Formula Extended Swim Platform Question


T

tpenfield

Member
Hello Everyone,

I am taking on a rather ambitious project in making an extended swim platform (a La DIY) for my 1996 330 SS, similar to the factory Extended Swim Platforms that Formula puts on their boats (as an option), like what you see below . . .

FormulaESP1.jpg FormulaESP2.jpg

Adding an extended swim platform has been on my bucket list for a while, and because I don't know any better :rolleyes: , I decided to make one. I have worked up a design that has a couple extra goodies, namely dual fold-out swim ladders, similar to the OEM fold-out on my 330 SS, as well as pop-out cleats for a stern anchor when doing the sandbar thing.

Swimplatform01.jpg

Here is an enhanced design image showing part of the stern area and the ladders deployed.

Swimplatform12.jpg

I've already started making the platform, and not getting into the details, but one question I have is for the folks here with factory provided extended platforms, do you have any photos of how the platform is attached to the stern/transom of the boat? The pictures that I can find online all show the topside of the platform, but I have yet to find any of the underside showing the hardware mounting, struts, etc.

Anyone with the extended platform got any pictures of underneath? @BoilerDaddy - any factory photos that you can share?

I have got some ideas on how I plan to secure the platform once it is made, just looking for some factory comparisons as a sanity check. T. I. A.
 
It's attached entirely from the top (by covering the "regular" platform).
 

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FastMarkA said:
It's attached entirely from the top (by covering the "regular" platform).
Click to expand...

Awesome !!! Thanks for the pictures. No struts . . . who wouldda thunk ?

I would imagine Formula uses fasteners and adhesive sealant on the top, and it looks like a series of bolts underneath. I am surprised to see that it is a full cantilever without supporting struts.

Anybody else got some pictures? The more the better :cool:
 
Formula Tenn said:
I hope you take lots of notes and photos on this, I'm a sucker for a good DIY project like this!
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I have a full thread on-going over on iBoats https://forums.iboats.com/forum/boa...1739-custom-fiberglass-extended-swim-platform

Too much to duplicate here, but I'll gladly post some progress pictures. I'm doing a full 'plug' & 'mold' approach to build a fiberglass platform (no wood).

Here is the 'plug' so far . . . it is made of epoxy/fiberglass over EPS foam boards. The ladder hatches are there own separate 'plugs'.

IMG_1885.jpg
 
tpenfield said:
Awesome !!! Thanks for the pictures. No struts . . . who wouldda thunk ?

I would imagine Formula uses fasteners and adhesive sealant on the top, and it looks like a series of bolts underneath. I am surprised to see that it is a full cantilever without supporting struts.

Anybody else got some pictures? The more the better :cool:
Click to expand...

It's very sturdy as well.

I think by having the design cantilever off the main platform and then drop down a few inches, it's actually being suspended against the transom as well as from the top. On the sides, the fiberglass curves downward, so it's probably something of a superstructure. (I'm totally guessing here, but that would be the only explanation as the platform doesn't bounce much and can hold 3-4 adults with no problem.)
 
I put on one from swimplatform ultra this past summer on my 280SS, had them manufacture it a few inches longer than their standard. I was surprised with how light the whole platform was. I went with the one that goes over the existing platform. It was held in place by several large bolts "screwed" (they did not bolt through) the platform, a few tubes of 4200 between the existing platform and the new one, and 3 stainless struts bracing it to the transom. Was about a day to install, finish was good, love how far past the drives it puts the ladder, and the platform is very close to the surface of the water, with 4 people it actually starts to dip under the surface. My only regret is not doing it 3 years ago, kids love it
 
tpenfield said:
The newest ones from Formula have a "swim step" as an option instead of a ladder, which is very similar to the Ford (and GM) step gates.
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The ladder is standard. The "swim step" is a $2k upcharge on the tick-box sheet...but one that's well worth it if you anchor regularly. I'm glad I ordered it.
 

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I got some information from TAG on how the platforms are secured to the boat. So, with that and the pictures posted by Mark, I think I've got my question answered.
 
Quick Updates to this thread. . . because there was some interest in seeing pictures, etc.

I have got the molds for the swim platform and the ladder hatches made . . .
.
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I made the ladder hatches . . . Here are they are in their rough form after having come out of the molds. They are going to need a little rework. I got some color-matched gelcoat from a place on the west coast (USA)

image_310861.jpg

Now I am working on the fiberglass layup for the platform itself. I will be using vacuum resin infusion for the first few layers and probably a combination of vacuum bagging and hand lay-up for the remaining layers and core material.

image_310940.jpg

It has been quite a process and learning curve making the molds and using vacuum infusion for the fiberglass and resin. I hope to be done within about a month so I can be mounting the platform to the boat in time for the seasonal launch in early June.
 
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Here is a rendering of what it is 'supposed' to look like when done and installed.

Before
IMG_0310C.jpg

After
ESP-Mock-up-4.jpg

Hopefully . . .
 
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TurboJoe said:
Are you the person that did the whole stringer cut out and rebuild on your 330 years ago, posted on OSO?
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Maybe . . . I did a stringer rebuild on my 242 in 2012 and then a bulkhead on my 330 in 2014. There was also another guy from the Pittsburgh, PA area that did some similar work on a 330.
 
robcam said:
this is a very serious project!

How did you replace the pyramid non skid surface?
Click to expand...

A company called 'GIBCO' makes/sells the non-skid patterns for many of the major boat lines. However, it was a tad expensive for the amount I needed (would have been $750). I got some pyramid floor runner instead, which was pretty similar to Formula's non-skid pattern. I just sanded the tops of the pattern down a bit to make it more like Formula's pattern.

I'll be working on the platform over the next few days . . . hoping to get it done soon.
 
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