Swim platform for my 26S

[OverEasy]

Nice going StickInTheMud57!

One thought on your moisturizer problem… if it’s wet but not rotten mush… I’ve used an actual vacuum pump and gentle heat lamps (inside &out) to dry out sandwiches then back filled with thin slow setting epoxy pushed in under pressure to the evacuated space.
Best to evacuate from the top and feed epoxy in from the bottom.

Really thin and really slow setting epoxy.
I’ve pressure fed degassed epoxy to the bottom using a painters 1gallon pressure pot at 30 psi.
Clear plastic tubes at bottom feed and top vacuum line to see epoxy flow.

Good Luck

[Stickinthemud57]

Thanks for the pointers! Another one for the ongoing project list.

[Stickinthemud57]

Progress made!

I painted the frame and set about to rig the transom support lines, but found the snaps I wanted to use were too small for the hardware at the transom. I used two larger ones from a previous project and ordered more, but was able to do some installation and testing by sitting on the corner and bouncing up and down. Everything seems nice and solid not giving or sounds of stress at the transom, and with a tensile strength of 1750 lbs, I am confident the Dyneema rope will hold up just fine. The eyebolts bent (can't say I'm surprised), so I am going to replace the with something heftier with a two-point attachment.

Rope rig holding up the platform:

I am using turnbuckles to give me fine adjustment of the platform angle

Close-up of rope rig:

All transom hardware is backed up with large plywood or plexiglass plates inside the transom.

Bent eye bolt:

Not quite up to the job.

The deck will be covered with white SeaDek .5mm foam.

[Jimmyt]

Looks great! Passed the bounce test! Only a small design change required on the I-bolt. Sounds like a very successful mod! Congratulations!

[OverEasy]

Looks Great!

[Stickinthemud57]

Thanks!

I have the day free to work on this, so hopefully will have it at or near completion soon.

This fitting is definitely up to the task:

[Stickinthemud57]

Major milestones!

I got the HDPE top all finished and fastened. Next stop SeaDek!


I finally got the inspiration needed for mounting the ladder...


I fitted the platform with two pieces of 3/4" all thread and drilled them to accept a 3/16" pin...


I likewise drilled the pivots for the ladder (cut off from the original mounts which are still attached to the transom). They are held in place by 3/16" pins.


I fashioned a brace from aluminum L, notched the lower ends so they would conform to the shape of the ladder tube, and mounted it with hinges to the underside of the platform:


This will allow me to install the ladder on the platform or on the transom, depending on whether or not the platform is installed. I'm really glad I figured out a way to used it and avoid the expense and extra weight of an underdeck mount ladder. I have a plan to make it so I can manage the brace from the platform, just didn't have time this evening to do that.

[OverEasy]

Nice!

[Stickinthemud57]

Today's progress...

Filled holes and applied a few coats of paint to the frame. Enlarged the slot for the rudder rope so I could get my arm down low enough to reach the rudder rope. My plan is to have a short rope attached to the rudder with a loop that I can clip the rudder pull-up line to. Big step was to apply SeaDek .5mm self-adhesive foam to the HDPE deck. I was concerned because paint and Sharpie marks rub right off the HDPE, so I was thinking the 3M adhesive might not hold as well as I would like. I experimented with various solvents but settled on a light sanding with 800 grit wetordry. Snaps arrived in the mail, so I was able to complete the starboard harness.

Platform as of 6:20 CST today. Note addition of Taylor dock bumpers. Don't want to ding another boat in a raft-up! Also added a grab bar for swimmer security, and it doubles as a handy carrying handle. They came two to an order, so I added a one at the transom just behind the lazarette.


Close up of SeaDek .5mm closed-cell foam. Wish I had known about this stuff when I modded my Hunter 170!


Meanwhile, back at the transom, I used 3/4" all-thread to provide a solid extension for mounting the boarding ladder when the swim deck is not in use. I would have preferred unthreaded rod, but could not find it at Lowes or HD.


Like at the deck, ladder is held in place using 3'/16" pins.

[Stickinthemud57]

I took advantage of a day off to do a shakedown installation of the swim platform and everything went practically without a hitch. Prior to today I had only installed it on dry land, and wanted to work out the process of installing it on the water from the boat.

I tied a rope to each of the two eyebolts I had installed at the port and starboard forward corners, and one to the grab handle at the aft edge and lowered it into the water using the grab handle. As expected, it floats. I led it around to the stern and lifted it into the C-channel supports tying the ropes off at the mooring cleats on the port and starboard coamings. I took the rope tied to the grab handle and looped it around the topping lift where it attaches to the boom, lifted the platform up into position and tied it off, then attached the support lines to the U-bolts I had installed in the transom for that purpose. I had to back up a few steps when I realized the ladder support would not swing clear of the rudder with the platform in place, but that was simple enough to do.

I switched the boarding ladder from the transom to the platform and that was that. Done!

Fully deployed


Ladder and support up for cruising, rudder up to confirm shallow water capability


All my standing tests had been done on land, so with taking an unplanned swim the only real risk, I gave it a good, rowdy bounce and rock test. Nothing broke, creaked, or cracked, so I think I am good to go.

I considered taking it out for a test cruise, but decided to save it for a less windy day. I plan to add some kind of floatation to the ladder. That does NOT float!

Overall VERY pleased. Can't wait to start using it!

[OverEasy]

Congratulations