Swim Platforms

[dt5150]

looking to add a swim platform this year. seems like everybody and their brother makes one.. are there any brands to recommend or stay away from? i was looking at the garelick ez-in. and what about the number of steps? is 2 enough or should i go with 3? i appreciate any input. thanks guys.

[guffins fisherman]

How many steps depends on the age, strength and flexibility of the person hoisting themselves out of the water.

[dt5150]

heh.. yeah i suppose so. let's just say the age range varies a bit.. between 6 and 50

[guffins fisherman]

Three step, more if you can find it.

[dt5150]

thanks

[Richard]

Defiantly more steps the better. I tried to get on my platform that only has one step. At 6'2" and 265 pounds I almost could not get up on to the platform. I will have three steps before I enter the water again.

[dt5150]

thanks richard. i'm 6' 240 and not the most limber fellow.. so i hear what you're saying. i may go with the garelick (for an i/o) with the 3 steps that stow under the platform.

[dt5150]

well, maybe not. it looks like that garelick model only has 2 steps, not 3. if i want to go to a 3 stepper, i'd have to get the model that stows the ladder on top of the platform instead of underneath it. the only negative i can see about having the ladder stow on top would be the brackets. any opinions on bottom vs top ladder stowage?

[Richard]

Here is a Garelick with three steps.

https://www.amazon.com/Garelick-Eez-19643-Platform-Sliding/dp/B00KCFT9DM/ref=sr_1_7?keywords=Swim+Platform+Ladder&qid=1555115479&s=gateway&sr=8-7

[dt5150]

thanks. i've priced that out, that ladder and a platform to go with it, too expensive.

[dt5150]

ended up ordering this 4 stepper from discount ramps.

 

https://www.discountramps.com/sp-4s/p/SP-4S/

 

[Richard]

that looks good. May have to save that for when I am ready. Thanks.

[Jack]

You probably know , but be sure to use a good sealant when you mount it so the transom won’t rot. 

[dt5150]

oh yeah, i'll goop it up good.

[dt5150]

all done.

[Richard]

Very nice.

 

[dt5150]

ended up having to modify it a bit for it to work properly. had drill another set of mounting holes in the platform to space it out away from the transom enough for the ladder to rotate without touching the boat. not a huge deal, but something that should've been discovered during r&d in my opinion.