Swim Platforn Renewal

[papafu]

We purchased a 1981, 36 Classic this summer and have been busy redoing most of the teak inside and out. Today I got back the swim platform that was an original on the vessel. It had been damaged a number of times and it needed serious work...or it needed replacement. I had an outfit called Butler Marine in Duryea, PA (they have an online presence) do the renewal and it came out great. I should be able to get another season or two out of it. They also made a swim platform pattern that will be used for my Albin and other 36's as its needed. My next move is to have them make a new teak platform for the boat. I would highly recommend them for bow pulpits, platforms and swim ladders.

[jleonard]

I hope the new one will be longer (from transom back) that the original. Ours and every other older trawler platform I've seen is too narrow to stand on comfortably.
I extended mine by 7 inches and it seems just about right now.

[RobS]

...I extended mine by 7 inches and it seems just about right now.

I bet it does !

[mike66]

Can you give a description of what was involved? I agree that the platform design was too skimpy for easy use. (LOL Rob)

[jleonard]

If you are asking me, I bought a platform from a Mainship and took all the slats apart. Then I added them one by one until i got the 7 inches i wanted.
It was not a ba d project,just took time and several large clamps and liquid nails.

[mike66]

Does extending the platform involve the metal brackets or are they sufficient as is? How are the new pieces supported underneath?
Thanks

[jleonard]

I bought some stainless "angle iron" from McMaster. I think it was 1 1/2 x 1 1/2 x 3/16 cut them the length of the new platform and bolted them to the existing brackets. The bolts got thru the platform, the angle iron and the original brackets.
Unfortunately I do not have a pic that shows this.

[jcollins]

...I extended mine by 7 inches and it seems just about right now.

I bet it does !

[mike66]

Thanks, that's a clever and easy way to do it.....no welding or fabrication. Looks like it's on the list for this spring, along with deck caulking, seacock replacement, rudder packing, full hose replacement for engine............... Wonder why the transom wasn't designed vertically? Oh, one more question, did you use carriage-type bolts or recess machine screws/hex heads with teak plugs over them?

[jleonard]

...I extended mine by 7 inches and it seems just about right now.

I bet it does !

Ummm...... My 2013 resolution is to keep my mind out of the gutter....

Now how about that ocean front property in Arizona?

[jleonard]

Thanks, that's a clever and easy way to do it.....no welding or fabrication. Looks like it's on the list for this spring, along with deck caulking, seacock replacement, rudder packing, full hose replacement for engine............... Wonder why the transom wasn't designed vertically? Oh, one more question, did you use carriage-type bolts or recess machine screws/hex heads with teak plugs over them?

I used regular hex head bolts with a washer under the head.
Mike you are welcome to take a drive to Portland, Ct in the spring to take a look.

[mike66]

Thanks. Hope to meet up somewhere, sometime. We don't go north until mid-May this year and then a mad dash to get in the water. I may get a pre-made extension and add it on to the back of my platform with your angle iron method. I think I'll coutersink the bolt heads and plug them, and re-mount the swimm ladder further aft onto the new piece. Hopefully it will all come together in a day so I can get back to re-caulking and sealing the deck!