JamesT
Active Member
Two big differences....One, if you look at the photo I posted earlier in this thread of my old platform leaning against the fence you will see the part that mounts to the transom has a large and very thick face to it that is secured to the hull with 12 huge through hull bolts. That face doesn't exist on the new platform because the platform of course can't be fastened to the hull. Second, you will notice very large, thick, and deep stringers than run parallel to boat. These huge stringers are necessary because the old platform has to support so much cantilevered weight (the weight of itself which is about 800 lbs, plus the weight of humans standing on it). The new platform has much smaller stringers that run the opposite direction because the lifting arms run parallel to the boat. My guess is that the new platform weighs 400 lbs. Each arm weights maybe 150 lbs each (I estimate that because I picked one up and bicep curled the weight 8 times). That was a joke of course. Most I can curl with one arm is 100 lbs. OK I'll stop joking.
The new platform looked brand new to me but I was told by owner that it probably would not be new. The rub rail was brand new all the way around and the ladder looked brand new with zero rust. The only thing not exactly like my old platform on the surface was the Sea Ray emblem in the center bubble hole was absent.
