homemade swim platform?

[broke4now]

Hi, i have a 1998 regal 242 and would like just a little more room off the back of the boat.the expense of a swim platform is too high.so i was thinking i could take a sheet of treated plywood 3/4? and lay out the fiberglass mat on it and wet it down good with resin.then gelcoat it for a nice finish.this is somewhat of my plan.if there is any suggestions i would love to have them.i have done some painting before but am new to the fiberglass world.i know ill need another gun but does this sound like a way to go about it.or do you have a more uniform procedure for this sort of thing.thanks in advance!!!!!!!!!

 

[broke4now]

Re: homemade swim platform?

after posting i realize i didnt make myself clear.i am going to cut the plywood down to about 30" and taper the sides with a jig saw to make it have a nice feathered look.not wanting anyone to think i was using the whole thing in a bad redneck way! thanks

 

[tpenfield]

Re: homemade swim platform?

The resin/glass will not adhere to PT wood until it is aged (year+). You could use starboard or even 3/4" exterior plywood as a core.

 

[brunolund]

Re: homemade swim platform?

as above use exterior ply. i made mine out of 3/4 doubled up to 1 1/2, then a layer of glass. filler sanded primed and spray bombed. i dont have any good pics, but ill see what i can find for now.

unfortunately its under my gas tank at the moment, but you can see the edge odf it.

shows width
sorry thats all i got for now, pm me if you would like more.
oh, use a router to round the edges, easy, and way nicer.

 

[broke4now]

Re: homemade swim platform?

Hi, brunolund- from what i can see that looks great!was the 1 1/2 over kill or would the 3/4 be ok?also when you say fiberglassed and spray bombed,how did you keep the fiber glass staying nice and level or did you just pour resin on it?im a little spooked with the matt,i have never been able to make the grass lay good,it was always real rough .and did you use the gel coat or paint it.any how it does look smooth and professional.which is how i want mine to look. thanks again

 

[brunolund]

Re: homemade swim platform?

i just layed it donw on the plywood, and rolled the resin in, it took some working, and a brush to smooth the edges. i did sand the top before painting, but not alot. also used a high build primer.
as far as thickness goes, i think it would look quite thin at only 3/4". mine has zero flex to it, and it came from one 4x8 board, so that helps.
now i have to level mine, as i just followed the original small ladder platform angle. not to good as you can see, but itt works for now.