transom step (home made)

Redƒox · Guest

Ug, just catching up with the Brats... sorry I have been swamped... A summer project this year 2013. Best thing ever done to the transom since the electric tabs!

Just cob'd it together from salvaged junk Mad

with the TIG, but happy as hell with the toughness and KOOLness of the thing this year. Xmas LOL

Gets that extra cooler out of the way! Idea

With the new 70, ranging from moderate to heavy between fuelings and fish on 5 day trips, I go ashore in some tough spots, the extra grab and step area now is just fabulous Love

A no brainer, what tarnation took me so long! Disgust

thataway · Posted: Sun Oct 20, 2013 9:22 pm Post subject:

Looks like a piece of art to me! Nice.

anchorout · Posted: Sun Oct 20, 2013 9:45 pm Post subject: super

Wish I had your creativity. Even more so, I wish I could TIG weld half as well as you.

Sunbeam · Posted: Sun Oct 20, 2013 10:37 pm Post subject:

Wow, that looks great - and super functional too.

I was reading some of your older posts because I've been wondering how that Yamaha 70 has been working out for you (and how it might work out for my 22 Cruiser..). I know the displacement is "small" compared to an 80 or 90.... but I have this feeling the boat would handle great with so much less weight aft. If you have the time or inclination to write some about it now that you've had it awhile, I'd sure be interested to read it.

(I have a Yamaha 80 now. And of course the more "V-ed" hull. But keep thinking about that 70.... And fuel injection.... And the data you can get from the modern engines....)

Again, fantastic addition in that platform Thumbs Up

Glad you showed it to us.

Sunbeam

hardee · Posted: Mon Oct 21, 2013 1:37 am Post subject:

Nice Work. Looks good and serves more than one function.

Good to see you back "just catching up with the Brats..."

Harvey
SleepyC Moon

C-Val · Posted: Mon Oct 21, 2013 11:44 pm Post subject:

Hi Redfox
Great job on the welder!
I have only played around with mig to date. My next step is to try use my mig on aluminum.

BTW I too am very interested in your comments on the yami 70.
I also have a classic. Would you do the same thing again or go to a 90?
C-Val

Redƒox · Guest

Thanks guys! Smile

I almost couldn't get back on the site a few days ago, had to tinker with all that to get back on today.

One thing i forgot to mention. I took off the platform-style swim step that came on the Fox because it always slapped the water too much and really was too small to feel safe about puting anything important on it. I am often stern-to the breeze (in reverse on the kicker) trying to hover bottom fishing these days, rather than anchor in waters way too deep or wavy. Anyway, the pipe design is what I wanted to have the style, functionality, and quietness.

I'll try and give a quick update in my old thread about the new 70. Right now I'm on a project expanding the Borg Cube shop this fall, trying to beat freezup.

Thanks for the replies. In short, I've only grown more fond of the 70, its definitely slowed my once more rambunctious style way down. A good thing. Very Happy

C-Nile · Posted: Wed Oct 23, 2013 11:36 pm Post subject:

I'm going to be the oddball here and express concern that wonderful craftsmanship aside, using the transom step as shown in the picture could cause severe bodily injury. If your foot slips, your leg could slip through and it will either get stuck, or suffer a severe break. If this happened when you were alone, it could be very problematic and possibly life threatening. The solution, I would think, is to attach a flat plate with anti-skid properties across the top step supports. And if you are going to do that, attaching a fold down ladder would not be a bad idea, either. If you have ever fallen overboard, which I have done, it is very difficult to get back into a boat without a ladder. It would be hard even for a much younger man than me in frigid Alaskan waters.

Rich

Aurelia · Posted: Thu Oct 24, 2013 12:20 am Post subject:

To minimize the slapping but avoid the slip you could always find some tough black cargo netting or fish netting to wrap and tie tightly around the top section to make a mini cot like "platform", add traction, and still keep the slaps from happening. Plus your fingers could still go through it to grab the bar and it might even be a bit easier to hold onto with some net friction. I like my F70 too.

Greg

C-Nile · Posted: Thu Oct 24, 2013 6:03 am Post subject:

Redfox,
Greg got me thinking -- you could attach a steel grid across the top. If properly designed, it would support your weight, provide traction, and prevent slapping.

Rich

Foggy · Posted: Thu Oct 24, 2013 12:35 pm Post subject:

Me thinks this looks like a hole to (mis)step into - a trap rather than an aid.

Aye.

Redƒox · Guest

Yep, right yuz arz Very Happy

I'd prefer a thick nylon mesh over a metal one so far. I had imagined being in the water, this pipe is about the best thing for your fingers to latch on to. It's easy to grow the thing with more features, being thick walled SS tube.

I thunk up another transom extension idea I'm anxious to get started on. Since I last posted a couple years ago, I did many new things to the Fox.

PS: cupla beers Beer

always makes ye more sure-footed Mr. Green

Aurelia · Posted: Thu Oct 24, 2013 5:48 pm Post subject:

Don't be shy about adding more pics of your new additions. I really like your over-cockpit rack system and would like to see any additions or changes. I plan to build one in the future on a 19 for dinghy storage plus canvas support.

Greg

Redƒox · Guest

The rack was updated also this year, it is a dedicated trolling gear holder Smile

I luvit!! will put all that in another thread with pix when I get breaks. Thanks for the feedback and good company. TTFN Rainbow