Extra large swim step question

[SEVEN]

My wife would like me to install an extra long swim step for our 53 motor yacht. We’re looking at something between four and 5 feet in depth. Has anyone out there added one? if so, could you send me some details and photos. Thanks in advance.

 

[madhatter1]

Step or a whole platform? If a whole platform think teak for many relief vents so it doesn't vibrate the whole boat in a sea. I guess it could be done in glass but would be a job.

 

[SEVEN]

The whole platform is what I’m looking for, I have re-design the ladder so it kicks out about an extra 12 inches and I put bigger steps. However, it’s right at the edge of the current swim step. I don’t mind if it’s fiberglass as long as it has numerous vent holes so water can make its way through. I currently have teak and it’s not that big of a maintenance issue so I’m good either way. I was just looking for somebody who had already done it and where they were able to have it made.

 

[madhatter1]

Okay, then please understand they the relief vents that you see in any platform are key to it not being an issue. Building from scratch you got this. Too little relief vents and waves will hit it and echo through the boat. Get it right and good to go!

 

[whoover]

Could you have your original platform added on to since it's already teak.

Walt Hoover

 

[Bob Quinn]

I was looking at the company www.plasteak.com

They make them out of that new plastic wood stuff. Straight per sq. inch price for approximating.

I asked about one like 5 ft deep but they said it was too big. So check with them on size if you are interested.

 

[edward]

Add an extension that folds out .

 

[robertm]

Recommend that you consider Beachcomber in Stuart, FL

 

[Pascal]

It s on my project list but way down . The difficulty isn’t the platform itself but having to replace the brackets with longer ones. I can’t imagine how hard it would be to get to the bolts inside the transom, under the water tank.

For the platform itself, I would use either Coosa or Divinycell. Coosa is heavier but would require fewer layers of glass…

One day…

 

[Scarlett]

Rusty, call me, we did a 4 foot fiberglass one made by a company in Arizona. Pascal is correct on the struts. We were able to thru bolt the outside ones but had to lag bolt the center ones. Yes there are cut outs for water to go thru underway. Have had it for about 4 years now and we love it. Now that we have moved the water tank I am going to thru bolt all the struts on the next haul out just to be extra sure, but we have had 5 to 6 people on ours with no problems.

 

[Scarlett]

Forgot to include a photo

 

[madhatter1]

I am in St Pete/Tampa area. No one anywhere that I can find is capable of fabricating a new teak platform. I had one made in 95 for the 34. That woodshop is long gone. Think glass might be the only option these days.

 

[metama]

On the list. I would also like to raise it up a touch. Right now I have an extension (in the center) that go's out 2 ft. It was used for a tilt H20 tender. Don't like the 90 degree corners.

In big majors I had a mega yacht crew uses my lights as a waypoint with there 40' tender in a storm. 4 trips shuttling guest at night 3-5 meters off my stern pushed my tender up crashing on the platform. (Strange waves and wind, had to keep the tender 10' behind the boat and it would stay 30' back like we did in most storms). They laughed at my radio instructions to give me space on the 2nd pass, and on pass 3 broke the top bolt off the transom. Yes Pascal I do know who those South African's are. Almost sent them a bill.

Would love to beef up the supports.

A few questions for those dreamers. Anyone build the 3/4 rails - fenders into a Hatteras swim platform? Would love to put them at the same height as the bump a long home (North Carolina definition) rail. 3/4 fender support looks beefy inside the hull. Im talking about the "spray rails" that are not really spray rails). I have seen inside a cut hull and the triangle internal support seem like it could offer solid support.

Playing with the idea of replacing my rotten 3/4 fenders with 13' 3/4 fenders built into a small elevated platform (also a intergraded step up to the ladder). Then making a hydraulic swim platform.

Figure 18"-2' for the fixed transom platform with rails, additional 3 ft for a hydraulic platform.
May be able to hide the pistons inside the fixed platform. The fixed platform could be a submerged transom extension in the center hiding pistons, underwater lighting ports feed above waterline wiring, and if your crazy extended trim tabs.

Be a pain to measure but possibly aluminum.

 

[BJones]

It s on my project list but way down . The difficulty isn’t the platform itself but having to replace the brackets with longer ones. I can’t imagine how hard it would be to get to the bolts inside the transom, under the water tank.

For the platform itself, I would use either Coosa or Divinycell. Coosa is heavier but would require fewer layers of glass…

One day…

I have a 65 ft motor yatch that we installed the Beachcomer platform(mine is their standard that is about 15 or so ft by 46 inches but they can make whatever width you want), a custom stainless staircase and staples/rails from Tanner Manufacturing. The Hatteras folks told the install guys that the platform supports were attached to metal plates that were glassed into the transom and so they were. The new supports that came with the platform were installed into the same plates with new bolts screwed into new holes that were tapped in and threaded. Talk to the guys at Sam's and they should be able to get you intouch with the same guy we spoke with (retired from Hatteras) to get the info on your boat. Love my platform, stairs and staples. Also, if i did it again i would raise the platform up at least a couple of inches as the prop wash comes over the platform at about 10 knots or so. Beachcomer is a great group to deal with and I can't say enough good things about Tanner Manufacturing who did the rails/staples. For about half of the estimates i got in the Palm Beach/Lauderdale area...

 

[Timeless72]

We went 4' on a teak swimstep. Pascal nailed it. Lots of reinforcement and creative work but worth the trouble. Most of our time is spent out back in the summers.

 

[cww]

Butler Marine makes a ridiculously high-quality product. They fabricate teak platforms and will make you whatever you want. I bought a swim platform for my 47 Commander and I thought they were very affordable, especially for the quality.

 

[Dreamboat]

My wife would like me to install an extra long swim step for our 53 motor yacht. We’re looking at something between four and 5 feet in depth. Has anyone out there added one? if so, could you send me some details and photos. Thanks in advance.

Rusty
Here is a link to what I did with mine.

https://www.samsmarine.com/forums/showthread.php?29538-Swim-Platform-Before-and-After