Project - Swim Platform Addition
 

Hi Gang.

I've been thinking about adding a swim platform onto my '97 198se Shabah. Trying to add to the ski/tube/wake experience for my kids (16 & 14) and their guest this summer. We have a 100" tube that they raft off of at the cottage, and I'm always worried about their friends jumping onto the prop, or slipping off the back as they get in and out of the boat.

Has anyone had experience with doing this little project. Pros and Cons? Still searching for information about styles and types of Swim Platforms. What costs should I expect?

I found a used teak platform in a local add for $ 250, but not sure this is the look I'm after. Has anyone else added a teak platform to their boat?

Please share your experience, web links and pis's.

Thanks inadvance.

PS - This snow is driving me crazy! Currently -19C. All I can think of is getting my boat ready for the first day of boating season up here.

I too would love to add a swim platform for exactly the same reason as you Vern, however the availability in Oz in zero so we have to get new ones. These cost about $1500 direct from Sea Fox :eek_animated:

I have been considering a platform extension as well. Check out www.swimplatforms.com , they have some photos of platforms actually on Mariahs.
I received info. and pricing for my boat $1595.00 US. for platform and approx. $500.00 shipping. Apparently only takes a few hours to install.

Good Luck,

I installed a platform from swimplatforms,com, onto my Z260. It is very well built. At the time they could not make it in an exact color match, only snow-white. My boat is an off white.
I put it on by myself but two people would have it done in short order. Installing the bolts was the most difficult issue, as access to the inside transom was minimal.
The platform adds so much more usable space. We are very happy with it.
I have some photos of the installation if you are interested.
steve

Wow that is one hell of a project Steve, looks like you did a great job.
Does it come with a ladder or did you use your old one somehow?
Just checked out that platform website Scotty, the rave page is very interesting. The cost is a bit up there though.
Looks like we might have to eat baked beans for a year to pay for it!

If you eat enough baked beans you wont have to worry about fuel to power your boat..... :yes_grin:

Dudders,
It came w/a nice deep ladder. I removed the old ladder and filled the bolt holes. The new platform is closer to the water than the old location. You can climb out of the water easier now also.
Its a boat. The only thing on it that is cheap, is me.
steve

The swim platform link looks good. I wonder if there is a Canadian mftr? Shipping accross the border may add too much to the cost of this little project.

BOAT = Break Out Another Thousand.

This project may have to wait until the fall.

BTW - has anyone put on a teak platform? Not sure what that would look like. Looks OK on my buddies Mastercraft.

We got an extended swim platform from Swimplatforms.com this past spring and what a difference it made over the summer! Just like people say in the raves page, this truly is one of the best investments for your boat. We had ours installed by a guy that does fiberglass work for us over in Chelan as the boat was there for other work as well.

Unfortunately, the only pictures i have of the platform are from far away. I will be sure to upload more pictures of our install when we get the boat out of storage, but that won't be for several more months.

http://www.mariahownersclub.com/foru...1_DSC_0161.jpghttp://www.mariahownersclub.com/foru...1_DSC_0214.jpg http://www.mariahownersclub.com/foru...1_DSC_0146.jpg http://www.mariahownersclub.com/foru...rd_angle_e.jpg

Checkout the high res. versions here: http://www.mariahownersclub.com/gallery/index.php?c=41

That looks great! I’ve been thinking of getting one. With just the two supports does it feel solid? I have some 300 pounders in the family (inlaws). :eek_animated:

uh huh....it's always the 'in-laws' or a 'friend of mine' or ...... :rolling_laugh:

At least it ain't the wife!!! Yet!!:pink_smile:

Somebody needs to do a writeup on these! They look great, maybe we could get a group buy price going if we get enough people! :)

Well, you guys have me hooked on getting an extended swim platform. I would love to have one, but swimplatforms.com wants about $1600 for my boat. I can't seem to justify that quite yet, but I'm trying!

One avenue I'm working on, and thought I'd share in case the price is right, is obtaining one from Sea Fox Mariah. The hull on my Z212 Shabah is the exact same one they still use for the SX21. I'm currently working with a Cincinnati dealer to see about buying one. I'll keep you guys posted in case your hull is the current mold also. I don't see why they wouldn't sell me one. I told them I know there's no warranty or guarantee of any sorts, and I'm willing to pay in full and take all responsibility.

One other note - I found out the 2 Sea Fox Mariah dealers in this area (Indy) have quite carrying them. Don't know why or what's going on, but it took a while to find a current dealer in this area through their website. None left in Indiana, None in Illinois, None in nearby Kentucky. Looks like a 2 hour drive to Ohio if they give me a good price!!!

You working with South Shore Marina at Cowan Lake? That's the only dealer remotely close to Cincinnati that I know carries Mariah, and they just started carrying them recently. Keep us updated on the status of this. Also let me know if I can help. I'd be more than willing to pick it up and drive it to you if you'd like!

Hi Guys, with the cost of a new platform + shipping + duties + taxes growing on the research side of this project I've started looking at other options. I've located a used platforms from a SeaRay that is a close match to my boat. I can pick up this used platform from a local marine salvage yard for about $200. Even if I have to have it modified to fit and then refinished, it will be a significant savings. Has anyone else tried this?

Trying to save a little cash for gas.

If you have a through hull exhaust on your boat will a swim platform affect this as far as performance or sound? Do I have to get one that will mold around the exhaust? These questions are the only reason I havent got one yet. I really would like to have one but just dont know what effect it will have on the performance and sound. :confused::confused::confused:

From the looks of your pictures, you've got a factory setup, so you shouldn't have any problem at all. If it's aftermarket, you might have to get it custom molded.

Performance wise, you won't notice any decrease by adding a swim platform, just figure you'll be carrying the weight of another passenger at all times. Sound wise, you'll probably gain a little more due to the reflected sound and it being contained between the water and the platform, but I wouldn't expect huge gains.

I would however expect to have to clean the underside of the platform more due to the exhaust!

Yes, they are the only one even remotely close! I greatly appreciate the offer of first class delivery, but I do a lot of work with Macy's corporate over there and can pick it up while in the area one day. Geez... are you going for the "Super Administrator" title, or what?:yes_grin:

Great idea with the salvage yard VernB63! I may look into that if this deal doesn't work out. It would be quite difficult for my boat (transom angles the opposite direction from most boats) but worth the look I guess.

dwmax - not real sure if the thru-hull exhaust would get in the way or not. If you look at the pictures on www.swimplatforms.com/212_mariah.html it looks like they might clear it underneath the platform. I know the new SX21 can be ordered with both, so I'd assume it works (with the factory one at least). I think it would drown out the exhaust noise a little... but then again... it could cause an echo and make it louder?!?!

Spring boat project?
 

Guys, has anyone used 'marine plywood' or 'plastic / composite materials' in a project like this?

I'm considering creating my own 'custom' swim platform template (80" x 26") out of 'marine plywwod' that is a perfect match to boat and its style lines. I would then having a glass guy seal, apply fiberglass skin over template / ribs and edging. Finish platform with gelcoat and a non skid material / pattern. Source stainless 7/8" tubing to have cut to length and brackets made at a reasonable cost. The old ladder can be reused as well. It will take time, but I still have 3 months before the kids will get in the water for any serious skiing/tubing.

If I've overlooked something let me know. Thanks.

I've tried to upload a PDF from moutainmarine.com that shows how to measure your transom for a swim platform. Take a look at their site for platform information and products.

I've never tried that, but I'd like to see how it works out for you, so keep us updated!!

I was worried it might drown it out. Its definately a possibillity, but if you could keep me posted as to wether or not the new mariah platforms will work on our boats or not that would be great. Thanks Darrell :yes_grin:

I'll let you know tomorrow. I received a response today from the dealer saying the hull of the SX21 is different than the Z212 Shabah. So I gathered about 8 photographs from Mariahs for sale ranging from 2005 to 2008 that show it's the exact same mold as my '99. I'll be sending him the pictures tomorrow and asking him to simply sell me a swim platform, I'll even give it to him for free if it doesn't fit my boat (that's how sure I am that it's the same mold). Hopefully he responds tomorrow - I'll update this post as soon as he does.

I can kinda see why Sea Fox Mariah tries keeping their hands clean of the old company, but they're acting like they don't ever want a future customer from the old Mariah boat owners. That's terrible in my mind.

I know, it is a shame they won't support the older Mariahs. But they should expect massive inquiries and disappointment, being as they kept the name and all the trademarks. It seems to me if you were going to buy a company's old assets, you'd at least keep them in stock. From what I've heard, they just tossed all the old molds & jigs so they could redesign the interiors. That's all good on their part, but why not keep the originals so you can support the original mariah boat owners? I'm quite sure they'd have a steady business going with just that! :confused:

What's confusing for me is for my size boat, I'm not sure which company has my mold. Challenger's 250FPS and SFMariah's SC25 are almost identical.

Keep us updated on what the dealer says!!

Well, I sent him the attached photos of a 2007 transom and mine (the photos with dates are my boat). The dealer agreed completely that these are the same hull molds. He said he'd have to use a HIN number to order a part like this, but he had an SX21 in stock that he may be able to pull the number from. Then he informed me the price would be around $1500!!!

I told him I could get the custom built one for that amount, and figured a mass produced (somewhat) option from the factory, without labor, would be considerably less! I'm waiting for that response. Either way, looks like about $1500 that I'm not terribly excited about parting with.

So now the question - do I get the custom platform, which looks like really good quality, would come with a warranty, but probably have longer lead time... or do I get the factory platform, which has "Mariah" molded into it, no warranty of any sorts (since it "won't fit" according to them) but probably shorter lead time????

But remember, the logos between our Mariah and the new ones have changed. So you'd have a discrepancy there. And personally by the look of that last photo, it doesn't look very streamlined, it just looks kind of "stuck" on there, and with rubrails? They don't even match up. Between the two, I think I'd choose swimplatforms version. The version for the z212 they have on the site is totally sexy and would look sweet on your boat, especially if they colormatched the edges, which i'm sure is additional.

I agree. It looks an afterthought and not a very good one at that.

Yeah... I'd have to agree with all of you. The factory platform doesn't look nearly as good. That hole is for access to the stern tiedown (although I don't know how much you'd actually use it).

The color matching of the "custom" one is an additional $200 or $300. Looks good, but not at that price. I'm going to try "dealing" with the swimplatforms.com guy to see if he can get the price down slightly. This one is about 3 or 4 inches closer to the waterline, has a ladder underneath the platform, and a better overall look.

I'm still struggling with adding $1500 of "accesories" to the boat for something I probably wouldn't get much return on. Granted, the looks, safety factor, and popularity of the option are highly positive aspects.

Tell the guy about the MOC forum, and the potential interest of quite a few of our members and maybe ask about a group buy price if we were to get enough people interested! Worst thing he could say is no, and then you just try another route to get a discount!! :)

Here is what Challenger has done with the Z302. The swim platform is standard and it looks like it may be from swimplatforms.com

http://www.challengerpowerboats.com/302_fps.cfm

http://www.powerboatmag.com/content/view/204/3/
Check out the list price!:yikes:

This pic of the 250 FPS confirms they use swimplatforms.com. It has the small blue oval on the rear of the platform.

http://www.challengerpowerboats.com/08family_models.cfm

Good eye John! That's interesting to see how they're using swimplatforms as an OEM supplier! And wow, I had no idea the 302's were going for that much. Mariah's original price was around 30-50k less, and was much more well equipped and unique. No wonder they're not selling any!

Tell him that we can offer him advertisement on the site and homepage in exchange for an exclusive club discount. There are a lot of people on this board that would be interested in purchasing a platform if the price is right.

You can also tell him that the co-founder of the site is the owner of the blue 2001 252 Shabah that they had to design a platform for this past year.

My younger brother was the one that pitched the idea of a swim platform to my dad and made the argument for it. He wanted it because it would make getting the wakeboard on and off easier. I personally didn't see a need for it and thought bolting on a piece of fiberglass would ruin the lines of the boat. Boy was i wrong. The boat looks and feels larger and its so nice to sit on the platform out in the middle of the lake with your legs in the water. It really adds a lot to the boat and you will be impressed as well. You'll realize there's more use/need than you ever really realized.

And i'm not surprised that the stealership came in at about the price of the swimplatforms.com model. The factory Mariah one looks pretty ugly compared to how sleek the swimplatforms.com one is.

As i said, you wont' be disappointed.

I've sent them the offer. Obviously, I'll need to refer them to you and/or Chris if they're interested. The carrot is dangling in from of them, I'll let you know what they say! And thanks for throwing this offer out there for us members!

Swimplatforms.com has no interest in free advertising on our site. In fact, they have a 7 week lead time right now, and don't seem interested in expanding their business even more.

I also tried getting any sort of discount possible, and they acted as though keeping my original quote from last October was generous enough!

Looks like I'm paying $1500 and waiting 'til May! From what I hear, it'll be worth it. But between the slip, platform, payments, insurance, and miscellaneous maintenance/repair, I'm out $5000+ already this year and I haven't even seen my boat!!!

That's to bad Ryan. Thanks for trying though!

Maybe they will reconsider later on. From your comments Ryan, they sound a bit condescending and that won't help to create new customers in the future.

If you have a 7 week lead time then sounds like you should be hiring more people to increase your work force and ensuring you keep brining in orders to ensure the increase in labor is being used efficiently, thus decreasing lead time and keeping customers happy. People get discouraged when they have to wait that long for a product. They should be jumping at the opportunity for free marketing. Oh well, i'm just a college student, what do i know;)

I can say you won't be disappointed with your purchase. Once you get it on and get to use the platform, you'll wonder why you didn't install it sooner. And as far as money goes, there's a reason why boats are considered bottomless buckets in the water you throw money into:rolleyes:

The platform is shipping today!!!:) Total cost = $1502.00 and should arrive in 4-5 days. I'll do a write-up for the installation next week.

I'm a bit worried though... I want to do this myself to save some money, so I checked everything out last week to investigate an issue I knew I'd have. I think all the original Mariahs have this, but my Z212 has a "wall" between the engine and transom (it mounts the engine compartment lights, cables, wiring, etc. for a clean look). There's a decent size hole to work through on the port side to reach the bolts going through the transom, but only a tiny hole on the starboard side. I don't think there's any way of temporarily removing/relocating the "wall" during install, and I surely don't want to cut a hole so I can reach the transom. I'm sure I can enlist the help of my 7 year old daughter to do some acrobatic maneuvers... hopefully she can hold the hardware while I tighten somehow! You'll see what I mean from the pictures. Has anyone else had to deal with this wall for anything?

Indykoch,
I put a swimplatform on my Z260 awhile back. We really like it. They included decent instructions. I took my time, as I was working alone, and it came out fine.

The 'wall' in my boat appears to be the structural portion of the transom, just extended vertically to make it a pain in the ass to work around. I was able to squeeze in to the engine compartment and twist my head enough to look over the wall and get nuts on the bolts. Many bolts were placed without ever seeing the nuts or washers. Because the thru bolts are only thru thin fiberglass, they should have a spreader plate installed to disperse the load over a larger area.
I took a bunch of photos during installation. I will attach them here, maybe the admin guy will choose to move them, there are quite a few. I did it in the yard during a warm spell in January. I only needed help during bolt torqueing and when I was bleeding excessively from all the fiberglass cuts.
The platform was sealed to the transom with 5200, which I now regret. The 5200 is too strong. It will be replaced with the 4200.
Hope this helps.
steve (S.L.P.)