Had the shake down cruise Saturday........

[mauryc]

....and yes, I forgot to take pics. Put the boat in the intercoastal fot the first time. Note to self: route the steering cable the right way in the helm. Its nice for the boat to turn left when you turn the wheel left! Knew something was amiss coming off the trailer. Had a 1/2" socket in the boat so I had the problem corrected in 5 minutes. Motor (175' Johnson) ran like a sewing machine hooked up to a fresh 6 gal. tank of fuel mix with a can of sea foam in it. Ran about 4 gallons through it when my daughter decided she wanted to go swimming. Shut her down for a while and when I restarted it there was a miss. Couldn't get it to smooth out so I put her back on the trailer. I replaced the plugs and made up 6 new plug wires over lunch thinking this would solve the problem. Launched her again in the afternoon, but the miss was still present. Will drop her off to get the carbs cleaned with new kits this week. Should have her back in the water Friday for round three. I'll bring the camera this time. Everything else went very smoothly. The tach came and went but that's not a pressing issue now. Lastly, I've got to get a ladder to get my 6 year old back in the boat. I wore myself out pulling her back in! :)

[reelapeelin]

I've got an "over-the -side" boarding ladder that hasn't been used in years ... if you wanna pay shippin', it's yours ... but to tell you the truth, you'd be better to go ahead and spend that shippin' money toward a swim-platform ... good money spent for LOTS of reasons...here's the one I got YEARS ago...this actually ain't a bad price

http://www.westmarine.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/producte/10001/-1/10001/157152/0/0/swim%20platform/All_2/mode+matchallpartial/0/0

This will mount port or starboard side...let me know about the ladder ;) ...

[mauryc]

Reel, your probably right. I just didn't need the expense of the swim platform right now with all the other $$ I'm spending on the boat to get her ready. Gotta think the carb rebuilding will run at least $300 with kits and labor. Are the over the side ladders to difficult to use? I don't want to hear my wife and daughter complaining the whole time we're out!

[reelapeelin]

Once you got 'em in place, it's probably easier to use than a platform ... storin' it between use is the only down-side ...

[Pipe_Dream]

The over-the-side ladders are okay, but as the gunwales on the V-20 are a little higher than some 20 footers they can still be difficult to climb.

The swim platform is much better IMHO, especially if you learn from my mistake and get one with a telescoping ladder. My platform came with only one step, but after using it (barely) once I replaced the one-step with a telescoping 3-step. It makes boarding sooo much easier.

[rb437]

I removed the single step ladder and replaced it with a telescoping douyble step. Also added a handle just above the rub rail. Works real well.

http://i152.photobucket.com/albums/s179/rb437/IMG_1737.jpg

[reelapeelin]

YEAH!!...like that telescopin' ladder ya'll got ... where'd that come from?... 8) ...

[msbhammer]

No way, go with the Family size platform and ladder. ;)


http://i47.photobucket.com/albums/f153/msbhammer/DSC02664.jpg

[macojoe]

Keep at it flounder you will get there!!

As for the ladder get the 3 step they speak of, I keep saying I am goingto gte one, just never seem to have the cash?

I uase to have a over the side ladder and it worked great! But like stated it is a pain to store. The handles do fold so it ifs flat which makes it easier.

[Gator_Bait]

I just picked up a 3 step telescoping at Boater's World for $119. The Screw holes are a little narrower than the single step on the platform so I am trying to figure out how to brace it. Tracking down stainless is a pain it seems but I can get some 2" wide aluminum @ Lowe's or Home Depot that I think would work just as well so I will likely go that route. I only got in the water once so far and it was a workout pulling my fat arse up on that single step! ;D

[Pipe_Dream]

"It ain't the meat, it's the motion." ;D

I might have an extra 10 pounds I'm carrying around, but I don't think that is necessarily the problem with a one-stepper. The thing is, in order to not drag in the water coming up on plane, the platform needs to be several inches above the waterline to begin with. So by the time I plant my foot on the step, I'm already falling backward -- it just didn't work for me. In contrast, the 3-step is really nice.

[reelapeelin]

"It ain't the meat, it's the motion." ;D

I might have an extra 10 pounds I'm carrying around, but I don't think that is necessarily the problem with a one-stepper. The thing is, in order to not drag in the water coming up on plane, the platform needs to be several inches above the waterline to begin with. So by the time I plant my foot on the step, I'm already falling backward -- it just didn't work for me. In contrast, the 3-step is really nice.



Pipe, how does it attach to the platform and fold up after it telescopes in?...

[Pipe_Dream]

Pipe, how does it attach to the platform and fold up after it telescopes in?...
It's bolted on where the original one-step was. I'll try to ride up there this evening and take pictures.

[reelapeelin]

It's bolted on where the original one-step was. I'll try to ride up there this evening and take pictures.



:-* ...

[macojoe]

Can I make a starboard ladder??

[phatdaddy]

http://i40.photobucket.com/albums/e203/ffatdaddy/POL_0320.jpg

3 step down

http://i40.photobucket.com/albums/e203/ffatdaddy/POL_0344.jpg

3 step folded

[Gator_Bait]

Phatdaddy:

Did you use any kind of backing plates under those ladder brackets? Looks great! Hopefully mine will get installed this weekend ;D

[macojoe]

I would use some alum plate, or Alum angle to suport it.


I won't need any as I am adding mine to this

http://syncboard.com/albums/Boat-Tackle-Box/23_G.jpg

[Gator_Bait]

Great thanks MJ!

That Stainless bracket is sweet! That makes a nice platform! ;D

[reelapeelin]

Thanks for the pix, Phat 8) ... looks great, fits perfect ... can you give me back to front measurement?...



MJ...one of those'll look great on your bracket ;) ... will you go off the back or side mount?...

[macojoe]

I think i will go off the side??

Off the back would be nice as boat won't tip when getting in.

But there is more room on the side.

[Pipe_Dream]

Finally got a few pics of the swim platform yesterday -- better late than never, right?
http://i81.photobucket.com/albums/j228/4MyDogs/Wellcraft/P6131134.jpg

http://i81.photobucket.com/albums/j228/4MyDogs/Wellcraft/P6131131.jpg

[phatdaddy]

RAP, not sure of the measurement you need, the platform is 15" deep and the ladder is 15" deep when folded, but it hangs over the edge 1.5"s.

Gator, i used some large fender washers. if i were to doit again, i would rather use some large pieces of teak and get longer bolts.

The drawbacks to this ladder is they are kinda narrow(you can see where the old one step was bolted on) and when boading with fins, you have to take them off. Also when you are achored in shallow water and the step is down, it will dig in the sand when the boat rocks and weaken the platform. that is why i have the velcro strap, to hold it together when not needed.

[mauryc]

Is a two step a good compromise?

[lumberslinger178]

mines a one step and Iam 290 lbs and I have no problem gettin in and out ..... the platform is supposed to be 4 to 6 inches from water....

[macojoe]

mines a one step and Iam 290 lbs and I have no problem gettin in and out ..... the platform is supposed to be 4 to 6 inches from water....

I am 324 # I hope it can hold me?? :o

[lumberslinger178]

I am 324 # *I hope it can hold me?? :o


damn mj but i think it will...lol

[macojoe]

d**n mj but i think it will...lol

:'(

[mauryc]

Damn, you guys are some big dudes!!

[phatdaddy]

flounder, i would stay with the 3 step, its really nice to be able to stand up and"walk" up to the platform.

lumber, with dive gear on the one step is too short , you have you knees up around your chin when you try to pull yourself up and you have no leverage.

[reelapeelin]

Thanks for the measurements, Phat ...that 3-stepper works good on yours AND Pipe Dream's, so there oughtta be room on mine ... I'll have to measure :) ...

"Fins-On" boarding ladders are what Hammer's got on his (open sides) :D ...