We just purchased a 1986 28.5. We knew we would not find a better value for the money asked and condition of the boat but we regret not having the sugar scoop transom on the newer models (and also the stern rail seating). We will be snorkeling from the boat and also boarding a dinghy regularly. I've got two related questions. 1. I think that we would be happy enough with one of the prefab solutions offered in the West Marine catalog but this would be my first encounter with boring holes in the hull of a sailboat. I'd like to get any information on how complicated and safe installing this kind of after market product is on a mid-sized mid-80s Hunter. Is this the kind of job that needs to be done by a professional? Anybody have any bad experiences making this kind of modification? 2. Does anybody know of a different approach to a swim platform? I saw one posting on this site about somebody who made their own mold and built their own fiberglass add on. That's way out of my effort range. But I'd be interested in a product that somebody else has been happy with. We'd also like for the platform support a dinghy stored sideways on the stern. Many thanks. Larry
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More trouble than it's worth
Larry, I have to be honest with you. First, I also think that my Hunter 285 (1987) was one of the best buys I ever found for a lot of good reasons that are best left to another posting. But a "dive boat" it's not. I would be very wary of drilling holes in the stern to attach a swim platform. In my humble opinion, I would keep the holes through the hull to a minimum. Besides, the transom is not a fiberglass/wood core/fiberglass area of the boat. Its just fiberglass and you would have to substantially reinforce that area for a platform. My wife and I swim just fine with the ladder down. We float cushions attached to the stern rails with floating line for a place to "hang out" while we're in the water. This seems to work out just fine. Yes, I wish we could have stern rail seats but that would mean re-locating the split backstays. I would be concerned that doing that and/or adding a swim platform would compromise the sailing characteristics of the 285. As for the dingy, why not just tow it? Or lash it down to the foredeck if you’re motoring and not using the jib? When we're back at our home slip we attach the main halyard to the inflatable and lift it out of the water just along side of the hull so it's hanging with the port or starboard side pointing up to the sky.
Larry, I have to be honest with you. First, I also think that my Hunter 285 (1987) was one of the best buys I ever found for a lot of good reasons that are best left to another posting. But a "dive boat" it's not. I would be very wary of drilling holes in the stern to attach a swim platform. In my humble opinion, I would keep the holes through the hull to a minimum. Besides, the transom is not a fiberglass/wood core/fiberglass area of the boat. Its just fiberglass and you would have to substantially reinforce that area for a platform. My wife and I swim just fine with the ladder down. We float cushions attached to the stern rails with floating line for a place to "hang out" while we're in the water. This seems to work out just fine. Yes, I wish we could have stern rail seats but that would mean re-locating the split backstays. I would be concerned that doing that and/or adding a swim platform would compromise the sailing characteristics of the 285. As for the dingy, why not just tow it? Or lash it down to the foredeck if you’re motoring and not using the jib? When we're back at our home slip we attach the main halyard to the inflatable and lift it out of the water just along side of the hull so it's hanging with the port or starboard side pointing up to the sky.
on the other hand
I've seen sail boats with either a full aftermarket platform accross the transom or a partial one on the side of the oem boarding ladder. The supports would probably need to be mounted above the platform, rather than below as on power boats, but they make models that can be mounted either way. I was planning to do this to my former H31, but bought another boat instead. (Yes, the open transom is very nice for coastoal sailors like me.) Seems like a very good idea to me and I am curious why more boatowners don't do it. Yes it would need to reinforced from behind, just like the boarding ladder is mounted (plywood behind it, I believe.) Afterall, the weight on the platform won't be different that on the ladder, unless of course you plan to have more than one person on there at a time. That would argue for the smaller platform to avoid overcrowing. Now if you're planning to sail to Hawaii, that might be another story.
I've seen sail boats with either a full aftermarket platform accross the transom or a partial one on the side of the oem boarding ladder. The supports would probably need to be mounted above the platform, rather than below as on power boats, but they make models that can be mounted either way. I was planning to do this to my former H31, but bought another boat instead. (Yes, the open transom is very nice for coastoal sailors like me.) Seems like a very good idea to me and I am curious why more boatowners don't do it. Yes it would need to reinforced from behind, just like the boarding ladder is mounted (plywood behind it, I believe.) Afterall, the weight on the platform won't be different that on the ladder, unless of course you plan to have more than one person on there at a time. That would argue for the smaller platform to avoid overcrowing. Now if you're planning to sail to Hawaii, that might be another story.
Thanks
Thanks to both Bob and Don for their quick and thoughtful replies. I'd sure like to hear from anybody who has actually DONE this, mounted a swim platform on a mid-sized sailboat. Is your boat still afloat? What did you experience? Haven't taken the measurements yet, but I was thinking of a pair of the small 'single-butt' platforms on either side of where the current ladder comes down. This is sort of what Don was recommending. I mentioned using the swim platform for boarding/deboarding a dinghy. Also need it for mounting the motor. In the absence of fancy dinghy davits (don't think this boat will support them) I think that the dinghy is going to have to be in the water before the motor is mounted. I just don't see myself balancing on the swim ladder trying to accomplish this. Any hints on this from somebody who's been there? Thanks to Bob for his ideas on dinghy storage but... I grit my teeth at the prospect of both cluttering the deck and towing. Its just a personal preference I think. Even if we don't go with a swim platform I think that we can haul an inflatable up to the stern rails and let it hang there. Thanks again, Larry
Thanks to both Bob and Don for their quick and thoughtful replies. I'd sure like to hear from anybody who has actually DONE this, mounted a swim platform on a mid-sized sailboat. Is your boat still afloat? What did you experience? Haven't taken the measurements yet, but I was thinking of a pair of the small 'single-butt' platforms on either side of where the current ladder comes down. This is sort of what Don was recommending. I mentioned using the swim platform for boarding/deboarding a dinghy. Also need it for mounting the motor. In the absence of fancy dinghy davits (don't think this boat will support them) I think that the dinghy is going to have to be in the water before the motor is mounted. I just don't see myself balancing on the swim ladder trying to accomplish this. Any hints on this from somebody who's been there? Thanks to Bob for his ideas on dinghy storage but... I grit my teeth at the prospect of both cluttering the deck and towing. Its just a personal preference I think. Even if we don't go with a swim platform I think that we can haul an inflatable up to the stern rails and let it hang there. Thanks again, Larry
Yes I build one
My previous boat was an canoe-stern motorsailer and I build a swim platform (actually twice, because the first version broke at the middle of Baltic sea ). We enjoyed the platform very much and I think that it is very good idea to build it. When planning my build I looked other boats with swim platform. Now ofterwards I think that almost none of the constructions I have seen are suitable for open sea (including my second construction). For coastal and protected waters they are great. Try this link (only in swedish) for pictures for different constructions. There are lot of pictures. http://www.batsystem.se/badplatt/index.htm
My previous boat was an canoe-stern motorsailer and I build a swim platform (actually twice, because the first version broke at the middle of Baltic sea ). We enjoyed the platform very much and I think that it is very good idea to build it. When planning my build I looked other boats with swim platform. Now ofterwards I think that almost none of the constructions I have seen are suitable for open sea (including my second construction). For coastal and protected waters they are great. Try this link (only in swedish) for pictures for different constructions. There are lot of pictures. http://www.batsystem.se/badplatt/index.htm
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