PVC Swim Platform

I’ve called this a “swim platform” for clarity but don’t need anything that big. I want to fabricate a simple, sturdy but inexpensive landing at the bottom of my boarding ladder to aid an elderly person in and out of a dinghy. Something about three-foot square would be more than adequate. I was thinking of gluing up some 2-inch PVC pipe with perhaps a cross frame for stiffness, add a plywood surface, and bolt it to the hull at the base of the ladder with stays to the toe rail.

Any ideas regarding design and materials would be helpful.

Bry

 

Any diagram or picture of what you have and what you want to achieve would be not only helpful but essential to give you ideas about it.

 

Thanks TANSL.. something like this...

 

Thanks for the effort, but I'm sorry, I don't feel capable of offering an opinion or advice with all that information.

 

@bcripps will this proposed platform be mounted on the transom in similar fashion to the one shown in the photo above?
If so, do you have a photo that you can post of the transom of your boat?
What make / type of boat is she?

I am thinking that you would probably be better off making the frame for the platform out of S/S or aluminium tube, and instead of bolting it rigidly to the hull, it might be better to have it on hinges so that it can be folded up when not in use? It could have a wire (or dyneema even) stay on each side to support the platform when it is lowered.

 

Thanks bajansailor but fitting it isn’t a problem (it’s an Out Island 41). And ‘yes’ ...fitted to the transom. I’m just trying to determine if a square frame of PVC pipe, about 3’ x 3’ will support the weight of an adult. I’m looking for the size and schedule of PVC pipe necessary to do that.

Much thanks, Bry

 

Cant imagine pvc being a solid choice for this. Several boats ago my plumbing was schedule 80 pvc 3 and 4 inch. Had 2x sketchy issues from crewman stepping into the engine room and pushing off with the pipe. It was painted no step but in a hurry it was to convenient to not use.

Ended up welding up some 316 with flanges for the segment and it could then be used as a step by about any sized mobile human.

A friend had me piece together a set of stairs for side boarding his boat from a raft. It was relatively thin walled stainless pipe and angle with the loading zone and tread plates being frp grate. Was fairly light and very corrosion resistant.

 

Thanks comfisherman. That’s useful information. I assume the section of PVC was unsupported where the guys were stepping. Any idea of the span of unsupported pipe and did the pipe actually fracture?

Bry

 

It was about 18 inches from elbow to elbow and each time sheared off right at the 90 causing a good old panic on a bilge alarm. Sch 80 pvc is pretty beefy until it isn't....

 

Starboard (HDPE) might be a better choice than plywood for longevity and durability. As for PVC . . . you could probably use 1" x 4" PVC trim boards as the under structure, then attach the supports along the sides. Not sure about screw retention of the PVC boards, but should be OK if you use long screws.

Based on what you described, here is what I am imagining . . .


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You will want to think about if/how you want to attach the platform to the stern. Will you want the platform to fold-up out of the way at times, or just be stationary?

 

I don't understand the desire to use pvc pipe. If you're comfortable with glue just epoxy some 2x4 pieces to the underside of the plywood, it's the obvious choice.
Pvc pipe can be used as a former for fiberglass, but in that case the strength of the pvc is irrelevant, the glass takes all the load.

If the goal is simple fabrication you just buy a piece of thick ply, (glue two pieces together if necessary) and a piece of stainless angle iron (1/4 x 3) for the bracket.

 

The reason for PVC pipe was it’s availability here in the tropics, unlike stainless or aluminum. Then the ease of fabrication and a relatively maintenance-free, clean look. Once painted, UV degradation should be reduced. But comfishman’s comment about an 18” unsupported span of sch. 80 PCV fracturing at the fittings has made me second-guess the use of PVC. I guess wood is the safest way to go.

Thanks everyone for the work you put into this thread. It is most appreciated.

Bry