DIY Bowrider boat swim platform. Chaparral 180se.
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- čas přidán 5. 09. 2024
- Well the sun is high in the sky and the July heat has finally kicked in here in Central Ontario Canada. As a result of this, I"m finally thinking about boating with my 1999 Chaparral 180se fibreglass bowrider boat. One of the key features of this boat that I was missing when purchased from the factory was a swim platform. In this video I show you how I took a problem and solved it by making my own wooden swim platform. Check out the basic design and methods I use to mount the swim platform to the boat. This isn't rocket science here! With some shaky hands and 3M marine adhesive, the whole process of attaching my woodworking project to my untouched boat was a bit hair-raising. Despite the fear that comes with drilling holes into your fibreglass boat below the waterline, things turned out for the better and I"m now several years along after the installation of this wooden swim platform. Don't be afraid, you too can create a nice addition to your boat with a bit of basic woodworking skill and some tips I give you in this video. Ahoy!
A very fine job my friend, very fine!
Thanks David
Great job! Planning on doing this my 1999 Bayliner.
You did a fantastic job, terrific in both the video but more importantly, the construction of the platform, thank you for sharing this, you just saved me about $800.00!
Glad it will work for ya!
Thank you for sharing this. We have been wanting to add a platform to our boat. Buying one is ridiculously expensive.
I am planning to make one like you did. Only thing I plan to change is to make the brackets out of aluminum or stainless steel for rustproofing.
In reality, the amount of work you put into this deck would've been the same as if you purchased a premade deck. Either way all the mounting, drilling, and fitment had to happen.... You just saved yourself a $1000 dollars and have something to be proud of to show off 👍. Good job
Thanks and I agree some different hardware for the mounts would for sure be a better option. I always wanted a platform and I love woodworking so one day I woke up and decided that was the day haha
You're an absolute legend. Incredible build
Thank you!
Great video and explanation im Going for it. My boat is old and cheap I have nothing to lose
Excellent work and thanks for sharing your idea. I just bought a 2008 Bowrider 175 with a 3.0 Mercruiser. Since my motor is smaller, I may alter your design by using lightweight composite decking. Another added benefit is little to no maintenance on the finish.
You’re right about the maintenance I barely do anything to this thing. Hope your build goes well
Great insite thanks very much 👍
nice work. do you miss having a handle that youre able to reach when climbing the ladder? im also thinking of starting this project but trying to figure out if i should plan a oval cutout in my swimplatform to act as a handle.
Looking good ! 😉
Ooohhh yeah
In the video you say it’s red oak, a highly absorbent wood. It the comments you say it’s white oak, a wood that isn’t very absorbent.
As mentioned, teak (expensive wood, doesn’t absorb) would be a better choice, however you aren’t leaving your boat in the water all year long, so honestly it should last as long as the plastics on the boat, longer if you keep up your annual maintenance on it with the tung oil.
I found your video because I’m looking at the possibility of needing similar for myself. I’m looking for a sailboat to do The Loop, the Caribbean, and a crossing so I can do the Mediterranean, Adriatic, and Black Seas. Many used sailboats on the market lack a swim platform, which I consider mandatory if I’m sitting at anchor in Ibiza, Monaco, Mallorca, Mykonos, Bodrum, Unye, Nessebar, or Batumi.
THANK YOU for showing me that the project is indeed easy and relatively basic, as it looks, but as with everything done to a boat, is something many fear to embark on for fear of screwing up the boat.
Great video, I have saved it to my boat list so I don’t lose track of it and can easily find it again if and when the time comes for me to copy your design!
Hey Rick! Thanks for watching. The platform is still holding up great with just an annual application of the oil. I agree that teak would be ideal though compared to this. Hope the build goes well for ya. Keep me updated!
Not bad, very similar to mine. I have made two on my own, both out of composites, which of course cost a bit more. First one was constructed like yours, like a deck with boards running side to side on the top. My second one was made with an antiskid Starboard topper. Has a clean look but cost 30% more total than the first one.
Love it. Great job. I'm probably going to make one but out of white oak, which is slightly better in the water. Since you seal it regularly, yours will be fine. Any negatives we should keep in mind? Thanks in advance.
All has gone well with it Dave. Solid as can be so far.
I know it’s been over a year ago but how many people have you had on it. I know I could build one but drill in the fiberglass 🥺.
ty
Running bolt through the hull how to you make sure it doesn’t leak
I can’t remember the exact stuff I used anymore but it was made by 3M
How did you reach way down below for backer plates the darn motor is in the way
It was a bit tricky but I was able to reach around the engine
Did you install backer plates for the support rod brackets as well?
Yes I did
What size pipe did you use diameter and will it hold an adult without bend?
3/4” pipe. I’ve had two adults standing on it without issue
Thank you. How heavy do you think the platform is?
I was able to position it in place on my own so I’d say 50lbs give or take
Maybe I’m missing it, but did you post a link to the ladder?
Think there's a link in the video description if my memory serves me right
What type of sealant did you use around the screw holes you made
Tung oil
What kind of wood did you use?
I just used what I had on hand which was white oak. I’d prefer to use teak or ipa if cost was not a consideration
What are your thoughts on using composite vs actual wood?
My main concern with composite is it doesn't have much stiffness so it would bend unless there is a good amount of structure holding it up
Did you have any issues with taking off on the water. Does the platform hit the water when you hull shot it?
The platform is high enough that it doesn’t touch the water
How did you compensate for the transom angle noticed the gap did you use washers?
I didn’t account for any transom angle. I just bolt the bracket tight to the transom as it’s pretty well vertical
What are your dimensions and what size boards... doing this this weekend
Nice and functional! It would be much, much more comfortable to add some kind of handrail, otherwise, somebody has to give a hand to the person that desperately tries to get out of the water.
You are right there. May be something I add on later. Thanks for watching
But can you stand on it and what’s the weight limit on it?
I’ve had two adults on it before so probably around 410lbs
Nice but use rvs not a gaspipe
What size pipe ?
3/4” if my memory serves me right
I HAVE LOOKED EVERYWHERE FOR THE BRACKETS CAN YOU PLEEEEEEEESE SEND ME A LINK
These are very similar to what I used
Called dock corners or dock hardware
Dock Edge Floating Dock Hardware www.amazon.ca/dp/B007H2Q422/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_J0prFbMC5S977
Would you make one for my boat?
Unfortunately time is not on my side for side jobs at the moment
Is it too heavy?
Seems to do well on the back of the boat. Been on there for quite a while now
I literally didn't hear a single word you said for the first minute because I couldn't take my eyes off that hat. Is it your wife's or are you doing a drag show later?
Hey I love that hat. You're missing out on life without a sombraro 😉
Your video camera work is piss poor! Slow down the movement of the camera damb!
Check out my other videos if you didn't like this one. I've got over 500 to choose from