swim platform question

breausaw · Posted: Sun Mar 16, 2008 11:37 pm Post subject: swim platform question

Wondering if I can purchase the swim platform directly from the factory. We'll be using our tender quit often and believe the swim step will offer better access then climbing over the side.
Installation looks to be strait forward, or do I need to pull the full cells?

colobear · Posted: Sun Mar 16, 2008 11:40 pm Post subject:

Jay,

if you have a single, I think you can order a swim step factory direct. If you have twins, contact Les at EQ for information about the step he designed and installs.

Alyssa Jean · Posted: Mon Mar 17, 2008 9:39 am Post subject:

The single swim step is just through bolted onto the transom and the edges filled/sealed with caulk. The biggest challenge is getting to the inside to get the backing washers and nuts on.

breausaw · Posted: Mon Mar 17, 2008 3:50 pm Post subject:

Just got off the phone with Dave at the Auburn factory who said the swim steps are available -$410 – and that if I talk with Fred he will walk me through installation. Looks like I’ll have to pull the Port fuel cell, but Fred’s the guy who will know.
I plan on swinging by the factory before retrieving Triple J for the long hall back up to Anchorage.

GOYO · Posted: Mon Mar 17, 2008 4:31 pm Post subject:

I would consider using a boarding ladder hung on the gunnel for dinghy access. I have a swim step on our 25 and positioning the dinghy for access from the swim step is a little tricky. Much easier to tie off on the side and access from the ladder. Ladders are also a lot cheaper and do not require holes in the hull.

breausaw · Posted: Mon Mar 17, 2008 5:49 pm Post subject:

Sea Wolf · Posted: Mon Mar 17, 2008 6:09 pm Post subject:

We use an inexpensive $75 aluminum ladder that hooks over the gunnel to get into and out of the water to swim here on Shasta alake in the summer, but it's no where near as stable as the one that hooks into fittings installed on the top of the gunnel like the factory option model.

The cheaper ladder strains under the weight of 200+ pound mariners, but if you fall into 78 degree freshwater that your were getting into anyway, who cares?

If I were going to use a ladder to get into a dinghy in the PNW, I get a very strong, rigidly mounted one with wide, flat, non-slip coated steps, etc.

Might still cost only a little less than the swim step, though.

What would really work would be a rigid, but removable ladder with a fold down swim step on the side of the boat, or, better yet, a swim step/platform attached to the bottom of a rigid removeable ladder. Idea

Joe.

SEA3PO · Posted: Mon Mar 17, 2008 6:09 pm Post subject:

I have a beautiful heavy teak full width swim step that I sure would like to sell.....woulden't fit a C-Dory though...it's 8' wide and about 3' deep....with brackets....anyone know someone who has an imboard that needs a swim step.\ ??

Joel
SEA3PO

Grumpy · Posted: Mon Mar 17, 2008 6:17 pm Post subject:

Only problem with ladders is the one time you fall in and the ladder is still inside the boat. Sad

Most steps from the motor well can be reached from the water.

Do agree that some of the good ladders are much more stable and a good addition if you want to safely transition to a dinghy.

Merv

Ron on Meander · Posted: Mon Mar 17, 2008 6:26 pm Post subject:

journey on · Posted: Mon Mar 17, 2008 6:39 pm Post subject:

On Journey On, we tie the dingy alongside either side, and embark/board over the side. The gunnel isn't too high, and if you tie the dingy fore and aft, it's secure enough to stand in.

We use the swim step as its name indicates, for entering the water, with the boarding ladder. However, the primary function of the swim step/boarding ladder is to get on the boat when it's on the trailer and out of the water. We use a small folding step to get to the ladder and then go from there. A third use is in going from the boat to the dock when the bimini is up, and especially with the side canvass on.

In summary, the swim step is great and worth it.

Boris

GOYO · Posted: Mon Mar 17, 2008 7:18 pm Post subject:

It is apparently personal choice. I find the swim step a little precarious for loading and unloading from the dinghy. I find the boarding (stout ladder) ladder easier to use and more secure when the dinghy is side tied at both ends and I have things to hang on to. I use both the ladder and swim step to board the boat on the trailer. I store the ladder upright on the right side of the cabin door. Also a side note, I fell off my boat a year ago while cleaning it in the driveway and broke my leg in 6 places, may have something to do with desire to hang on to something any time I go on or off the boat.

Sea Wolf · Posted: Mon Mar 17, 2008 7:23 pm Post subject:

On a C-Dory, mounting things in the engine well like a cooler rack, propane tank, generator, kicker motor, BBQ, etc. can certainly play havoc with the access to a swim step.

On a larger inboard boat, a full 9-12 foot wide by 3 ft swim step with a transom door makes for a very useful platform aft of the cockpit.

Joe. Teeth

Dora~Jean · Posted: Mon Mar 17, 2008 9:09 pm Post subject:

You should be able to glue some wood blocks (w/4200 or 5200) on the side walls of the cockpit, then screw in some rubber holders to mount the portable ladder. One of my next projects...

marvin4239 · Posted: Mon Mar 17, 2008 9:37 pm Post subject:

I've got a swim platform plus the factory cooler rack. It's quite a trick getting over the cooler to the swim platform. A while back someone posted a ladder he had made that used a 1" stainless eye bolt and aluminum angle iron. The aluminum angle iron was padded and attached to the top of the ladder and went on the gunnel and the eye bolt was cut and slipped over the bow rail upright. It's great for use when beaching the boat. I fabricated one and it works great. On a 25 it could be used on the rear cockpit rails if you wished. You don't have to add any hardware to your boat. I tried to find the post but didn't have any luck. Maybe someone else remebers it. I don't have a picture of my set up but will try to get one and post it. Boaters World and West Marine both sell telescoping ladders that the set up can be fashioned from. In my case I already had a ladder that folds. The setup stores easily in the cockpit.