Adding a Salvage Yard swim Platform?

[MWagner1]

Hey All; I have been doing some research, just looking for some opinions before I go shopping in Salvage yards!

I have a 1977 Chris Craft Lancer 19. While I LOVE the look of the boat, I do think I need a swim platform, and think the right one won't ruin the ascetic. In my mind, the "right one" is a full-width teak (wood at least) platform, mounted as low as the stern drive would allow.

I'll add, this is NOT an expensive boat, and this is NOT an extensive re-fit. just trying to get my old ChrisCraft more water-sport & more sand-bar friendly! I love the PlasTEAK platforms, but trying to save some money.

So, my primary questions are about the fit. If I find one in a salvage yard, what do I need to be looking for? The back of our boat in flat (or VERY nearly so) I think that would be a pretty hard "modification" to an existing platform. So long as it is about the same curve, then Width next? I assume they can be re-shaped a little (more of a trapezoid?, tapering toward the rear), but something within 4-6 inches of the ideal width should be workable, no? I've seen some that stick off the boat so little (only a foot & a half off the back of the boat) that the outdrive rises past the end of the platform, which allows it to be mounted lower on the boat. I'm not positive this would work on mine, but it is an interesting idea.

Thoughts? Advice? Any input is welcome. Will I spend as much buying, shaping, fitting, sanding, & finishing as I would just buying a new PlasTEAK platform? I know Fiberglass is an option.... But I just don't think it's the right option for the CC Lancer.

Thanks for the help!

 

[tpenfield]

:welcome: to iBoats . . .

The issue will be finding a salvage yard platform that is suitable. Not sure what the cost would be . . . don't assume it will be inexpensive though. If you found one that is wood, you could probably shape it to the curve of your transom.

You can always make one out of wood, not that hard to do. Wood actually looks fine on a boat of that vintage. If you Google - a few threads come up from the commander club web site of platforms on CC Lancers.

Your challenge may be in getting all of the stainless steel brackets and support struts needed. You will probably need 4 struts and 4 "L" brackets for attachment.

 

[southkogs]

The other thing to check / watch: my last boat had a salvage yard swim deck on it. And it was GREAT ... I actually like it more than the step platform on my current boat. BUT, you have a Stringer drive on there. The way that drive sits and tilts may challenge the position of the swim deck My boat had to have a split platform, and the center had to be opened up to keep the drive from hitting it at times:

 

[MWagner1]

Thanks for the responses. While I am pretty handy, our boat is a long way from my home & tools, so I am hoping to do minimal customization myself (or, pay someone to do them.)

I really like the setup you had there SouthKogs, you said that was salvage? Any idea what I would have to spend to have some local shop build & install something like that?) that would allow me to mount that thing LOW, right above the waterline. Unless I get lucky & find one like that, I think it's more likely I'll be mounting a solid one piece platform somewhat higher out of the water with an under mount ladder. If I find something suitable at salvage I'll be sure and take the mounting hardware it came with, and possibly even upgrade it.

 

[southkogs]

No clue on the cost. The dude I bought the boat from put it on. I refit it once which was pretty cheap (you can see HERE). It was teak, so it could have been more than I would have expected he paid. But I wouldn't have paid more than a hundred and a half if I had to go back and do it again. I could have built one pretty inexpensively.

There are a couple of other DIY topics like THIS one and THAT one.

 

[MWagner1]

That's a pretty cool thread about your overhaul. Glad it worked out so well. I will start searching salvage yards, and see what I can find.

 

[crazy charlie]

What state are you in?? Here in NY there are marine consignment shops that have a variety of teak platforms.Heck I have one that i need to sell but mine would be too big for your boat.If you are not too far I will get you a ph# for one that I am sure will be able to help you.Charlie