Swim Deck mounted bike rack

[tedmalone]

I surfed the web a long time before finally buckling down and having a friend build this custom for me. I removed one of the oval pieces in the swim platform (not sure what they're for anyway) and installed an aluminum top plate and matching ring underneath, sandwiching the fiberglass. We then bolted a trailer hitch to the aluminum plate and installed a standard hitch-mount bike carrier. This one is a 4-bike Thule rack that is normally on my truck.

I had 3 bikes on it this weekend and it was rock solid. I'll be replacing it with something a bit lower profile and probably flipping it around so it's easier to get the bikes on/off. Now that we've done version 1, we're working on version 2 that will have a quick release plate with a blank for when I'm not using it and possibly a few other accessory mounts. Fun stuff. Comments and ideas welcome.

Here's a close-up.

 

[MonacoMike]

Nice mod!!! Keep waterproof lube on the bike drivetrain.
MM

 

[Ozzie-iv]

those oval holes are to reduce pressure on the swim platform from water/swell/surf pushing
underneath. for example you maybe at anchor and a large cruiser goes by creating a decent wave which heads for the stern of your boat. As it collides with the stern of your boat there is a huge upward pressure against the platform and those holes are meant to relieve that pressure. Hope that makes sense

Anyway, I like your idea except I cruise in saltwater