Glenn (s/v Seawing) wrote:
Hi! Looking to pick your brains a little. I am making some major
changes to my boat this year. Some of you think I'm nuts & that alot
of these changes are not necessary. I remind you that my wife is
eager to go back cruising for a year or two at a time and lots of
your wives are not. :-).

One of the additions we are looking for is the addition of a swim
platform. Our boat is a Gulfstar 41' Auxillary (the sailboat hull &
not the trawler hull). This vessel is a centre cockpit. We are
looking to build a swim platform on the stern as well as a fairly
substantial boarding ladder from the platform to deck level. I'd
like the platform to be fairly sturdy.

Please post your advise, observations & experience. I need to have
some ideas on design, construction methods & pitfalls I've not yet
imagined.

Thanks all!

Glenn.
s/v Seawing.

The boat I sail on, a Beneteau First 41.5 has a bathing platform hinged into
the transom. When closed the "flap" is sealed and flush with the transom,
and opens only when required. The "door" is in glassfibre and is shaped and
gelcoated exactly as the transom. Obviously this arrangement has been
allowed for in the mould, and would be very difficult to build as an add-on,
but it does work well and keeps the transom looking smart when not in use.

Dennis.