XLV custom Surf platform.

[trayson]

So, I've been finding that my platform is cutting into my surf wave and the lip on the bottom is robbing me of push. I had the same problem on my Supra and made a custom platform for it.

This time I had more flexibility as there were only 2 platform brackets to deal with. I chose to make it out of black 3/4" HDPE. I was able to source some for $130 shipped. I then ordered some royal blue diamondd cut Hydroturf for padding. ($40 + $18 shipping for supposedly B stock but aside from some smudges on one corner that I cut off, it looked great to me). I went on Amazon and ordered the good contact cement that's made from the original nasty chemicals. ($14 shipped on Amazon)

I decided to go with 54" wide so the platform is about the width of my transom tie down loops. At the tip, I went with 44". I came straight out 14" and then angled inward. the platform is 24" deep, so there's a right triangle cut out that's 5 and 10" on the respective sides.

This was pretty easy to cut using my chop saw. Another harbor freight purchase put to good use.




I had a pair of 12" stainless steel grab handles that I'd intended on using for my Supra but never got around to it. I decided to put these to use on the new platform. Something to grab onto when you're in the water after a run is kinda nice.

to mount the handles, I drilled a hole so I could access the nut on the end of the threaded bolt that was part of the handle. I just drilled a hole and enlarged it as necessary with my jig saw. I didn't care too much about the looks of it as it's going to be covered with the padding.