Ski Platform protection

[ClemsonDave]

fwiw,

When I purchased my new SN, I came up with an idea to protect the boat from careless people putting getting in there ski on the back of the platform :bash: I got the idea from a MC.

One of my hobbies is woodworking, so I bought some raw teak and milled it up to fit my platform.

I have attached some pictures. Let me know if you want more information.

dave

[G-man]

I used MasterCrafts transom protector and reshaped it a little.

[actiondcpd]

George, Wow your platform looks great. Is that teak stained at all or is that just teak oil? I can never get mine that dark!

[lcap]

ClemsonDave

Nice job on the transom protector. Is that one piece? Did you bend it or use 51/2" wide stock?

[ClemsonDave]

It was one piece of teak, apx. 7" wide, 1 1/4" thick.

I traced my platform on some mdf,
Cut the mdf and sanded smooth,
Rough cut the teak within 1/8" of lines,
Double sided tape to hold pattern to teak,
Used a pattern makers bit in router table,
Plastic Resin glue,
Stainless screws from below, with teak plugs,
Don't forget to wipe down teak with something like mineral spirits before applying glue (gets rid of teak oil).

Sounds like a lot of work, but it did not take that long.

Dave

[lcap]

ClemsonDave

I ended up doing the same thing using an almost identical process. I tried at first to bend the teak in my steamer as an experiment. I learned teak does not bend, it breaks.

[G-man]

actiondcpd

I have spent the last 11 years in a MasterCraft. I have had the good fortune of learning from Herald Page how to take care of teak and make it look like livingroom furniture. Herald gets best of Show at anything he goes to. It is really simple but time consuming process. First start with clean teak, bleached or sanded. First sand with 150 grit, apply two coats Starbright in the white bottle teak oil, allow to dry in the sun completely before 2nd coat, Next repeat above steps with 200, 400, 800wet, 1000 wet and 2000 wet. After the 200 sanding pour small amount of oil in the palm of your hand and hand rub till your palm is dry. The oil in combination with the finer grits of paper smooth out the surface of the teak to the point of being slippery when wet. It holds up well as long as your riders don't gouge a ski or board into the wood. After 6 weeks - 30 hours I sanded the scratched areas and some oil and was good to go. This is a good winter project if you get some warm clear days in the winter.

[ClemsonDave]

George,

I assume you are posting because you saw my platform above. I prefer the look of 'whiteish' teak. I may lightly treat it every 18 mths or so.

Also, being a dedicated slalom course skier, I am worried about the teak oil getting on the bottom of my ski.

thanks
dave

[G-man]

Dave

To each his own. I can tell by your photo your a better skier than me. Oil on the platform may affect your skiing I'm not good enough for that to be my problem. I am just one of those people who keeps teak oiled. I just wanted to show another version on a transom protector.
George

[ClemsonDave]

George:

Yours looks great too!

I took the left over teak and made some furniture with it. After tung oil finish, it looks like your platform.

Oil on bottom of ski just scares me too much to oil my platform. I also do not ArmorAll my engine cover or back covers very often for the same reason. I lay the ski on the engine cover to adjust it. Do not want ArmorAll on bottom of ski.

dave

[skinautique]

Teak oil can be bad on skis. Also, no one should use armor all. It will eat at the stitching in the vinyl. The platforms sure do look nice when they are all oiled up though!

[ClemsonDave]

Actually, I used that as a general statement. I use either Meguires or 303. Wipe on, then wipe off. Anything better I should try?
dave

[skinautique]

those are the two that I use. I just want to make sure that people aren't using armor all because I didn't want to see them having their interiors ripped up.

[MacedayDave]

ClemsonDave,

Would you consider fabricating a protector for those of us with the desire to protect our boats but lack the proper woodworking tools?

I would like to purchase one from you if you are willing to make one for me. I would like to install this before I begin using my 2005 SN 196 that is currently on order.

Please contact me at cddelv@aol.com.

Thanks!
MacedayDave

[lcap]

MacedayDave

You can use the swim platform as a template. Remove the platform and set it on top of some 4/4 or 5/4 X 6" teak. Mark the curve, move the teak out the width you what the protector and mark again.

Cut with a jigsaw and sand. The most time consuming part is taking the platform apart so you can screw the protector from underneath.

I you need more info, PM me I think I have some left over teak from my project. I left the openings for the rigging eyes accessible.