Swim Platform - Pro & Con

[vldevin]

Been reading for a while done lots of search but now that we are getting to the detail in the selection of specific boat, can't find the answer. Took six months not bad LOL.

What we like to know is the pro and con of a integrated swim platform (ie: island packet type) on a boat for a long cruise.

In our eye

Pro
- easier access loading of jerrycan ect...
- MOB rescue

Con
- Wave taking over
-Easier access but to people you don't want in the first place.

So for the people who have been around let us know what you think.

Thanks

[straycurrent]

Hi there,we have often found side access via a sturdy ladder very good in a rough anchorage,when the stern is above the dinghy one second,and half under water the next.the platform would be realy good most of the time though.sometimes its not easy to bring a dinghy across the stern of a boat in a strong wind,as when you turn side on you can blow away from the boat. why not have both? bye .

[sailorboy1]

other than the normal things of ding use at the stern, the biggest thing about my swim platform that bugs me is that it is noisier in the aft berth somethings due to ther wave slap on the playform

[Talbot]

I dont like a swim platform for blue water use. A breaking wave landing on it is not going to do the boat much good!

Dont much like them at anchor either, as boat is likely to be pitching more than rolling (particularly a multi), and a midships ladder is much safer.

Lot of weight on the stern, so that adds to the pitching. It also leads to too much weight at the stern, with davits, radar, solar panels, wind generator and wind pilot etc etc all right on the stern. This all reduces reserve buoyancy at the stern, which means that the braking wave has an even better chance of creating havoc.

[Curmudgeon]

Don't some boats have swim platforms that fold up into the transom? That would solve many of the problems mentionned here.

[fred]

As with everything there as many pros, cons & opinions as boaters.....

For us, cruising for all the years we did, without the stern platform would not have happened.

My 2 kids, wife and I would have had a difficult time boarding our Cal 46.... freeboard was a killer especially if it was rough.

Supplies, kids stuff, laundry & gear up out of the dink and kids, trash & laundry down gets real old real quick.

Kids are gone now, however so is our strength and flexability.....

At our age, now, the ladder has become a real chore.

My next boat will have both a side wide step ladder and a stern platform.

I'm also researching a side stair case with a small platform at the bottom that will fold up along the lifelines....

That's the ticket for us to continue sailing into our umm.....grown up years.....

fred

[MarkJ]

Waves crashing onto it? LOL Obviously those people have never had one.

We would NEVER EVER buy a boat without a swim platform.

Its the most used bit of the boat except the head. We have never boarded a boat easily unless there is a swim platform, and we think that most losers who buy a cat really just wanted a swim platform.

And finally: Where do the Sea Lions sit?






Love them!!!!!!!!!


Mark

[Cheechako]

I think the platform is a great "new" device. Granted, there are times when the boat is pitching at anchor when you might want to use a side ladder, but most the time it is fine. In fact an open transom, setup right, wouldnt be bad actually.

[vldevin]

Thanks for all the response, is there any other negative of having one from the real cruiser out there.

[MarkJ]

Best use of swim platform:


This is when we were in the Galapagos last year. We just fell in love with having our own little babies on the back of the boat
Only the young ones could fit... don't want to have an adult there!

[Therapy]

Originally Posted by MarkJ

Best use of swim platform:


This is when we were in the Galapagos last year. We just fell in love with having our own little babies on the back of the boat
Only the young ones could fit... don't want to have an adult there!.........................................

.and we think that most losers who buy a cat really just wanted a swim platform.

Mark,

Do you really need fenders like that when you are anchored out?

AND,

Not so nice a comment - you jealous?

[Irwin325]

I'm thinking of building a teak hinged platform so it can be raised while underway and at dock. Has anyone done this.

[MarkJ]

Originally Posted by Therapy

Mark,

Do you really need fenders like that when you are anchored out?

Yeah. Water Taxi's are the go there and they don't have fenders. I think it was 50 cents to shore and they would be prowling around the anchorage when you didn't need them; never to be found when needed!

But, yes, I hate photos with the fenders down or sails not set right etc.


Mark

[osirissail]

I would vote with the having a swim platform group. I love mine but I have a square transom so it can be permanently mounted. Fold up ones are also good. But if you are going to make one make it or have it made - have it down with "Starboard/Kingboard" not wood/teak. There is no maintenance with plastic versus wood rot (yes, teak rots especially where bolts pass through). If it is permanently mounted or folding make sure that you use really strong mounting systems thoroughly through bolted with strong SS backing plates.
- - If the boat is pitching at anchor then a boarding ladder amidships works fine, but most likely you will have significantly wave running down the side of the boat whereas the swim platform will be in the "lee" of the boat and getting on and off is much easier than trying to 'time' a bouncing dinghy when boarding amidships.

[Chief Engineer]

OHHHHHH WAVES SLAPPING ON THE HULL....THAT KINDA STUFF PUTS ME TO SLEEP