Surf Platform DIY

[Poison]

I just made a similar mod, but I went the HPDE route. Used 1 inch HDPE and the template that 5:00 sent me (I think he said he traced a Craz platform) except I increased the size by 10%. Glued on some B-grade hydroturf. It just finished drying so hopefully I'll get some surf pics this weekend. I had the template printed at FedEx/Kinkos, traced it on the HPDE, cut it with a jigsaw, and had a buddy use a router to bullnose the edges. Original brackets. I think it turned out pretty well. I would have rather had black but it was cost prohibitive...the plastic shop only had white and shipping is killer on these.

It does have some flex to it if I stand on the edge...there just isn't any support from the brackets that far out. I may trim it back a little or try to screw in a piece of square tube. I don't like that diving board feeling but I don't think it will break.

Here it the comparison to the old deck.
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Attached:
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[trayson]

The white looks okay.

[Fastest1]

Has anyone ever just tested with no platform?
I have been curious as to why a hinge isnt used to allow the platform to plane on the surface. It would be odd when stopped or backing up are the only negatives I can think of. A locking latch and or a spring could give choices.


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[aerolland]

We tested mine one evening by taking it completely off. In one word it's HEAVY!

Back if boat is not square so hinges would have to compensate. Certainly need gas struts to help with weight offset. Complicated mechanism to hold the weight of person standing but then be able to lift out if the way.

IMHO, much easier solution to have a smaller footprint platform. That said, as an engineer, I do enjoy a good challenge! I just wanted to spend my time surfing, not in front of the CAD box...

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[Fastest1]

I was thinking the hinges would attach to the existing horizontal brackets, not the transom.
It would be a challenge. I like those.
Gives me a reason for all of those machines in my garage.


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[SorryCharlie]

Some of you guys are so creative, that's totally cool!! Great job!!

[mikenehrkorn]

I have been wanting to do this for some time and hesitated over the material to use. Every project and upgrade I have done so far has been using aluminum, stainless steel and/or starboard - however, starboard in a sheet large enough for a surf deck was real money, plus a 2 hr one-way drive to get it. Not being sure of the shape, performance, etc I wanted to experiment with a few less $$'s invested.

I started out at the SeaDek website looking at their Moomba templates, screen grabbed one from a recent LSV and imported into SolidWorks. Knowing 2 dimensions on their template allowed for a scaled drawing to trace into a solid model - this eliminated the need to drive 2+ hrs to my nearest dealer to sweet talk them into letting me trace a newer surf deck. The next step was to see how many sheets of plywood I would need, hopefully just one. The results were:



The black pen addition was the estimated shape of the pad I planned to cut and install. (still yet to do...)

I used 11/16" A-C sanded plywood, roughly $26 per sheet. Unfortunately I do not have any 'during' photos because I was anxious to get it together and on the boat for trial runs. I did reference some other members designs during the layout process and ultimately changed my dimensions on the fly since I could not get my SW license to behave at the house - no way to snap on the fly dimensions!!!

Basically, the old platform was 69 1/2" wide. The new deck is 56". I could have easily made it an even 60" and it would stay out of the wave but I was unsure while building it. There is not much reason to need that extra 2" per side, but you have enough material to do it.

I used exterior liquid nails to bond the two sheets together, however, if I had it to do over I would have used TightBond II wood glue - would have made for an easier assembly since it's thinner. The assembly was screwed (stainless screws) every 6" in a square layout. Two layers of liquid epoxy were then rolled on all surfaces to keep it water tight. After the first test, the seam began to separate a bit, not sure if the liquid nails was not done bonding (said 24 hrs was 80% strength, 7 days for full cure) or the moisture made the LN swell? Either way, I injected TightBond II in the small seam and clamped overnight - problem solved.



Here is the assembled result:







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What kind of "liquid epoxy" did you use? Any issues with the paint bonding to the epoxy? And how well has it worked so far in protecting the wood from the water?

[aerolland]

What kind of "liquid epoxy" did you use? Any issues with the paint bonding to the epoxy? And how well has it worked so far in protecting the wood from the water?

I sanded the cured epoxy with 120 grit and then painted over. No issues with bonding, however, I do have wear marks from where I strap my daughter's tube down and from where people put wakeboards on. I attribute that wear to no clear coat (I will repaint and clear it this time) and the fact that I have not gotten around to installing a pad yet.

The epoxy has worked perfectly for water protection, the only thing I wish I had done is use TiteBond II wood glue for the lamination. I am thoroughly disappointed in Liquid Nails, a couple areas have began to separate but I have been able to recover them by injecting TightBond in the gap and clamping. When I remake the platform that is one of the items I will do differently.

[bucknsteeler]

I am curious is you did any type of load or strength test before you took it (clearly strong enough to handle a normal guy) out or if you were confident you wouldn't have any problems at all. Looks great though!

[mikenehrkorn]

I'm guessing the brackets or pins give way before two layers of 3/4" plywood would give way