Weight capacity of a 170CC Swim Platform?

[jmuduke]

Ok, after the last couple of posts related to 300 pound guys falling out of their boat and not being able to get back in you have me thinking. I am confident I can pull myself out of the water and I had one added to my 170CC just in case I ever did fall into the water. My question is, "What happens to it when I actually have to use it?" Will it hold 300 pounds or is there a weight limit? I searched the previous posts and could not find any information in them. I also searched the website. Thanks.

[elroy]

jmduke, I'm a slim 280lbs and can stand on my swim platform with no problems. One thing you should do is put a handle on the strap so you can unhook it easily and quickly. After a few outings in salt water I couldn't pull the strap apart without a pair of pliers so I put a carabiner through the strap and I works great and is easy to grab in rough water. Hope this helps.

[cagrove]

Originally Posted by jmuduke

Ok, after the last couple of posts related to 300 pound guys falling out of their boat and not being able to get back in you have me thinking. I am confident I can pull myself out of the water and I had one added to my 170CC just in case I ever did fall into the water. My question is, "What happens to it when I actually have to use it?" Will it hold 300 pounds or is there a weight limit? I searched the previous posts and could not find any information in them. I also searched the website. Thanks.

You've taken a couple of great steps toward safety just by installing the swim platform. But, like any safety item, you need to use it before you need it. Do not wait until it's a life or death situation to find out how or if it works. What I would suggest is to go to the nearest ramp with a friend and actually get in the water (with a PFD, of course), go to the swim platform and try using it to get in the boat. If you can't, no problem, just walk up the ramp. Then fix it so you can get back in. Once you can get back in by yourself, you'll have a newfound confidence in your rig.

To your original question on the weight limit of the platform, mine didn't come with any specs but I'm sure it would hold 400+. Please let us know how you make out.

[rkola]

Chuck,

After a recent trip in which the wife and I finally tried out the removeable ladder that came with our 170DC, it's pretty clear that we need a swim platform. Merritt Marine has one for my boat, and I'll probably be ordering it soon. Was the install difficult? I've looked at the picture you added in the Photo Gallery, and it looks like two screws into the gunwale. I'm also guessing from the pictures on the Triumph site that there are one or two screws on each side at the lower connection point. Did the harware come with the platform, and were these regular screws, togglers, or ??

Thanks for your help,

Ron

[cagrove]

There are two screws that attach at the top...one for each side. There are also three screws that attach the bottom to the boat...just standard stainless screws. I used Rule on all of the screws even though they didn't penetrate the outer hull at any point. It's a very easy install and all hardware was included. Let me know if you need any other assistance or specific pictures...glad to help.

[rkola]

Thanks for the reply. I thought the install looked fairly straight-forward, but wanted to check with someone who had added the swim platform themselves. I appreciate your offer of additional info, and will take you up on it if I run itno problems.

Ron