I'm in the process of putting together a plan to build a fiberglass swim platform for my boat. I really want to build a custom one with speaker enclosures since they don't offer anything my my model, and would really like to do it myself.

I'm not sure what the best way to do it is since i've never done anything like this before.

I'm thinking I would build a swim platform out of wood exactly how I want it and finish it up nice with some type of body filler, then make a fiberglass mold on top of it. Once I finish the glass mold I could make the swim platform inside the mold I previously made and pull it out once its done right?

whats the best way to make the textured non-slip surface where you would be stepping on?

What would be the best way to layer the glass to make sure it would hold up hard use? How many layers would I need and what type of material? Its a 9' beam and it was going to be around 2' wide

Those non-slip textures are purchased and glued on the surface of the plug. I'll get you the name of the company by Monday.

You would build the plug, as you said to the exact model you want in size, etc

the swim platform steps assembly are usually preferred to be recessed on the platform as opposed to the retractable kind for preventing water to enter inside the platform

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Please read all of the instructions on the glass products you will use and be sure the platform can handle the weight that would be exerted on the platform itself.


Here's one that we rebuilt after a storm damaged the handle used for climbing aboard.

Notice the rough surface and the triangular support of the platform

http://www.masepoxies.com/public/ind...oductid=777755 or find someone with a mold with an anti skid pattern and buy a premade sheet.

Noli in a repair application I have used white silca sand in the gel to replicate the non skid . The other way to build is the way I'm building my fairing , Free hand. I laid up straight panels of multi layers of triax 17 oz stitch mat and then glued them together simpler than building a model but a pain to finish .

Nice job Rik,

show us pics of the finished windscreen

also what other glass work have you designed/completed

anybody have any thoughts on how I should layer the fiberglass? Should I use the mat/cloth? How many times? What about adding wood in between layers for additional support. I would like this heavy duty, since at times i can see upwards of 10 people standing on it

Will do Noli . I have a picture of the access step I built for my cigarette. It fits in the corner of the passenger bolster so as to step up to the deck.
I also built my swim platform out of aluminum. I love my tube bender. I will post picture soon as I can .
Rick G.

Here is the picyure of the step I built.It is removable.
Rick G.

I also built an insert for my engine hatch . I did this so when I had the wife and kids along we could use the hatch as a sun pad and for poker runs I could remove it and have the preformance blower box styling.
Rick G.