Retractable steps on hydraulic swim platform

RobnBern

Member
Jan 24, 2010
212
Upper Potomac River
Boat Info
2015 470DA
Engines
Cummins 480 with Zeus
Hope everyone is well. This may be a crazy idea, but my wife was asking about installing retracting (for lack of a better term) steps in our GHS swim platform on our 2015 470DA. We purchased the boat in June this year and love it. This is, however, our first hydraulic platform, so we're still learning its limitations. It wasn't until today that we read you can't leave it deployed while at anchor (I've been told you could, but I read now that I can't). Anyway, there's no dingy on it, nor plans to put one anytime soon. Thoughts?
 
Leave it deployed? I think that depends on your definition of things. If you have it down at water level to swim and play in the water, then raise it when you're done I don't think that would be a problem.

I'm no x-spurt on things like this but I did stay in a Holiday Inn Express once.
 
What were the reasons that you can't leave it in the water while at anchor? I don't own a boat with a hyd platform, but have been on them and rafted up with them. Unless we've all been doing it wrong, we've done exactly that.

What you read... could it be more about leaving it permanently down - such as when you leave the boat? And less about being used while at "play"?
 
What were the reasons that you can't leave it in the water while at anchor? I don't own a boat with a hyd platform, but have been on them and rafted up with them. Unless we've all been doing it wrong, we've done exactly that.

What you read... could it be more about leaving it permanently down - such as when you leave the boat? And less about being used while at "play"?
This came straight from the manual I found online today from the manufacturer

"After launching your PWC, NEVER leave the platform in the down position. Always return the platform to the waterline or all the way up. As a point of interest, most large swim platforms have an area of approx 70 sq. ft.. When the platform is just 12” below the surface, there is a potential load 4500 pounds on top of it. With the boat at anchor, we can experience acceleration loads that exceed the limits of the system-so ALWAYS MOVE THE LIFT BACK TO AT LEAST THE WATERLINE."
 
The only issue is wave action when the platform is submerged which if bad enough could cause your platform/transom to fail.

You are on the Potomac river as I am and I have never worried about the platform down at water level when I'm at anchor. I even have a remote fob for mine that I have used maybe two times in 15 years. The theory behind that was raising or lowering the platform from the dinghy or jetski.

That is consistent with what your manual says. No need to put a ladder on it....get a waterproof remote and enjoy the platform.
 
We have a sealift on our 2001 410. We have never had an issue leaving it at its lowest point. We are in saltwater with some currents in bays. We have cheap folding chairs we sit in and enjoy the cool water on our feet and legs, with a chilled beer! No issues.
 
However, I can see with a strong current, the platform acting like a wing. Pushing up or down with great force. Or if your boat is swinging hard due to the wind. But at that point I wouldn’t be sitting out there anyway.
 
My lift operations are new to me as well. The only issue I can think of is with it being off the locks is the load possible exerted by currents and/or wave action. Any internal pressure bleed would result in the platform sinking to the lower limits of travel. Having said that, those are pretty stout Hydrolics actuators. Unless there is an internal failure of some sort I'm thinking leaving the platform at mid travel while at anchor would be no big issue. Just stow it back on the locks at the end of the day or if the wave action kicks up.
 
We have had our boat on an inland lake and have done a lot of swimming off the back of our boat. If the water is calm there is no issues with leaving the platform in the water. If the boat wake kicked up I would raise it to the waterline to take the stress off of it. As far as the steps go I have often thought of doing this. I have never figured out the engineering of how to do this and probably give up on it now because we are moving to Lake Michigan and there won’t be much swimming now. Getting a dinghy instead. The steps would be a nice addition, I think you are on to something.
 
The manual for my hydraulic platform (H+B from Germany) says pretty much the same thing, and I suspect it's a bit of a CYA maneuver.

If you're anchored in 1-2' waves where the platform is bobbing up and down along with the motion of the boat, there's a lot of stress on the mounting hardware/transom, so in those instances I'd want mine in the "upright and locked position."

But at a calm anchorage, I'll deploy it for the artificial beach effect.
 
We leave ours down while at the bay. I do keep it above the water a bit though. It tends to be the hang out area too. One thing that does concern me though, especially when we have guest, is the gap between the platform and boat while down. We try to leave it in a “tweener” spot so the step back to the boat isn’t too big.

I don’t think we could have another boat without a hydraulic platform though.
 
We usually deployed it about a foot under the water in protected coves. No real major rocking of the boat. I'd get the occasional wake but nothing big.
 
We leave ours down while at the bay. I do keep it above the water a bit though. It tends to be the hang out area too. One thing that does concern me though, especially when we have guest, is the gap between the platform and boat while down. We try to leave it in a “tweener” spot so the step back to the boat isn’t too big.

I don’t think we could have another boat without a hydraulic platform though.

EXACTLY. It's that gap that I'm concerned about. The L550 and others have an integrated set of steps that deploy as the platform goes down. The instructions for the 2013 model GHS are all I could find but, clearly says to stay off of the platform when its moving and to immediately retract it once the dingy is deployed. If that's the case, why have the steps. UNLESS the newer tech is better. The hunt for the answer continues but I love the conversation here. Thanks all
 
EXACTLY. It's that gap that I'm concerned about. The L550 and others have an integrated set of steps that deploy as the platform goes down. The instructions for the 2013 model GHS are all I could find but, clearly says to stay off of the platform when its moving and to immediately retract it once the dingy is deployed. If that's the case, why have the steps. UNLESS the newer tech is better. The hunt for the answer continues but I love the conversation here. Thanks all

I'm not sure what answer you want. Clearly the lawyers are writing the GHS use instructions probably based on their real world experience with GHS litigation. Human beings have to blame someone when they do things that are clearly stupid.

In this case, every hydraulic platform manufacturer uses the same basic tech. Hydraulic rams attached to a stainless steel framework that is bolted to the transom of the boat. We had a recent CSR member whose lift was damaged in the up position by high wind/wave action in his slip. Most platforms are rated between 600-900 pounds of dead weight. They are not built to 1000s pounds of sea water cantilevering the weight of the boat with the platform.

The stress is on the framework and the transom of the boat. In most cases the framework or platform will give way before the transom does. On my lift, the platform (TNT) is secured with break away bolts (and platform vent holes) so they will fail before the framework or transom.

I see absolutely no issue with leaving your platform down in calm waters as long as you stay with the boat. If you leave the boat....you should raise it.
 
I'm not sure what answer you want. Clearly the lawyers are writing the GHS use instructions probably based on their real world experience with GHS litigation. Human beings have to blame someone when they do things that are clearly stupid.

In this case, every hydraulic platform manufacturer uses the same basic tech. Hydraulic rams attached to a stainless steel framework that is bolted to the transom of the boat. We had a recent CSR member whose lift was damaged in the up position by high wind/wave action in his slip. Most platforms are rated between 600-900 pounds of dead weight. They are not built to 1000s pounds of sea water cantilevering the weight of the boat with the platform.

The stress is on the framework and the transom of the boat. In most cases the framework or platform will give way before the transom does. On my lift, the platform (TNT) is secured with break away bolts (and platform vent holes) so they will fail before the framework or transom.

I see absolutely no issue with leaving your platform down in calm waters as long as you stay with the boat. If you leave the boat....you should raise it.
Hi John, thanks for the response. I suppose the answer I'm looking for maybe twisted in the various applications I'm seeing and I don't have the manual for my specific unit. I'm heading down to the marina today to talk to service. But, the tech question comes from trying to better understand if the integrated steps are part of a design to allow the platform to stay submerged in calm waters and allow the operator to safely use it as a "beach". I would NEVER leave the boat with the platform in anything but the locked up position. As I said, if integrating steps to the current platform is safe and possible, that would be what I'd like to do. If not, no worries either. There's so much to enjoy about this boat as it is...

As for the damage in slip, that's really something. Must have been quite a day!!
 
I've put it down to the water level a few times but as mentioned, that huge gap scares the heck out of me with kids and wet feet. Bodily harm would surely occur if someone fell between the transom and platform.
 
I have someone install a fixed step to the transom to allow a better transition from the platforn to the boat when the platform is lowered.
I wish that I had taken a picture but didn't.
It was a teak step with stainless support that was just below the arc of the platform when being lowered (or raised). Simple idea that I thought had merit. I was never able to find the right step to make this modification to mine.
 
I know of someone that had a step installed on their new Sabre. Not sure how the operation of that platform compares to the one in question.

69993106_2409537635926915_501090265306497024_n.jpg


69256415_2409537649260247_5267850720815611904_n.jpg
 
All I am getting out of this thread is Hydraulic lift envy.... Damn you guys... So I could install a lift or buy a new car for what it's worth.... Or I could sell the boat and buy a house... Damn this analogy isn't working either.. :(
 
I had a TNT lift on my past HB and wish i had one on the 420 - next boat i guess!!!! Lift Envy is real!!
 

Forum statistics

Threads
112,946
Messages
1,422,763
Members
60,929
Latest member
Henchman
Back
Top