the boards that stack together,I will post pictures also . Thanks so much to you all. CHET
Thanks for all the information guys, I have a part time business "Hoffman`s Furniture" building custom built solid wood furniture. so building a platform , for me is the easy part. finding the right hardware or having something custom made so it will fold up, will take a little time, theres alot of weld shops in my area,thats not a real big deal ether , just $$$. My biggest certain was as long as its out of the water while I`m sailing and or healing hard that its not going to change the way the boat sails. And from the response you sailors sent me I feel that this will not hurt my boats performents. I will post some pictures of the platform mounted when finished. I`m also going to make myself a pair of custom doors to enter into the cabin ,to replace the boards that stack together,I will post pictures also . Thanks so much to you all. CHET
Fred, just look at any older competition ski boat
They were all built with teak swim platforms that have plenty of width and the supports are very simple (many of the newer ones are now built with an integrated platform with the hull). It shouldn't be all that expensive to obtain one. A ski boat is different though, because under way, the hull is lifted while planing and the deck doesn't interfere. The problem is like you say, when it is positioned on the stern at a height that is convenient for swimming, it will interfere with the performance of the boat under sail (or even motoring). I thought about doing the same thing with our 27' Starwind because we spend a lot of time swimming. Finding a hinged support so the deck can be raised to the stern is probably too tricky. I think the deck would still interfere with performance when heeled over. Put the platform up too high and it looks stupid and isn't very useful. In the end, I thought the platform would ruin the lines of the boat and we settled on a decent ladder.
They were all built with teak swim platforms that have plenty of width and the supports are very simple (many of the newer ones are now built with an integrated platform with the hull). It shouldn't be all that expensive to obtain one. A ski boat is different though, because under way, the hull is lifted while planing and the deck doesn't interfere. The problem is like you say, when it is positioned on the stern at a height that is convenient for swimming, it will interfere with the performance of the boat under sail (or even motoring). I thought about doing the same thing with our 27' Starwind because we spend a lot of time swimming. Finding a hinged support so the deck can be raised to the stern is probably too tricky. I think the deck would still interfere with performance when heeled over. Put the platform up too high and it looks stupid and isn't very useful. In the end, I thought the platform would ruin the lines of the boat and we settled on a decent ladder.
Fiberglass??
My stern is fairly flat ram about the waterline on up. What about glassing in a narrow say 18" section that follows the lines of the hull?? Start with a form that follows the hull at waterline and then glass it fair leaving the top flat. If you are good with fiberglass and foam you could shape a block of foam and then glass it to the hull. This would increase the waterline a little and give a little more hull speed. Bolt a swing down ladder to this platform. If you used foam you could even design it to bolt to the stern so that it could be easily removed. If kept to a small volume and narrow it shouldn't change much about the boat's performance in a following sea.
My stern is fairly flat ram about the waterline on up. What about glassing in a narrow say 18" section that follows the lines of the hull?? Start with a form that follows the hull at waterline and then glass it fair leaving the top flat. If you are good with fiberglass and foam you could shape a block of foam and then glass it to the hull. This would increase the waterline a little and give a little more hull speed. Bolt a swing down ladder to this platform. If you used foam you could even design it to bolt to the stern so that it could be easily removed. If kept to a small volume and narrow it shouldn't change much about the boat's performance in a following sea.
Custom swim platforms
I did a web search on "custom swim platforms" and found alot of places are making nice platforms for sailboats. I found a place across the bay from me that I will use for a 2nd estimate. If you are interested in a swim platform try a web search and check out the different types. good luck, Jack
I did a web search on "custom swim platforms" and found alot of places are making nice platforms for sailboats. I found a place across the bay from me that I will use for a 2nd estimate. If you are interested in a swim platform try a web search and check out the different types. good luck, Jack
pool noodles
I cut pool noodles( took awhile to find burgandy ones) cut them to size to fit inside the ladder, then sliced them lenght-wise and secured them with hose clamps. Much nicer feel on your feet when climbing back aboard. ladder does float alittle unless your sitting still but thems the price we pay for comfort. Pray for Wind, Lugeman
I cut pool noodles( took awhile to find burgandy ones) cut them to size to fit inside the ladder, then sliced them lenght-wise and secured them with hose clamps. Much nicer feel on your feet when climbing back aboard. ladder does float alittle unless your sitting still but thems the price we pay for comfort. Pray for Wind, Lugeman
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