Swim platform

D

dvan

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I was thinking about building a new swim platform. So I go to the hardwood store and after picking myself up off the floor when being told the price for teak, I started thinking about what other woods could be used. So I ask, are swim platforms made of any different wood then teak.
Thanks in advance.
Dennis
 
I would think mahogany c/b used. What about starboard ? Marine plywood covered with fiberglass ?
 
Dennis,

You might check some of the boating classified ads - I have seen them used on several occasions, and you might find one that can either be refinished, or is good to go. I saw a really clean fglass on on the Bayliner Owners Club site off a 32xx - 11 1/2 beam not long ago. I gotta think building a nice swim platform is a lot of work, as well as expensive. You might also put a wanted on the Sea Ray club sites - you never know!

Jim
 
You could check with Scott at "swimplatforms.com" as it looks like he makes an extended platform for your Searay. His phone number is 602-431-8225. He makes a very nice product at a reasonable price.

Dave
 
Thanks for the repies.
I have a fiberglass platform, it was an extra one that came with the boat. It has cut outs for the twin outdrives so it doesnt leave much room to stand.
I do alot of woodworking that is why I will be building one myself. If I dont use teak I was thinking about mahogany, as Bob had suggested. I dont have much experience with out door finishes, any suggestions on what to use.
Thanks
Dennis
 
dvan,

Regarding your question of what finishes to use, the near universal stance on finishing a wooden swim platform is "don't". Bare wood provides the best traction for bare feet when wet, which is what "swim platfoms" are named for. The same is true even if you only use it for boarding, wearing shoes, and when it is usually dry. Any finish will make it much more slippery and much more prone to causing dangerous falls. Additionally, in that wet an environment, no finish will last very long.

BTG
 
Thanks Flutterby and BTG. That platform on the link was pretty, but as BTG said about traction it sure looks slippery.
What got me thinking about a new platform was I spent all last week refinishing all the teak on the inside of the boat.(never knew how much there was until I got started) After that the platform looked pretty bad. So Saturday I pressure washed the platform and it looks pretty good, so it might make another year.
 
One quick thing--while pressure washing was good for your fiberglas platform, NEVER pressure wash teak. Pressure washing eats away the softer wood between the grain lines and leaves a very rough, rippled surface. Pressure washing is one of the few things that will cause teak to quickly shed dangerous splinters. For the same reason, stiff scrub brushes are discouraged, as is any scrubbing or sanding along the grain. Any "elbow grease" applied to teak should be across the grain to the extent possible.

BTG
 
I believe oiling treatments for teak swim platforms will not produce a slippery surface, except for the first day or two. Once the oil has been absorbed, it does not need to be done for several months unless the teak has been abused or allowed to get very very dry. Never varnish a teak swim platform.
 
Flutterby is correct. When indicating "unfinished", I was thinking only of varnishes (and, gasp, paint.) Oil could be thought of as a "finish", though I think of it as something else. If you want a darker, richer color, teak oil may work well for you.

(My own view is that teak oil (actually, the related cleaning/reapplication process) eats away more teak than it preserves--but that may just be a self-rationalization for me leaving teak decks bare and not oiling them....)

BTG
 
Yes, it is all about personal taste. I love the look of oiled teak. alas, my swim platform is fiberglass.......
 
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