extended platform on I/O ?

Vampyre · Addict Joined: 12 Oct 2004 Posts: 622 City: Ooltewah, TN

I have done a search on this topic, and have seen some good pictures and ideas..but want to throw it out there again...
Has anyone any experience with an extended swim platform for an I/O.... I have a 99 Bayliner 185SS.
If I make it out of teak, I would either adjust trim stop, so the outdrive won't hit the platform, or hinge a center section.
I guess what i am most concerned about is the support structure (stainless steel), and any issues people had along the way.
Would love to see pictures of completed ones, as well as in process...
Thanks in advance.

vette74 · Posted: Sep 29, 2005 10:13 am Post subject:

I built one for my boat. I welded brackets out of aluminum to support the platform however the aluminum wasn't thick enough and it flexes a lot I am going to weld a thicker backing plate so it doesn't flex as much. I built mine out of cedar if I were to do it again I would build it out of teak because the cedar dents really easy and it is not as sturdy. I have a deep V hull on my boat so the outdrive sits really low under the water so I had a lot of clearance to put my platform on. To measure I trimmed the motor all the way up (I also have a hydrofoil or whale tail on my outdrive) and measured from the back of the transom to the edge of the hydrofoil where it would hit and took off 2 inches for safety. The platform ended up being about 2 1/2 feet long. The platform also sits about 4" higher than the original to clear the outdrive and also because I run 1200 lbs in my boat and I still wanted the platform to be above the water. I made the platform one afternoon and bolted it all up. I recently took it apart to strengthen the bracket but it has worked fine so far. If you have any other questions post back. I don't have any pictures available right now.

Vampyre · Addict Joined: 12 Oct 2004 Posts: 622 City: Ooltewah, TN

Did you use backing plates on the inside of your hull? Was that a b!tch to get to? How many vertical supports did you use? I am thinking of using 4.
I too have a "whale tail" and will have to check it for clearance.
You said you had an original, was it one of those wood, half platforms?
I have a platform made of fiberglass, about a foot wide though. I am looking for something I can stand on, to put on the board, etc.
What year and type is your boat?
Thanks for the response!

vette74 · Posted: Sep 29, 2005 12:07 pm Post subject:

I did not use backing plates just large stainless washers and stainless bolts. The original one only had 1 1/2" washers. I used 2 supports to start with and added 2 more however once I strenghten mine I will go back with 2. Yea my original one was about 12" x 18" it sucked bad it was so small you could not even sit on it to put the board on. My boat is an 89 Regal 19' with a 4.3 and an alpha 1 outdrive.

baggyman · Soul Rider Joined: 19 Aug 2004 Posts: 331 City: Vegas

I had Swimplatforms.com make me one in Phoenix. Ill send you pictures if you want. It is perfect and huge. Made out of fiberglass.

thebulkhimself · Newbie Joined: 31 Mar 2006 Posts: 9

Can anybody add some photos - preferably bracket photos and backing plate photos - Whats the deal with making the bracket holes water tight - Im new to boating but not new to engineering - any help would be good

fish6942 · Addict Joined: 22 Feb 2006 Posts: 603

I built a platform for my Crownline 180 last year. It turned out better than expected. It is very solid, no interference with the outdrive even when fully trimmed up and it sits right at water level when you get a couple people standing on it. I milled two slots on the right side of the top deck to provide handles when climbing on. There are no exposed fasteners on the top side. The factory boat ladder came off but there are provisions to mount it to the underside of the platform right below the milled slots. The material is HDPE decking lumber. Total weight is around 90 lbs. As you can see, there are no provisions to easily remove it.

I've included a link to some pictures of it.

http://pg.photos.yahoo.com/ph/fish_6942/album?.dir=fe89&.src=ph&store=&prodid=&.done=http%3a//photos.yahoo.com/ph//my_photos

BTW - The boat's for sale!! (fish6942@hotmail.com)

kevthayer · Outlaw Joined: 12 Sep 2005 Posts: 231 City: Benicia

Where can I buy some TeakWood?

bjeremi · Soul Rider Joined: 30 Jan 2006 Posts: 433 City: Owasso

fish6942, lets get some more info on yours. Where did you get the mounts?

fish6942 · Addict Joined: 22 Feb 2006 Posts: 603

410fortune · Soul Rider Joined: 24 Jun 2005 Posts: 314 City: Morrison

So you took the measurements with the boat in the water? (of course)

That came out super nice and simple (wheels are spinning)
Nice job!

gambo2166 · Newbie Joined: 26 Feb 2004 Posts: 15 City: Santa Maria

Fish I have the same boat . Sell me the swim platform!!! Smile

regal218 · Newbie Joined: 03 Apr 2006 Posts: 4

You can't buy Teak any cheaper then EBAY!!! I just built a 6' X 24" platform out of Teak I purchase from ebay. Total Cost, $200.00. The boards were ruff cut but I just ran them through a planer and they came out beautiful.

Vampyre · Addict Joined: 12 Oct 2004 Posts: 622 City: Ooltewah, TN

fish6942, WOW, that turned out very nice. Do you mind sharing what your material cost was, and a break down, if you have time please?
If I keep my I/O, I would like to make something just like this. Looks very nice and professional.
Good job!

Rhawn · Posted: Jun 16, 2006 7:04 pm Post subject:

Fish, that is an awesome job man. Access to the right equipment helps I'm sure. But its nice to know you can build one on your own that looks very nice. Wheels are spinnin here also.

Rhawn · Posted: Jun 16, 2006 7:15 pm Post subject:

regal218 · Newbie Joined: 03 Apr 2006 Posts: 4

Rhawn,

I'm using all custom built stainless mounting brackets. A friend is making them for me. I made a pattern out of wood of the brackets and gave them to him to copy. It should be rock solid when done. I'll post some pictures when done.