Building New Swim Platform

[suprasam]

So last week, I brought the boat out of my garage.....I was going to do some maintenance/cleaning on it so thought it would be better in the driveway vs in the garage. So I get all the work done to it that I wanted done and start to back her back in. I have wheel blocks to hit, so I know roughly when to stop. I have a riding mower that sits behind the swim deck, well long story short while the boat was out in the driveway my daughter was riding her new bike in the garage and at some point decided to move the blocks. Now she did what I always tell her to do, she did put them back after she got done using them. The ONLY problem is they were back about 10inches deeper than original. So in other words....I hit my swim deck up against the steering column on my rider mower. There wasn't a ton of damage cause I didn't go to far, because I was thinking in my head that this seems deeper than I usually go so I stopped on my own. It cracked one board on the deck, not bad...so I gorilla glued it back and all is semi-tight. I have been wanting to put a new deck on it honestly anyway. There was a post a couple of months ago and for the life of me I can't remember his name or find the freakin post on here where he built a new one. I have an idea of how I am going to build it, but also was thinking of some ideas. What do you guys think the best wood for your buck? I am on a budget, so be delicate. I am not going to use TEAK, way to expensive, I know cedar is a good outside wood, but I don't know about the strength of it. I get some 1X6 cedar for around $0.99 linear foot. That sounds pretty good to me. I am thinking about having the same width that is currently there, but instead of having it a retangle shape, I might arch the back out a little. Let me know your thoughts....

[wiatowski]

a friend of mine suggested using exterior MDF board, you can paint it any color you want and use a translucent rubber epoxy and even if water gets at it it's suppose to be water resistant.

[suprasam]

I thought about using poly board or that plastic type ducking, but apparently very heavy and also not all that stable. I believe it needs a "hoist" every 18inches for good support. I think my transom brackets are further apart. Thanks

[ngavdba]

I'm rebuilding mine currently which I'll post under Mods, but the teak is very expensive. I'm only replacing three pieces so it won't be as bad financially if I were to totally re-build it. I would look at Ipe before I used Cedar? Naturally resists rotting with no chemicals. I don't know if Cedar would be good for in-the-water use as it is not that hard of a wood. Ipe is more dense than teak. Check out Tigerwood too. I tried Gorilla glue to get me through last season and it was a colossal failure after a few hours in the water despite the label.

[Jetlink]

I think it was Mr. Hunter who was building that platform...and I believe the material of choice was African Mahogany or something... I think he said $125 in materials.

[sydneyACE]

I'm needing to do something myself. I bought the boat without a platform, and have been trying to figure-out a good solution. I was thinking-of building one out of teak, but as you said, teak is VERY expensive. I have access to a metal-fab shop, so I was thinking about making one out of aluminum or stainless.
Anyway, keep-us posted on what you decide with yours.
Show us some pics of the damage.
I might want to buy yours from you and fix-it if you're making a new one.

[michael hunter]

You are correct The teak was 4 times as much as the African mahogany . Do not use the soft Mahogany from the big box stores.
I got it from a specialty lumber supplier in GA. I was able to get 5 1/4 thickness with 3/4 under bracing it worked out perfect
super strong a very rich looking . I finished it with teak oil.

http://i303.photobucket.com/albums/nn127/suprahunter/CarltonsPlatform011.jpg

http://i303.photobucket.com/albums/nn127/suprahunter/CarltonsPlatform024.jpg

http://i303.photobucket.com/albums/nn127/suprahunter/CarltonsPlatform040.jpg

http://i303.photobucket.com/albums/nn127/suprahunter/CarltonsPlatform052-1.jpg

[suprasam]

Michael, If you dont mind me asking where did you buy it in Georgia? I can only find place down in South Georgia that is carrying it other that big chain places.

[ngavdba]

Michael, If you dont mind me asking where did you buy it in Georgia? I can only find place down in South Georgia that is carrying it other that big chain places.


Peach State is in Kennesaw off Moonstation. Atlanta Hardwood is off the perimeter near S. Cobb Drive. Purchased from both places. Very nice to deal with either place.
http://www.peachstatelumber.com/gallery_hardwoods.html
http://www.hardwoodweb.com/dryingyards/html/HWWSpeciesGuide.html

Michael, very very nice. Maybe I should sell my teak to SydneyAce and have commissioned a new African Mahogany swim platform. It's a lot prettier than the teak. I just spent hours and hours on mine and I'm really not that impressed.
When you bought the mahogany did you do S3S or S4S lumber? I bought 4 quarter S3S teak one edge straight lined.

[michael hunter]

I bought the lumber from Suwanee Lumber in Suwanee GA . The recommended two kinds of wood both from Africa . I chose the Mahogany because it came in five quarter thickness . I heard that Atlanta hardwood is also good I have never been there. Give me a call I will be glad to help you with your project. 219-712-5060

[ngavdba]

This is what I was talking about. Just doesn't pop like your "Mahogany Special".

http://i740.photobucket.com/albums/xx49/ngavdba/ba5d8a6b.jpg
I sanded, cleaned, brightened, then coated with 4 excessive coats of oil.
http://i740.photobucket.com/albums/xx49/ngavdba/f528ba09.jpg
helluva lot better, but seems kinda dull to me.

I like the rich deep color that yours has.