Dan,
Depends on what type of diving you are into. Diving with just a single alum. 80, The normal platform should be fine. When diving tec. with more then one tank, hammers, chissels, wreck reel, several lights, spare air, you want a wider platform along with a stronger platform. I have a X-Mas tree ladder so you can climb up with your fins on. A wider platform is good so you can turn around, take off your gear. I never liked taking my gear off in teh water then trying to lift my gear up out of the water and onto the boat. Its a real pain.
I would love a full platform bracket or something like this one pictured. Maybe one day in teh future. ;)