Who said, "You Can't Have A Swim Step With Twin Engines

DaveS

Yesterday, I picked up Sea Shift from Les and EQ Marine after he installed the new swim step next to my twin Johnson engines. Les specially fabricated the swim step for me. Several photos of the swim step may be viewed in the Sea Shift photo album. CoolSmile

C-Hawk · Posted: Thu Jul 01, 2004 4:17 pm Post subject:

Dave-
Looks like the engines miss the step by 1"? Are the engines hard over? Have you tried using the step with a wetsuit on? HHmmm...

DaveS · Posted: Thu Jul 01, 2004 4:28 pm Post subject:

Hi Roger,
The engines will turn "lock to lock" without touching the swim step. However, I do have to turn the engines a bit in order to swing the ladder from "stowing to down" position and back. The swim step is extremely stable and secure. Les "jumped up and down on it after he installed it".

DaveS · Posted: Thu Jul 01, 2004 4:32 pm Post subject:

C-Hawk · Posted: Thu Jul 01, 2004 11:51 pm Post subject:

Ya, Dave-
I like the looks of it. Just wondering how easy it would be to get back on with a wetsuit. I back flip into the water, and take my tank and BC off in the water before getting back in the boat. How about the trim tabs, does it get in the way of the step? I think you may have started something here!

DaveS · Posted: Fri Jul 02, 2004 12:07 am Post subject:

Roger,
I don't believe the trim tab will be a problem. The swim step on the 16' was a bit wider and had two steps with the ladder (where this one has one step). My initial thoughts are that I may end up stepping on part of the motor, then on to the ladder and then on to the step. Tomorrow when I'm on the lake, I'll jump in the water and try it out and let you know what I think. (Of course I won't have a wet suit on, but for you're sake I'll pretend that I'm wearing one Laughing

).
When Les was outfitting Sea Shift we were initially going to go with a dive ladder like "Sea 3 P O", but the more Les looked at Sea Shift after the trim tabs and motors were mounted he said, "You know, I think I can build a swim step that will work". So he did.

DaveS · Posted: Sat Jul 03, 2004 2:49 am Post subject:

Roger, just as I promised yesterday, I tried out the swim step today and it worked just fine. I even imagined that I had a wetsuit on and the swim step still worked just fine. At one point I put one foot on the motor, but that actually made it difficult, so the swim ladder/swim step combo alone did the job. CoolSmile

MOOSE · Posted: Sat Jul 03, 2004 4:32 pm Post subject:

For what it's worth, I copied what Yellowstone John did on Farwest II, and that is to install a removable 3-step dive ladder. The mounting block goes smack in the middle of the accent stripe just aft of where the back of the cabin meets the gunwale; and the block is not as ugly as one might think. The beauty of this is that, when climbing back aboard, one can use the hand hold on the back of the cabin. Also, one is not dodging all that stuff in the motor well. Speaking of which, the ladder, when removed, stores beautifully in the motor well. I put a SS backer plate on the mounting block and the whole deal is very solid with, as John said, no oil-canning whatsoever.
Al

C-Hawk · Posted: Tue Jul 06, 2004 12:18 am Post subject:

Moose-
I have a 4 step dive post (not mounted as yet) and have used Joel's dive post on SEA3PO. I agree with Joel , and you, that climbing around in the engine well is not that easy. Do you have a pic of your dive post mounted. I am thinking about having my welder fab a removable mount for the post. One that would hang over the gunnel and could be removed when not in use.

Dave -
Thanks. I am still weighing my options for getting in the boat after a dive. Your set up looks great.

MOOSE · Posted: Tue Jul 06, 2004 8:34 am Post subject:

Hi Roger,
No, I don't have a picture of the dive ladder mounted, but I just posted a new photo of the MOOSE in which you can see the mounting block and its location. The worst part of this is having to drill through that nice green gelcoat, but other than that it's a great installation. The backer plate is right in the middle of the combing storage on the other side of the hull, so putting it all together is straightforward. One tip if you decide to go this way, however, and that is to make sure you have enough clearance between the top of the mounting block and the rub rail to slide the step in and down. I had to make some hasty modifications after drilling my holes, but it all worked out in the end.
Al