Any swim-platform regrets out there?
 

Hi guys,
I have been strongly considering adding a swim-platform, but I have one major concern that may be unique to my style of boat. My ski-tow hook is positioned very low on the back of the boat. The platform would connect only about 4"-6" below the tow-hook. I would say about 70% of my time is pulling a very heavy 4-person tube and I am afraid that the rope will be rubbing and pulling downward on the platform. Once the tube submarined and it snapped the 3/4" poly-braided rope in half, so I know there is a lot of force on the rope. I have looked through the pics and found only the 2002 245's have a hook this low.
So, have any of you with platforms had any problems or regrets with it?

I attached a pic that I photoshopped to see what my boat would look like with a swim-platform. Do you guys also think this could be a proplem?

Thanks for any advice!

Re: Any swim-platform regrets out there?
 

The only 'hitch' I would see is the ladder placement. You may wish to have an 'under platform' mount vs. the top hatch mount. The only other concern may be the platforms grip surface. If it's too rough you may fray the nylon tow rope during lateral rope movement. A protective sleeve over the first 3-4' of tow rope may solve these potential concerns. Good luck. I'm still considering an ESP purchase myself.

Re: Any swim-platform regrets out there?
 

I highly doubt you'd have any issues. The boat is naturally at an incline any time you'd be tubing. If the rope was putting any pressure on it, the bow would have to be under water!

I love mine! I can't think of a single drawback.

Just do it! Besides, I want it installed when I buy the boat from you!!:yes_grin:

Re: Any swim-platform regrets out there?
 

I think you are probably right indykoch about the rope so I looked through some pics from last summer. You can see at times it may be low enough to touch a platform but probably not often. I will have to remove the ladder to put it on according to the instructions. My wife wants me to go ahead and order it, but I am the worlds worst about talking myself out of spending money. So it looks like I have some thinking to do ( I hate the thought of putting all those bolt holes through my hull).
Hey indy, if I get this thing why don't you come over and put it on so it will be done the way you like it for when you buy my boat!:D I only thinking of you of course.

PS: All good boaters have their dock lines attached and hanging over the side of the boat ready for use! :rolleyes: Thought I'd say it before you guys got a chance to heckle me!:yes_grin:

Re: Any swim-platform regrets out there?
 

I've had 3 people standing on the platform together, a good 600 lbs. I don't think there's any way the rope would ever create that much downforce, if any at all. Looking at the pictures in tow, it looks like the rope would definitely be close, but I really don't think the platform would interfere at all.

Don't "think about it", you'll honestly love it and wonder how you went without it. I couldn't be happier with mine. The longer you think about it, the longer it is before you get it installed (if I remember correctly, they had a terrible lead time of about 8 weeks). Drilling the holes definitely sucked! I just made sure to measure 15 times, and use plenty of marine sealant/adhesive in all the holes. Turned out just fine.

I have confidence in you, and fully trust you'll get it installed correctly without my assistance - thanks for thinking of me anyway!!:yes_grin: I'll be more than happy to test it out for you afterwards though... may need the boat for a few years to fully work it over and give my approval... :rolling_laugh:

Re: Any swim-platform regrets out there?
 

New to the site and just reading some if the threads. I have a 22' that I added a swim platform to last year...Love it! I can't believe I waited that long. I got the boat in 2002. I got the platform through swimplatforms.com, they were great to deal with and the platform looks stock. Installed with 2 people. No pictures yet, but will get some up soon.