PROP GUARD or SWIM PLATFORM??

[mfeuerst]

I recently purchase my first boat. The second time I take out my friends, one slashes their leg on the propeller and gets taken to the hospital. This is after i told them multiple times night to jump off to the side of the boat, not the middle.

After that episode, i don't want that to happen again. I was lookingfor Prop guard and/or swim platform. The boat i have is a 1999 Sea Ray 210br 21ft.

I was hoping I can get some pro's and cons about both.

Some of my questions include:

What is the price for both?

Where can I buy a guard or platform?

Do each one effect the performance of my Boat? I don't want to go slower

I boat on a shallow lake called Fox Lake in IL, should i be worried about bending the prop guard into my propeller?

Any info will be very much APPRECIATED!

Thanks,

Mike

 

[scooper77515]

Re: PROP GUARD or SWIM PLATFORM??

I have been looking at swim platform additions, as well. I just posted to keep this subscribed to see what answers you get.

 

[BonairII]

Re: PROP GUARD or SWIM PLATFORM??

I vote for you to find friends that know what it means to follow the rules of the boat.

If that is not an option....make them chip in to pay for a swim platform/prop guard. If it were me, I'd be damned if I had to provide the boat AND pay for things to keep my absent minded friends from hurting themselves. JMO

 

[oldjeep]

Re: PROP GUARD or SWIM PLATFORM??

Friends with a brain would be my vote. Even with a swim platform it is still easy to hit the prop if you are jumping off over it.

 

[Drowned Rat]

Re: PROP GUARD or SWIM PLATFORM??

The swim platform is the more expensive option by far,(your boat guessing around $1200 installed) but they are really sweet. Greatly enhances the usability and safety of the boat if you like getting in the water. My swim platform add on extends completely out over the prop even with it tilted all the way up. There is no chance of someone jumping in the water and hitting it.

Here is my Sea Ray 176, the prop sits from the stern about 1/4 the distance of the width of the platform.

 

[26aftcab454]

Re: PROP GUARD or SWIM PLATFORM??

before you leave the dock with "NEWBIES" the Capitan should have a the safety briefing reviewing requirements and what to do and not do. I always raise the outdrive and ask them " What happens if you jump onto that?" . Tell them about life jackets, throwable devices, ect....A swim platform is the way to go.

 

[H20Rat]

Re: PROP GUARD or SWIM PLATFORM??

Swim platforms add value as well as lots of functionality. As the poster above mentioned, there is ZERO chance of jumping into the prop, its simply not possible. I've installed a couple, they are a fairly big pain in the stern, so if you have a local place willing to install them for a reasonable cost, its worth it.

 

[LippCJ7]

Re: PROP GUARD or SWIM PLATFORM??

I have at least 10 friends that have boats with swim platforms and I have yet to see a prop guard....on any boat, I think you get the idea.

I don't want to be harsh but I agree with the others that said if you had some idiot disobeying the rules of the Captain hurt themselves they can find another boat, you will not disobey my orders twice on my boat, PERIOD. This is no joke, its your boat I don't care if they are friends or kids of friends, its my boat obey the rules or get off MY BOAT.

 

[rallyart]

Re: PROP GUARD or SWIM PLATFORM??

A prop guard is usually not very efficient and the benefits of a swim platform are many. Of course the best bet is to just get an inboard, but that costs quite a bit more than a nice platform.

 

[southkogs]

Re: PROP GUARD or SWIM PLATFORM??

I would recommend a swim platform over a prop guard - but you can also make a "no jumping" rule and get a ladder to hang over the side. Ladder is considerably less expensive.

 

[Mi duckdown]

Re: PROP GUARD or SWIM PLATFORM??

This is after i told them multiple times night to jump off to the side of the boat, not the middle.
You should be in control. Enough said . You Should be in charge.

 

[Mason78]

Re: PROP GUARD or SWIM PLATFORM??

I would go for the swim platform. My boat has an integrated platform but it does not come out all the way past the prop. I have a 6 year old who loves to jump in the water and I'm always afraid she will slip and fall onto the prop.

I am researching my next boat and an extended swim platform is on my must-have list.

 

[choppywaters]

Re: PROP GUARD or SWIM PLATFORM??

I agree with everyone about your friends using their brain but things happen. My Brother in Law dove off the back while we were driving our first time out! I wasn't impressed and I let him know. As far as your question, my vote is for the platform for a few reasons. First, it is safer than a prop guard (I don't know what a prop guard looks like but I assume it just goes around the prop.) where as the platform covers a larger area. But with some platforms, with the outdrive up you still run the risk of hitting the prop. Second, the platform has multiple uses. You can obviously sit on it (while parked,lol) you can strap a cooler, tube or whatever down to it freeing up more interior space. Lastly, I would think it would increase the resale value over the other option. Ive seen them on line and locally from 1500-2100.00.

 

[MAXXIE]

Re: PROP GUARD or SWIM PLATFORM??

One question I have is, Why is the prop spinning with people in the water so close to the boat in the first place? I have a small swim deck that came on the boat when new. When anyone in getting in or out of the water I either shut the engine off or shift into N.

 

[H20Rat]

Re: PROP GUARD or SWIM PLATFORM??

One question I have is, Why is the prop spinning with people in the water so close to the boat in the first place? I have a small swim deck that came on the boat when new. When anyone in getting in or out of the water I either shut the engine off or shift into N.

he didn't say it was spinning... I'm assuming it wasn't in fact, this story would be much worse if it was. The outdrive by itself will slice and dice if you jump on it when the engine isn't running.

 

[drrpm]

Re: PROP GUARD or SWIM PLATFORM??

Swim platforms are nice. I wish I had thought more about them before I got my boat, but its still pretty good without one. Accidents happen, but you've got to be some kind of a moron to jump on a prop after being told not to jump off the back where there is obviously a large metal protrusion.

 

[haulnazz15]

Re: PROP GUARD or SWIM PLATFORM??

I'll pile on. Your friend got what he deserved because he disregarded your instructions. The swim platform is the only option I would consider. In the mean time, you could always leave your outdrive in the full up position so that they could see the prop/skeg before they jumped. However, $1K is pretty expensive for an accessory that you are getting because your friends don't listen well.

 

[ziggy]

Re: PROP GUARD or SWIM PLATFORM??

i'm with the guys that says

I vote for you to find friends that know what it means to follow the rules of the boat.

good grief. the prop is sharp and like a knife. sounds like ya told the friends that and what to do. what don't folks understand...
on the other hand. now that your friends have been to the hosp. for some stitching. my guess is they won't tangle with the drive again. maybe. :facepalm:

i'd think a prop guard of any kind would interfere with the operation of the prop to some degree. so if ya gotta modify, a swim platform would be best, imho.
sure is a large expense though just because folks won't listen to the captain...

 

[mfeuerst]

Re: PROP GUARD or SWIM PLATFORM??

@ EVERYONE

Thanks for the responses and Your input.

All of you are right, if my my dumb friends can't respect the rules then they can find another friend with a boat. Funny thing is, I co own the boat with my best friend, the person who hurt herself was his wife!! The dumb broad was on the boat the day before, and even then we were yelling at people to jump off the sides.. Women......

Either way we will probably buy a swim platform.. It's safe and they look great. I went to swimplatform.com, and they sent me a quote for 1300 not installed. It's pricey, but I think it's well worth it. I won't do the prop guard bc I boat on fox lake, il. For those of you familiar with this lake, it's shallow as hell and the guard will probably get messed up..

Thanks for the help!!
Mike

 

[mfeuerst]

Re: PROP GUARD or SWIM PLATFORM??

The engine wasn't on an the prop wasn't spinning.. I was tied up on a sandbar with other boats. And I was in in control of the situation. I cant physically control how people get off the boat, I can only tell them how. We're all adults, if they act like stupid kids, I can't control that. Please no lectures.....