Extended Swim Platform for a 53

[Plan B2]

When anchored away from the home port I have a 70 Lb dog that needs to have access to the swim polatform from the aft deck. He is agile, but cannot navigate a ladder.... yet.
I am looking at the 53 Classic as my next boat and I have seen the aft access gate relocated from the center position to the Starboard corner and that got me curious about stairs.

Has anyone added an extended swim plaform so they could replace the aft ladder for a stair to the aft deck. I've seem some nice after market spiral stairs , but I'm not certain they would work without addtional depth of the platform. Any history with this modification would be appreciated.

 

[seaway]

I had mine extended by 12 inches and had a stairs fabricated from aluminum tubing last summer. It came out pretty nice and my 75 pound lab likes it also. I sent you a pm.

 

[SKYCHENEY]

I had mine extended by 12 inches and had a stairs fabricated from aluminum tubing last summer. It came out pretty nice and my 75 pound lab likes it also. I sent you a pm.

Pictures?

 

[RT46]

I had a lab that could climb the bridge ladder and dock/bulkhead ladder but he needed just a little push to get up the two step ladder that extends off the swim platform...

I think he would have drove if I let him.....

great dog....

 

[seaway]

Here's a couple of pix. I'll take more when I get back to the boat next week.

Wayne
1987 43my
in Orange Beach AL

 

[SeaEric]

Here is a setup I saw on a 54 Hatt MY. Looks like what you're looking for.

 

[Plan B2]

Thank you for all the comments. I thought my dog was about to learn how to navigate the ladder, but it just wasn't to be.
Thanks for the Pic of the 42 that's exactly what I had in mind. Seway, I'll respond to the PM soon.

 

[Plan B2]

Sorry for the typo. Sky thank you for the photo of the 54.

 

[Plan B2]

Here is a pic of my extended platform just before it was loaded on my trailer for delevery back to the yard yesterday. Wayne, thanks for the recommendation Jim and his crew at Viper Customs did an outstanding job.

 

[Pascal]

We rarely have the dogs on the boat but I have lifted them using a doggy life vest and the dinghy crane... They don't like it very much but with 120lbs American bulldogs, there was no other way

 

[seaway]

Looks good. Post some pix when you're done.

Wayne
1987 43my

 

[motoryacht lover]

I thought of this tread when I saw this today.

 

[Plan B2]

The platform is on and in a great position when running. Had to fabricate all new supports due to condition so we extended them a bit and raised the paltform one vertical hole location, about 4inches.
I met with the fabricator yesterday regarding the spiral stair. Looks like 5 steps with a 9-1/2" rise will work with the sixth step being onto the aft deck and 9-3/4". I'm borrowing the handrail design from Lorelie IV, but will be using stainles throughout.

 

[mdshore]

in regards to a 43dc , how much would you think is reasonable to extend without getting into possible damage from backing wave? Id like to make it a solid surface not sure the slats really help that much .

 

[Plan B2]

ANother member, Seaway, added 12 inches on his 43MY and seems to be happy. He gave me the source for getting mine extended and I am very happy with the outcome. I'm an inland river and waterway boater so I cannot comment on the following seas concern.

 

[bobk]

in regards to a 43dc , how much would you think is reasonable to extend without getting into possible damage from backing wave? Id like to make it a solid surface not sure the slats really help that much .

There is another issue to consider..... waves when tied to a marina. My paltform is extended and has only one slot which is near the transom. We limped into Dowery Creek once on one engine and tied bow in inside of the fuel dock, with the stern exposed to south wind. It came up pretty good during the evening and night and we had waves smashing under the platform all night with lots of unsettling noise, and when we next hauled, found two broken brackets. They were OK at the previous haulout.

Bobk

 

[mdshore]

ripped out a swim platform last night out of two sheets of MDO ,epoxy laminated addtl layer around perimeter and support bracket pads . going to try without vents first to see how it goes, i can always cut in If I feel its got pressure . extended about 6-8" as that is the max when you use 4x8 sheets. total invested 2 hrs so far and 150.00
goose approved btw.

 

[Avenger]

Looks pretty good. A little paint and it will look factory.

Cute picture. Are those geese pets, or neigborhood livestock?

 

[mdshore]

Looks pretty good. A little paint and it will look factory.

Cute picture. Are those geese pets, or neigborhood livestock?

adopted and live on my pond . they knock on my door every morning looking for handouts . PITA !

 

[mdshore]

all done. feels great having that extra 8 inches ( thats what she said .ha)