Swim Platform Fiberglass or Teak

JohnEGraham

JohnEGraham

Active Member
Aug 5, 2008
1,013
Long Island, NY.
Boat Info
250 Sundancer 1998 5.7.
Engines
350 Merc / Bravo 3
Hi, I have been in contact with someone who has a Teak swim platform that will fit my boat its 17 inches wide.
I was really trying to find a fiberglass platform but should i go take a look? What are the Pros and cons other that Maintenace. I really don't have any other Wood on the 25ft. Sundancer, not shure how it would look.
Any pics of your "like" boat w/ wood platform would be great.
Thanks and Happy New Years to all.
John G
 
JohnEGraham said:
Hi, I have been in contact with someone who has a Teak swim platform that will fit my boat its 17 inches wide.
I was really trying to find a fiberglass platform but should i go take a look? What are the Pros and cons other that Maintenace. I really don't have any other Wood on the 25ft. Sundancer, not shure how it would look.
Any pics of your "like" boat w/ wood platform would be great.
Thanks and Happy New Years to all.
John G
Click to expand...


scroll all the way down

http://www.teakmarinewoodwork.com/swim_dive_platforms.htm
 
Teak has become almost prohibitively expensive, $ 28.00 to $ 52.00 per BD Ft depending on width vs $ 9.00 for the mahoganies and other marine hardwoods. Wood cost alone on a rough guestimate (1.5' x 8.5' x 1.75 stock) would be in excess of $ 600.00. If the guy with the platform knows this he should be holding out for serious cash from somebody who wants to add some major bling. Even if it looks ratty, teak can be brought back to life (and look just like new) with a little elbow grease. Even if the teak is really bad in spots, it is worth repairing, and can be fixed with new sections, or dutchman patches.

That said maintenance is pretty simple, but labor intensive. If you go the oil route, a good cleaning with soap and water a couple of times a year and a coating of oil, in the spring and you are good to go. If you want to poly you can, but refurbishment on a 1-2 year basis requires sanding (uch!).

As for how it would look is personal taste. Myself, I believe the biggest shortcoming to Sea Rays is the lack of real wood on so many models. But I'm no stranger to teak maintenance and don't mind it. Some others may see the lack of wood and associated labor being a positive thing.

One last note you should try and make a pattern of the curve of your transom on paper and take it with you, if you decide to go look . While it might be the right size, the arc of the platform may not match your transom. Some trimming can be done, but a pattern will tell you if it is way off.

Henry

Henry
 
You will love the Swimplatforms. com product. Spend the money if you are going to keep the boat. It's like have an addition!
 
Thanks all for the info. I will take a look. No one talked about the width of 17 inches. I am not sure if that will clear the prop of my drive if you jump stright down off it. It will be worth it not to have to keep reminding eveyone to be careful.
John G.
 
wakeup 19 said:
You will love the Swimplatforms. com product. Spend the money if you are going to keep the boat. It's like have an addition!
Click to expand...

Good to know...I am waiting for mine to come!! It's on a ship on the atlantic now!!!

I also think that adding teak or flexiteek on it is an option for the future. (someone on the CSR did)
 
wakeup 19.....I will be ordering a platform from swimplatforms.com in the next month or so. I already run almost full tabs when cruising (generator adds weight). Did you notice a dramatic difference in running angle after you added you platform?
 
I bought a platform from swimplatforms.com and it is a great product, but the hardware that was sent with the platform was crap
Hopfully they have changed the bolts to a better model of stainless steel now

Checkout my thread about my platform
http://clubsearay.com/forum/showthread.php?t=6526
 
Hi John, I recently bought a new fiberglass swim platform from Contemporary Fiberglass (link was posted earlier http://myswimplatform.com) I described exactly what I wanted and they made it. I was able to take it to them to have it installed but they also ship them. They gave me an after picture and here's a before one of the older teak platform. I liked the teak platform but was tired of maintaining it. The new platform rides great. Good luck with your addition. PS...they also did my graphics for me from a drawing I made on a napkin :)
rockdocswimplatform09.jpg

customgraphics2.jpg
 
I am looking at having a Stainless one made about 40" wide at my local welding shop because all my rails are Stainless and the owner is a friend of mine.:grin:
Click to expand...

Daddubo,

Say your reply post and just had a thought you may want to consider:
Stainless is really heavy and you may want to figure out the weight before having one made.
The weight hanging off the transom really affects planing and cruising.

You may also want to consider something like aluminum.
Being in the great lakes, corrosion would not be an issue for you.
Our's is welded up of rectangular aluminum tubing and extends 42 inches from the transom.
I can lift it myself but it still weighs a bit. Very strong though.

Here is a pic that has ours in it.

tow_3.jpg
 
KC_Sundancer said:
Daddubo,

Say your reply post and just had a thought you may want to consider:
Stainless is really heavy and you may want to figure out the weight before having one made.
The weight hanging off the transom really affects planing and cruising.

You may also want to consider something like aluminum.
Being in the great lakes, corrosion would not be an issue for you.
Our's is welded up of rectangular aluminum tubing and extends 42 inches from the transom.
I can lift it myself but it still weighs a bit. Very strong though.
Click to expand...
KC that is a possibility I know I can get one made for way under $2000. I will have talk to the Fabracator and have him figure the weight diffrence. This is what I was thinking only bigger.
3k13oc3l95O65T75P29c5089aa510b40d1b.jpg
 
That tube style looks nice.
A bit less "commercial" looking than ours and would vent waves from the transom well.

Be sure your fabricator keeps the gaps small enough.
The one in the picture looks like it may have some "toe" issues near the back edge if standing on it bare foot.
I'd hate to have one get caught when jumping in the water. :wow:
 
Yea I see what you mean that would be ugly getting a toe stuck :smt089 When I get around to it I will discuss all the issues with him he does great work for me cheep mostly for 2 cases of Miller Lite.:grin:
 
Lets see if I can do this pic thing right
Heres a swim platform atop a glass one of a 235 weekender I just sold ( the teak platform). I personaly like the look of teak on swim platforms on older boats but then I own a cabinet shop . However the newer Searays do look sharp with the molded ones. If they are applied after the gelcoat I vote Teak
main.php


PS If anyone wants parts off this weekender 235 its a 1988 and going to the dumps Saturday. I have some photos of whars left
 
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