Building a swim platform

[CascoBay]

Re: Building a swim platform

Thanks. Can I do this in steps or do I need to do it all at once? (Wet on wet for the best bond?)

 

[Yacht Dr.]

Re: Building a swim platform

Actually a VERY good question..

You can do the Mold portion rather quickly..but in one step..

Once you kick your gel your going to need to do a skin coat of mat ( sorry I didnt mention it before.. ). When the gel starts to cure..skin coat with a layer of mat. You should let that skin coat basically cure off. More than 12 hours or so you should scuff before glassing more.

If you glass too much before your skin cures you might encounter "pre-release" and screw up your part. ( heat and shrink happens too much in the waxy mold and will pull the part by itself ).

after your skin goes on you can do whatever whenever..just meet the windows of the hotcoating ( before resin fully cures ) or you have to scuff before you add glass.

Personally you/I can do ALL the gel and glassing in one day if you have optimum conditions and good quality resins.

Make the mold..next morning touch up your clay with your "waxy finger" and start kickin resins .

Its the same schedule and times you have with any stringer/trans or major glass repair basically. you would want to do it all at one time with cures.

keep posting.

YD.

 

[CascoBay]

Re: Building a swim platform

To ensure compatibility with the gelcote I need to use polyester resin, right?

 

[CascoBay]

Re: Building a swim platform

lime4x4- I forgot to say it earlier, thanks for posting those photos. Did you weld the stainless yourself or have it done somewhere? If you paid to have it done, how much were they?

Thanks

 

[Yacht Dr.]

Re: Building a swim platform

To ensure compatibility with the gelcote I need to use polyester resin, right?

Yuppers .

YD.

 

[lime4x4]

Re: Building a swim platform

I have a buddy who owns a metal machine shop. So it didn't cost me anything for the cutting or welding. I think the good grade ss was around 130 bucks

 

[CascoBay]

Re: Building a swim platform

I calculated 13 yards of mat, 3 yards of roven, 3 gallons of resin, and 2 quarts of gel coat- should about right?

Plus a 4x8 sheet of plywood.

Total cost around $300 without hardware and anti-skid application. A bit more than I had hoped, I am going to do a cost comparison between this and a solid wood core, but would really like to use this method.

 

[Yacht Dr.]

Re: Building a swim platform

I dont think your accounting for waste...

your glass is the glass.. hardly any waste should be a part to part calculation..

Your resin however .. you have to account for waste.. about 25% unless your skilled .. or very patient .

I think your gel is undervalued.. 1 gal should be at hand.

Your thinking of a custom glass platform being 300 bucks is low at best..

buckets, brushes, gloves..sandpaper.. etc.. IT will Add up Quickly...

There is no way I can build this with my resources for 300 in material cost at Bulk Prices ..

Not from a mold to part aspect...

I hopes this helps ..

YD.

 

[CascoBay]

Re: Building a swim platform

Thank you for your input, I already have a lot of consumables on hand (sand paper, brushes, gloves, ect ect) so i didn't account for that in cost.

All of my pricing came from hamilton marine but with the upcharge to 1 gal of gel and then another gal of resin I am approaching $410 I am not accounting for any mold material required either. This is getting expensive.

 

[CascoBay]

Re: Building a swim platform

Okay slight change of plans again- I plan to install a 3/4" ply on top of the below bracket.

My question is, do I need to remove the copper based bottom paint that the bracket is sitting against or can I just bolt it on and be done with it?

The material is stainless and I only have it temporarily bolted to take measurements.


The bracket weighs 60 lbs. I plan on cutting the vertical lip off the rear edge so it matches the rest.

Also not sure if I should polish this or paint it?

I realize this may look a little rough but this is the first stage of this project.

 

[Yacht Dr.]

Re: Building a swim platform

I calculated 13 yards of mat, 3 yards of roven, 3 gallons of resin, and 2 quarts of gel coat- should about right?

Plus a 4x8 sheet of plywood.

Total cost around $300 without hardware and anti-skid application. A bit more than I had hoped, I am going to do a cost comparison between this and a solid wood core, but would really like to use this method.

Nobody want to chime ? LOL.. I will...

Welded SS custom Swim platform ?? wholy moley man !! I though 300 was tappin ya .. lol..

Your removeing of the bottom paint would be the least of worries here..

Can I get a number of your guy that has scrap SS plate and weld this materials and all for under 5 ?.

I would not do a hard mount with your trans m8.. not with this..

Mount it away from your trans..IMHO...

YD.

 

[CascoBay]

Re: Building a swim platform

My father owned a seafood business and all of his processing tables and so forth are in storage. This was a sorting table that I cut the legs off and turned upside down. No money invested in anything yet!

I really was intent on bolting it like this- if I step it away from the transom it will be a lot more difficult to mount. If water pressure is the concern I can cut larger slots in the platform.

Thanks for the input I really appreciate the advice.

 

[Yacht Dr.]

Re: Building a swim platform

My father owned a seafood business and all of his processing tables and so forth are in storage. This was a sorting table that I cut the legs off and turned upside down. No money invested in anything yet!

I really was intent on bolting it like this- if I step it away from the transom it will be a lot more difficult to mount. If water pressure is the concern I can cut larger slots in the platform.

Thanks for the input I really appreciate the advice.

Well you never said that LOL.. Im thinking..just..erm.. Never mind..

Anyways.. I would suggest at least Drilling ( Possibly 3 ) holes on each side of the platform. Larger at the trans getting smaller and smaller aft ? Then some holes near the trans for gassing.

It just doesnt " Look " right from your pics not having enough escape.

Take a Big one in the back and that thing ( as it stands now ) could rip right off.

As for Hard mount on the trans..its your call. One thing I would suggest is when Through bolting and bedding.. DONT TURN the BOLT.. ONLY the NUT. So weather you bolt from inside out or outside in make sure you can get to the Nuts and washers !

I would remove the Bottom paint as well since you asked.. get it off and prep the gel good before bedding..

All I can think of right now m8... Good luck

YD.

 

[CascoBay]

Re: Building a swim platform

Thanks- I do plan on cutting slots in the platform, (see dwg) but if you think I need more- then I will plan for more.

I don't get your comment about just turning the nut? Why does that matter?

Also- those 2 holes that are in the platform now- those were there (sink drains).

I have two 1/2" bolts holding it on now and his thing is solid! I could probably get away without any supports but I will add 2.

 

[Yacht Dr.]

Re: Building a swim platform

I don't get your comment about just turning the nut? Why does that matter?

Any Through bolt application should ( If possible ) be NUT only turns..

You will corksrew your bedding out if you turn the bolt..

YD.

PS. You can turn the bolt about 1 turn depending ..then only the nuts after that.. ( I dont turn my bolts but counterclockwise pushing them in 1/2 - 1 turn for install ) . then nuts tighten...

 

[CascoBay]

Re: Building a swim platform

Got it- thanks!

 

[CascoBay]

Re: Building a swim platform

The slots are 2" x 10,12,14 and 16" wide.

What do you think? Should this provide sufficent pressure venting? It sure looks like it would.

I found a product called Kleer, it is a PVC product that comes in many different sizes, I am going to buy a 4'x8' x 3/4" thick sheet to go over the top.

I am also going to cover the sides of the bracket, no stainless should be visable except from underneath- it should look like a factory platform!

 

[CascoBay]

Re: Building a swim platform

I installed the support struts and took the time to remove the Raymarine transducer and speed pickup tube. These have always bothered me and I wanted them gone. The transducer only worked at rest because of the step in the forward hull. I am going to use a shoot through transducer, but thats another topic.

 

[CascoBay]

Re: Building a swim platform

I just took the supports off and glassed in 2 1/4" bolts. Photos to come (if anyone cares!)

 

[Yacht Dr.]

Re: Building a swim platform

You can Try using Lag Studs...but how far off are your mount holes to where you can reach them from the inside ? If its just a few Inches then you might want to relocate your mounts and through bolt them.

Also you should sand all that putty off to just the holes..that extra putty wont do you anything.

You used 5200 for your struts ? looking kinda leaky

YD.