Swim Platform '86 - 2001......how big is too big?

[GravityBad]

I'm looking at fabricating a swim platform on my '86 - 2001. Taking the same basic design and extending it a little further from the transom. I never liked what seemed, at least for me, the narrow platform. Currently the platform measures 15" from the transom center line to the end of the platform. I was thinking of extending this measurement to 22-24", effectively adding 7-9 inches. I don't see any issues with this but seem to recall someone mentioning they had to raise the platform as theirs changed the wake. I assume they were saying it was touching the water???

One design option would be to duplicate the open slat design but enclosing the addition as a solid platform

I just don't want to dump a pile of cash on exotic woods only to look back and realize what a mistake that was.

Joe

*****EDIT***** I just found out that I may have an original swim platform that was butchered to reduce the length..maybe to fit in a garage, etc.

[GravityBad]

Thought I would share my replacement swim platform project that I just completed. I sourced 20 board feet of Jatoba and decided to duplicate the original platform to the proper size. Here are a few pics before an oil finish...











and a few pictures with teak oil and ready to be attached to the boat:

[Full-Force]

You sir are talented! Looks amazing

[NautiqueJeff]

Wow! Looks great to me!

[GravityBad]

Thanks for the compliment. I tried something different in the construction of this platform. One of the problems i had with the original teak platform, other than it was so narrow, was the 6" spacers are only held in place by 1 screw each allowing for them to work loose over time. I had to replace 1 lost spacer and have had a few others come loose. This seems to effect the pieces towards the end of the platform, furthest from the transom more so than any others.

I used Jatoba which is an extremely dense wood that is prone to splitting if not predrilled 'properly'. I decided on a design that would basically not require any screws into the smaller 6" spacer pieces. I cut and used fiberglass dowel rods to secure the spacer pieces leaving the majority of screws used to only mount the platform to the boat. Over-engineered? probably so but the platform is strong! I could hold the whole platform horizontally from one end without the 4 runners that attach to the boat and it was as stiff as a single board which i think says a good deal as the new platform weighs in at just over 2x the weight of the teak platform. As you can see in the pictures, there was quite a few holes to line up for every long platform row length...8 dowels / row to be exact but it all worked out. I suspect this platform should out last the original teak which is still in decent shape even after 30 yrs.

[Evening Shade]

That looks great! Your mill work is amazing!

[t.franscioni]

Where did you source the Jatoba? I just took delivery of a custom jatoba swim deck made for my 02 SAN but I want to add a couple peices underneath. Was wondering if you know of any online sources for jatoba you could share? Thanks.

[a0128]

That is a thing of beauty! Well Done!

[GravityBad]

Where did you source the Jatoba? I just took delivery of a custom jatoba swim deck made for my 02 SAN but I want to add a couple pieces underneath. Was wondering if you know of any online sources for jatoba you could share? Thanks.

The few online sources and local exotic hardwood mills i checked had minimum buys, starting at 100 board feet. If you are only looking for a few board feet, I would try a goggle search for WOODCRAFT woodworking stores in your local area. My local Woodcraft had a selection that would probably be perfect for your project. If you haven't worked with Jatoba before, make sure you have good blades for cutting, preferably carbide, as this wood is super dense and is hard on tooling. Given Jatoba is so dense and hard, make sure you pre-drill any screw holes as it is prone to splitting, especially smaller pieces.

[t.franscioni]

Will do thanks for advice!

[GravityBad]

Will do thanks for advice!

t.franscioni - sent PM