Integrated swim platform or not?
 

Just curious which most people prefer? and why? I myself like the integrated platforms better because the boat looks "finnished" and not like they just nmounted a home made rack.......but on the other hand you can argue that you actually loose boat length because the count the platform in the length......so lets see what the majority likes

I have to disagree with you Wally. I like square transoms with bolt on platforms, Cig's, Pantera's, etc., classic looking.

Ditto-- I'm with Milord

Alot of it depends on the boat. On my 37 Active Thunder (Radio Active) I believe my add on swimm platform was right for that squared off looking boat, BUT for my 4300 Nortech the molded one is the way to go, it flows with the lines of the boat much better, and its truely what I prefer.:D

I personally like the looks of the integrated better. I have owned both.

Dean

BOLT-ON!!!

This is a no brainer. Integrated platforms just add tons of curves, bends, and weird corners. Just more places for stress cracks to occur.

Well with a Baja It's gonna crack regardless of what kind of swim platform you have anyway! :D


I think it all depends on what kind of boat you are looking at.

Now that was not very nice CAP. :D:D See I just thought it you had to go and say it.

<< Lifting a Beer Up to boatfreak28 :D :p :)

For me, I don't like built-in swim platforms.

I like flat transoms and bolt-on platforms. It's the way offshore was intended.

Too Old-damn, there you go causing sh*t with a beautiful transom pic!:drool: :drool: :D :D

B

Hey CAP,

Show your crack and I will insert my platform. :eek:

Waves just don't sound right slappin against a molded platform. I'll take a straight transom and a teak or aluminum platform anyday.

I like the classic look's and noise of the flat back's, tube's for me....

I love Baja's They look great with swim platforms HA-Ha!:D

:p :p :p Been there done it with Baja so don't go there with me.:hothead:

Oh I did know I was speaking to you High Tide?

Flat transoms are it!!!
I want a full length hull - not 2 foot sticking out the back that is useless to go fast or handle big water.
A molded platform is like a "male anatomy extension" it might look bigger, but it doesn't provide any more pleasure to the user.
HAHA

Easy CAP071 I was kidding, I'm not sure you are.

So was I just didn't think someone's .02 was going to be added in


Hightide you have PM

None of the above - just your crack.

Tell ya what to stop the crying I'll remove my reply just tell me how ? LMAO


Oh and I'll buy everyone a round of cold 1 's Ok?

Sound good to me Cap :D:D

I like the flat transoms on most boats but there are a couple that the molded look good. Fountains for example look better with then they would with out.

Jon

Traditional square transom....a classic offshore style. Which can be complemented nicely with a tube style platform, if you want one. I like the styling of old Fountains vs new with the platform. The 32 Hustler( personal bias) vs the 344 Cheetah.

CAP071,
You will have to go back to Key West in Feb. when I have my flat back Thunder with bolt on swim platform there. Then you can buy me a beer.:D

Some manufacturer like them to turn 32's into 35's and 35's into 38's they might even say there boat is lighter!!! for the length! Figure that...

I prefer the squared back vs. the swim platform. I'm yanking the "silent thunder" off my Formula, luckily mine's a bolt on. Will ultimately go with an extreme marine model to keep "the wife" happy (like that's possible with the boat).

I think the moulded looks good on my Fountain,but
I like the classic looks, flat decks,square windshields
and square transoms. Of coarse the tube style platform
looks great compared to the old teak or bolt on glass
platforms.

Why are you headed back there in Feb? Vacation ? I just may show up at your door!

I have not read 1 post on this thread so if it was mentioned I'm sorry.

I had a 38 Scarab that ran about 70+ mph and as time went by my swim platform started taking on water and we lost about 12mph with the 600+lbs in the transom.

This is the boat...

well I know that I could have never pulled the gimble housing off my boat without taking the motor out if it had a Fountain style swim step. Rag's

CAP071 I live in Indiana why wouldn't I want to be in the Keys in Febuary.:D

Think you would lose some speed with, say, 1300 pounds on the transom?

Ditto!



Jan

Thanks for your PM

This is a tough question. I don't buy a boat based on the swim platform and I've had both. As long as the boat has and does everything you want, then it shouldn't matter.

I will say that there is something to be said for getting a little more boat with the bolt on boats.

However, someone shouldn't be buying a boat with an integrated swim platform that might not be big enough for there needs. They should jump up to the next size model.

So everyone's commenting on the "cosmetics"...O.K. I'll go 50/50 on that one. Some are truly integrated into the lines of the boat, other molded in platforms look like an afterthought, much like the original Silent Thunder, or the bolted on Scarab platform if the 31's and 38's. Some "square edged" older hull designs that still live, definitely look more "hardcore" with a pipe platform. I've had both pipe and integrated. When it comes to "usability"...underfoot comfort...sitting on it, putting your stuff (towels, lotions, bla bla bla) down on it, setting out food at the beach, or setting your glasses or beer down on it...NOTHING compares to a molded in platform! :D I have a 353 Formula now...but I've got to tell you the integrated platform of the 32'/41' Velocity is one of the largest, deepest, flattest and closest to the water integrated platforms of any perf. boat under 50' that I've seen. If you spend alot of time swimming off the back of the boat, or hanging out at beaches as we do...you know how much more enjoyable a really practical and usable fiberglass integral platform is. ;) Just the additional ease of use (boarding) and comfort for the ladies is a huge plus. :) I don't buy the length argument...if you can't figure out for yourself how much "bottom" your getting for your $, or if the inside is big enough for the $...you shouldn't be buying one! :rolleyes:

"I want more boat for the money" ...what a misnomer. If you think that the builders are going to give more "finished" boat" for the length, (instead of an integrated platform) for the same money...your mistaken. The price per foot of upholstered, hardwared, finished interior/per length of the hull, will be the same from a given manufacturer. Your "more boat" will be "more money"! Just as it is now! Platforms have nothing to do with it! ;)

Regardless of the looks of the platforms (I personally like the bolt-ons better because it gives more flexibility i.e. removing, changing color, etc,), I can tell you one thing for sure. My 35' cigarette parked right next to a 38 Fountain, which it was at LOTO, are exactly the same length.
What does this mean? Nothing as long as you know that in order to get a 35' Fountain, you must buy the 38.
By the way, the 38 Fountain was a kick-ass boat, regardless of it's length!
Not bashing, just stating facts.:D

Rippem, i guess what my original question should have been is "do you want more running surface for the same size boat?"

Granted all of you make good argument either way...and once it come down to it, its all about personal likes and dislikes about the perticular boat in question........

Me personaly, the things i like about the molded platforms is that...
1. (like i said originally) the boat looks more "finnished" when the lines follow the boat the right way.
2. mounting something like a remote controll for the stereo looks better cause it sortof "fits there"(again My Oppinion) where as if you just mounted it on the back of a flat transome above the platform it just woudlnt look right to me...
3. I also think the girls like it better.....(again only my oppinion)....i think they like the smooth contours better then the traditional tube style platform only because its "smoother" .......i know more then a few girls who didnt liek sitting on the tube style platforms cause it was uncomfortable. Dont get me wrong here....i'm not saying that you should be influenced by what girl liek or dislike...but if a major purchase like an offshore boat is being considered by a couple (i.e. married) then you can be sure women will have a say in it......



ok...ive been sidetracked a few times during this typing and have lost my steam :) .....thats all i have for now till the brain starts working again! ;)

Wally makes some good points, it's all what the intended purpose is for the boat. My last boat (28' Nordic) had the integrated platform that saw its fair share of use. Those times when we were in a cove just hanging with friends, it was indispensible for swimming, hanging on, drying off before climbing back aboard, etc. And the girls would hang their feet overboard while sitting on the platform and just have a good time. It even had a under platform mounted ladder that was hidden for the most part and that was great when swimming. With the flat transom, this type of activity would not be as user friendly. When I was just running, I wish I had the flat transom and a few more feet of hull, when I was hanging, the platform was great. I could go either way next time since half the time we just run, the other half we just hang.