Custom Fiberglass Extended Swim Platform

[tpenfield]

It looks like our next boat is still a few years away, so I am thinking about doing some enhancements to the current barge, a Formula 330 Sun Sport. I always wanted an extended swim platform to get the people out beyond the outdrives, as they present a mild hazard when doing the sandbar thing.

Formula has some nice extended swim platforms as an option on their new boats, like the one pictured below. Knowing Formula's prices, I'm sure something like this through them would be more than most boats cost.

So, I'm thinking of a DIY approach . . .



I would like to make something myself similar to it, using the 'plug & mold' technique so I can make a true fiberglass (no wood) platform that looks factory.

I have a design sketched out that is similar to the Formula option, as shown below:



My plan is to move the existing boarding ladder to the extended platform and install a second grab rail on the riser up to the built-in platform. This should get the ladder about 1 to 1.5 feet beyond the outdrives in their tilted up fashion.

I would make the 'plug' out of EPS foam, then epoxy coat it and finish it to a shine. Then make a mold from the plug using fiberglass and some stiffeners to hold the mold true (probably those stiffeners can be plywood). Then I would prep the mold for fiberglass and do vacuum bagged mold to get a high strength-to-weight ratio. I probably will form some stiffeners underneath with some urethane foam pieces and then have some stainless steel support rods running down to the transom, as most installations have.

I am thinking the whole thing could be done for about $1200 in materials. I'll probably take some measurements this weekend and maybe buy the EPS sheets.

At this stage I am looking for any input, comments, ideas, etc. :noidea:

I have seen the after market platforms that you can get for around $3K. Not that excited about those, as I like the lower level of the 'step-down' style of platform, since the regular platform of my boat is fairly high up from the waterline.

 

[kcassells]

Well that's a great heck of an endeavor!:joyous: Nice level of fabrication to be at.

 

[tpenfield]

BTW - this is what the current standard/built-in platform looks like now . . . Admiral's feet and all

 

[52FordF2]

I'm aboard for this

 

[briangcc]

Nice concept. If I might....one item that stuck out as a nice to have was the integrated swim step (ala Cobalt boats). Can check out their R3 series to see what I'm talking about.

Other item I might suggest would be a couple of access points for your outdrives. I'd rather pop a cover off to clear a rope/debris than to have to dive under the boat to do the same.

Just my preferences/opinions....feel free to tell me to shove off.

 

[tpenfield]

Nice concept. If I might....one item that stuck out as a nice to have was the integrated swim step (ala Cobalt boats). Can check out their R3 series to see what I'm talking about.

Other item I might suggest would be a couple of access points for your outdrives. I'd rather pop a cover off to clear a rope/debris than to have to dive under the boat to do the same.

Just my preferences/opinions....feel free to tell me to shove off.

As for the swim step idea, I'm trying to keep metal fabrication to a minimum, so that is why I'm staying with the current fold-up ladder.

Now that you mention access holes over the outdrives, I never noticed that was what they would be useful for on aftermarket platforms that I have seen.

 

[Silverbullet555]

You might check with swim platforms.com to see if they can do the step down. I used them for our cobalt. The existing platform was high up. The new one mounts to the transom and sits just off the water.

You don't have much transom there to mount to maybe they can do something that mounts to the underside of the existing swim platform instead of the top.

 

[zool]

Hey Ted, Interesting project you've came up with......Im wondering if just an 18" modified half moon extended flush with the existing platform would be sufficient, look smooth, and be doable? The outer braces and foam filled under braces could remain the same....

 

[tpenfield]

Thanks for the ideas guys. I have thought about the aftermarket platforms, like swim platform . com . Money would be a bit more than a full fabrication, but not significantly so. For me it is as much about building it as it is about having it.

I think the aftermarket swim platforms of similar nature would be about $1500 and then DIY install. The Formula option on their current boats are about $7K. I assume it would be more as an aftermarket sale.

The weather is supposed to be rain much of the weekend on Cape Cod, so maybe I'll get out to the boat, take some measurements, and get going on the 'plug/mock-up'.

I did see somewhere on the Internet, a forum thread about someone who built a fiberglass swim platform mold using melamine sheets, but now I cannot see to find it again. Of course, to build a mold from scratch, without a mock-up is a bit mind boggling, unless using the most simple design. . . probably would make my head hurt thinking about it.

I do better shaping 'outside curves' than the 'inside curves' that a mold would have.

 

[sphelps]

Are you planning on making it removable ? Or maybe glass it in and make it a more permanent structure ..Let the top shelf slide over existing and laminate/tab in and patch the gell coat afterwards ...
Just throwing stuff out there .. Seems doable though ....

 

[Woodonglass]

Maybe this will help...http://www.boatered.com/forum/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=144725

 

[tpenfield]

Maybe this will help...http://www.boatered.com/forum/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=144725

Thanks WoG That was the link I had been looking for and could not seem to find.

I went out to the boat (on its mooring) and made a bunch of measurements. I figured the platform was going to be about 8 feet wide. Measured out at about 95" to fit on top of the existing platform.

Here are the dimensions.


Looks like I'll need 3-4 2' x 8' EPS sheets to make the plug.

sphelps this platform will be detachable. . . don't want to get too crazy with glassing into existing hull, etc.

 

[tpenfield]

I have been doing some searching for non-skid patterns for mold makers. I came across a company . . . Gibco (gibcoflexmold.com) that seems to have the patterns that many boat companies use for their non-skid.

They happen to list this pattern for Formula and Fountain boats. It comes in both 'negative' and 'positive' patterns.



So, I think I'll try to get some for the non-skid areas of the platform. Not sure how much $$$ this material will be, hopefully not too much. My other option (idea) was to use EVA Faux Teak as a non-skid surface.

I'm not sure how many companies make/sell this type of material, anyone know of others?

 

[Woodonglass]

ONDARVR, told me about GIBCO a few years back. They're pricey but...you really only need one sq. ft. piece and then use it over again. Thickened GelCoat and a bit of cooking oil to coat the mould and you're good to go.

 

[tpenfield]

I think I’ll need 4 sheets of 30” x 48”, as I’m doing a positive mold. Not sure how pricey that will be? I have $100 budgeted for non-skid material.

ondarvr Maybe I’ll reach out to see if you have any advice on the non-skid for the ‘plug’

 

[Scott Danforth]

another option for non-skid are the fluorescent light diffusers.$10 a sheet 24 x 48 sheet at lowes

https://www.eplastics.com/Plastic/l...2BYa_hgOkSOyNSAEj6zzuXhRjIYSnywBoCw48QAvD_BwE

https://www.homedepot.com/p/Metalux...CUbAQAvD_BwE&dclid=CM_joYHs6dwCFQkcaQodfdgB6A

 

[tpenfield]

Thanks for the idea, Scott. I’ll have to see what the Gibco pricing looks like.

 

[tpenfield]

Looks like the Flex mold (Gibco) stuff is about $55 per 1 square foot at retail pricing. I did put in an inquiry into Gibco to see what a couple of large sheets would cost, but I don't have high expectations that the price will be reasonable. If I used a single square foot of this material, essentially I would have to make the entire pattern, 1 sq. ft. at a time using a negative mold in a step and repeat fashion. . . . probably not worth it.

The guy on the BoaterEd site indicated that he used the lens material for ceiling lights, as Scott had suggested. I am also searching for some textured rubber material that would also be suitable.

We'll have to see how this plays out . . . not a constraint at this point though.

 

[tpenfield]

Just got word from Gibco about using 'full sheets' which I would need 2 of them cover the non-skid areas.

$370/sheet or $740.00 total for this project. Not worth doing it for a single custom unit. I can see that the production mold makers don't mind the cost, as it is minimal vs. the production run.

Anyway, I'll go the plastic panel or rubber mat route and try to come close to the pattern.

 

[Scott Danforth]

Im lucky, the non-skid in my boat was done with thickend gel and a roller..... going to do the same.