The swim deck jumps the shark. Mount it permanently on the lower mounts a foot above the water line and use ladders, curve the outside corners, make it out of mesh, do ANYTHING other than think you can lower and raise it when needed in the manner you have built there. On a lighter note, you gotta build a slide on the top deck...
I’m all for this build, but why engine boxes? All they’re going to do is starve your motors for cool air and keep you from easily getting into the engine cowls for troubleshooting and maintenance. Aside from a very few boutique center consoles, you’ll be the only one with engine boxes. The only reason why those have them if for an aft sun pad area.
Also, neither the boat nor the water will be dead stable, with people moving, waves around, getting 4 pegs into 4 small holes will be almost impossible
for real, chris is way overthinking something so simple. Bro's trying to re invent the swim platform. So are four people going to have to jump into the water each time you move the platform?
The black soot on the welds is likely due to lack of sufficient shield gas. When mig welding aluminum, a push instead of drag/pull will result in better shield gas and better welds.
If the swim deck has 300lb of buoyancy, how will you get it under the water to put it into the receivers? Also the buoyancy will wedge it into position once it is under the water so you won’t be able to pull it out.
Might want to re think the whole moving of the swim platform. As someone who boats often there are always going to be unforeseen situations. Like your anchor begins dragging and you have to get everyone out of the water. Now you have this big platform in front of your motors. This is a big boat and things can happen quickly. To me it’s too much do a hydraulic lift. Or leave it stationary and build two sets of ladders that have 5 or 6 steps that fold down off each side of the boat. You can even curve them out a bit to make getting out easier.
When I first saw you making those brackets I thought you were going to hinge it below the bottom step and then all you would have to do is put a couple loops/d rings on the back edge that can attach at the top of the engine box or truss. But no you went the most complicated and hardest route possible 😂😂😂. Please hinge it lol. Love the vids guys! Can’t wait to see this one finished!
i cant understand what your describing and how it would work, if you see this comment plz email me a quick sketch.. im curious how this would work and im always open to suggestions! chris@bisforbuild.com
I would suggest big handrail loops on either side , gives you rails for the steps and a handle to move the deck back and forth. also don't forget to add some pins so you don't loose your swim deck on the move. looking forward to seeing it in the water , great work
Need to seriously round or pad the corners of the swim deck. If someone is hanging on or swimming towards when a wave hits those corners could really hurt someone. Good rule of boats, less sharp and pointy = good
How to never get hurt… Avoid everything and stay in bed. Life comes with risk, take it or leave it. Anyone with a little common sense will avoid the corners
My biggest concerns would be venting. Making sure those boxes and swim platform don’t trap either raw gas fumes (explosive) or carbon monoxide from running engines (potentially deadly for swimmers).
Be sure to have a well stocked first aid kit within easy reach for the guys lowering and raising the swim deck. That thing's going to have some victims for sure 😄
Since you have redesign of the engine compartment, it would be better to extend the fencing thing till the end of the boat (on either side of the engine compartment) to prevent anyone from falling in the water while going to the swim deck. This might restrict you from laying down on the floor & pulling the swim deck. Maybe you could try adding an inverted 'U' shape hand rail on the swim deck next to the stairs, which could also be used as a handle to assist with moving the swim deck.
I have not read through all of the comments so this may be redundant, but you expect 300 pounds of buoyancy on the swim platform. That would mean that you would need 300 pounds of down pressure to get it below the surface of the water and into the lower receivers and you also have 300 pounds Popping to the surface if you’re able to get it out of the receivers with that much upward force being placed on it. The only way I see your system working is if the platform is a grate and can rise and lower in the water without any flotation and minimal resistance. Love your content. Thanks for the videos. Peace
I had that same thought, that thing is going to be either impossible or a huge pain in the ass to move around. I hope they choose the right kind of foam so it doesn't just get waterlogged immediately. There are so many things about this build that make me think that will never work and/or that is going to seriously injure someone. Feeling sturdy enough with 2 guys bouncing on it does not mean it is going to withstand traveling 30mph over rough waves with 10 people upstairs. I'm really only continuing to watch this series to watch the disaster unfold.
I'd want, quarter and hand rails, Is he planning on guard rails around the boat ? Not heard or seen that talked about yet. I think you got to have rhe steps built on the platform, so you can add a track, rail, gear or electric motor to raise and lower the platform on both sides, manually just be to hard in current design. Definitely need to have a few step ladders than can either be removed or permanently, so people can get in and out of the water, if no platform is used. People Definitely like shade out on the lake, ect. I thought this video was gonna be, all the furniture installed.
Perhaps railings on the left and right side of the deck to substitute for straps. Possibly continue the railing with the same height as the rest of the boat if there were railings along the sides. This way it's uniform when it's in the highest position and then when it drops down low, it's additional support utilizing the steps.
Yupp at 32:33 put leaver arms on that back end of the stern of the poontunes back ,,, that area during dramatic waves and tidele surge will move that tye strap system all different directions then. STRAIGHT INN, lever arms
Think about handrail on both outsides of the swim platform to lift it and lower. It will allow you to push it down in the water when placing it in swimming mode... Just a thought.
For 50 years boats have had telescoping swim ladders. Permanently mount the swim deck high and throw a couple folding or telescopic ladders on both sides
Can’t wait for when you’re going down the river and you have the motors trimmed and you go to turn and those props cut right through those side pontoons!!
Dont worry about Sema keep building things like this and Sema will come to you! As far as cool creative things go anyways! Put the swim deck on a hing with a pull out pin of some sort on spring going to other side
Articulated Hinges!! A UA-camr (Fanatik Builds) put a Chevy V8 in a Triumph GT6. In order to get the hood to open (it tilts forward) and clear the new engine and mechanicals, he designed and fabricated a pair of articulated hinges that work amazingly well. You might want to check this out as a solution to raising and lowering the swim deck.
To help with manoeuvring the swim deck you could either weld or pin railings to port and starboard of the swim platform itself, like the staples (removable rails) you see on some yachts. Means you could probably do away with the straps. If you do it right you could even use the railing/staples to pin the platform to the diagonal support rail that's still to be put in. Also would look more finished and give a little 'safety' rail on the platform. Edit: actually, thinking about it some more you could probably hinge the staple/railing so it could serve double duty as a boarding ladder.
The moment something is difficult or a nuisance to accomplish, like changing that platform position, it will simply not get done. That's just common sense. The way that platform is, it will never get lowered.
Idea- Instead of straps in those locations, how about rods with key loops on the end so you have a little more control. They could even lay down into the deck when not in use.
Or just have side railings like the rest of the boat. And then you have a sturdy metal instead of straps to handle them, even if you need to push them down into the water.
You'd be better off with a removable trampoline setup like you'd see on a catamaran. It'd be easy to flip vertical for mooring/storage. Easy to remove for engine maintenance. Far more lightweight.
You could put a travel channel for the 4 inserts to slide on between the top and bottom sets of holes. Also adding handrails to the sides of the swim platform will make using the stairs safer and make it easier to raise and lower without even using straps. The handrail can also be extended downwards and steps can be added so when its in the water, it drops the ladder portion below the surface
Genuinely asking, @bisforbuild. Why does the swim deck need to change positions? I haven't noticed that on any boats when I've gone wakesurfing. But maybe I missed something?
Look at a NAUTIQUE G23 or G25 from 2013-2018 removable swim deck and how they built it-- it would be your solution to have this locked in place while cruising in the water
Could modify and mount a high lift jack in the center of swim deck and have a couple guide rails on the ends. Move the steps to the swim deck. Then you could operate the jack from swim deck. Put a couple holes in the guide rails for pins to hold swim deck in place.
I think the swim deck will cause steering issues. For example when pulling away from a dock. Anything more than a slight angle you will hit the back on the dock or anything ur close to. Why not make tracks for it to slide out and out a canter lever square tube with a manual crank to raise and lower via cables some type of guide
Ditch the straps and build a lightweight (P...and backwards P...shaped) railing on each side of the platform to act as a handle to lift it and also give swimmers something to grab onto while getting out of the water. Love the channel BTW!
my first thought when you said the swim deck would raise and lower was a four bar mechanism or some kind of mechanical linkage system but i would have no idea where to start with it.... great now i going to try and figure this out LOL
Using variable height stairs ment for stage risers might be a cool idea, the steps always stay level- so I’m sure there is a way to attach a platform and automate the movement. Maybe replace the square tubing with something solid and/or add a thin main “mover” part inbetween the engines and use the stairs only to keep the platform level width wise.
it's diminishing returns for boats, he could have 1,000 hp and it would only be slightly faster. outside of putting in some big jet drives this barge is going to be very slow
@@seanthompson6720maybe not too slow. A Playcraft pontoon boat broke 100 mph on Lake of the Ozarks not too long ago. Anyone who hangs out on Lake Havasu has seen tooners regularly hit 65 miles an hour.
There's a pontoon boat where I'm at in the inlet to Ocean we see fly by 50+ if not faster. I've seen 3 450hp on a tritoon and seen more powerful ones in boat shows
@@rockdaddio69 how big is that boat? this pontoon boat is a massive double decker with a hot tub and a head, also with the pontoons extending past the propellers this boat with not want to get on plane no matter how much power you put in it
Looking good. Be prepared for a lot of high velocity water spray off the outer pontoons to bombard the motors. Older motor covers become less water tight as they age. May have to figure out some deflectors. Trust me it’s a lot of spray.
I don't know how to explain what I'm thinking but using a manual gear on a pivot point. The gear when cranked say forward would move the deck out from the receivers. Then the pivot point or switch would angle another gear which would move the platform upwards. Now, reversing the crank from forward to backward, the platform moves inward towards the boat. Flup the switch at the pivot point and now it can slide into the upper receiver. I don't know if that made sense but it does in my head!😅
Put drain holes in those steps! Water will absolutely find it's way in there. I'd have just left the bottom of those open. And having the telescoping square tubes actually fit correctly after welding, water temp changes while on the water is gonna be a nightmare. You'll have to remove a lot of aluminum to prevent an interference fit right when you didn't want it. Nm..... You found out.
I love your show! I love the creativity however, as a boater and licensed captain....your swim deck is stupid, dangerous and someone is going to get hurt. If you want to sell these boats, you need a redesign. There is a reason super yachts use hydraulics to open and close the "garage doors" I appreciate the desire to simplify the design...but I have one question...."do you think drunk people could handle this operation safely?" Also, Bennet Marine makes hydraulic trim tabs with plastic rams. Low power and small package and different sizes. Might be a cheap and safer solution to be adapted. Also, I think Lenco makes electric rams an all in one solution. Both are simple reliable and designed for the marine environment. Again, I love your show and would love to see you succeed safely.
So you can make steps on the two end sides and have the motors at optimal. Those outboard motors should not covered in my opinion. Outboard is out and inboard is that for reasons.
This boat better have the Guinness Record for largest first aid kit and an even bigger liability insurance policy. Might as well epoxy coat the floors with broken glass and rusty nails while you are at it. The number of sharp edges and blunt corners on this boat is simply horrifying.
You need handles inset on the deck. Have a cutout on the upper skin with a curved bottom. Use round aluminum bar inside the cutout. 2 on each side. People should be able to walk right over without an issue and it will make it much easier to handle.
Instead of having the stairs on the boat, put the stairs on the swim deck. That way, as you raise and lower, you just have the stairs raise with the swim deck. Otherwise, notch out the swim deck so that the swim deck doesn't matter about the stairs .
A step built onto the actual deck and vertical sliding guides with dowel pins at the two required heights might have been easier to build? Can't wait to see it all finished and on the water.
Straps? No. Do you know wtf a hinge is? A handle on the deck some springs and you could just raise and lower the deck into place. Also why not install some sort of roller assistance with the swim deck? You could use something as cheap as rollerblade wheels. That way there's less struggle getting the deck in place. All this time, money and energy and you're relying on essentially slave labor to deploy your swim deck lol.
This is a comment I've been looking for, It makes zero sense to manually put the swim deck in place when a hinge system could work better or with how complex the build is already to just control it hydraulically.
Hi, in no way am I criticizing your build, just adding some food for thought based upon my experience with aluminium. If I were doing it I would drill holes in the bottoms/sides of the step boxes. Reason, the water will exert an upwards force/slap the boxes, this will cause the aluminium to work harden crack and fail, especially if the boxes become heavy with water ingress. You also mentioned in previous videos that you wanted to get the boat of the plane, if the boxes touch the water line during plaining the boxes will act as a fulcrum point for the boat and even more upwards pressure will be applied without any chance of relief.
Can’t wait to see this in the water. You should see if whatever company ships the boat will drive it across the scales. I want to know how much it weighs
I think with the removable swim deck, I’m not sure if it’s possible but on the outer side of the slots, it may be a good idea to make some form of wedge that helps guide that deck into those channels while using the straps.
Why not put upright round bars that are welded to the outside of the swim deck closest to the boat. You’ll have a “handrail” and a way to maneuver the deck in and out. That way it’s rigid and you don’t have to fight floppy straps.
I would highly recommend that you cut hole or groves in the deck to cut the weight down and allow any water on the deck to drain out while lifting and entering the water. I am also surprised you didn’t look into a locking slide/scissor lift system with springs to help raise it when done.
"I've come too far to admit this is a dumb idea" B is for Based. I'm very much enjoying watching your development process. I'd probably add a couple of handrails for the stairs that double as davits for lifting the swim deck with straps.
Hey Chris; check the cantilever dingy davits they use on sailing catamarans. They use a rope to a winch which you could secure to your top deck. Love the project and the show!
@BisforBuild to make raising the swim deck easier, add hand rails like you find on swimming pool stairs/ladders on either side of the platform. It will give a safety rail for swimmers and will give you a permanent “strap” to raise and lower the platform. Just a thought
To keep it from coming off the boat maybe notch it out where the stairs are and put it on a vertical rail then you can raise and lower it to any level you need just another idea. Love the content!
an opinion of a long time boat owner a movable swim platform seams like a nightmare just attach it above the water and make a bracket that supports a swim lader Armstrong makes these buy one or make your one stow the lader when non in use. why move a whole platform when you can just move the lader
Well done progressing nicely! How about using the straps as also a hold in strap to stop it floating out or being lost when motoring along? Or have a hinge and a cantilever bar which can fix back to that new diagonal bar to tie into the top deck. Hinged at the joint on the stern of the boat and the bathing deck, with the strap on the top and use the hinged bar to lower the bathing platform either side. If you like a davit system to make it easier to lift and deploy. I’m sure you can work it out neatly. 👍 anyone agree? 👍 😉
Straps look sketchy, even more so after a few beers. Simple solution if your short on build time, mount the swim platform where it is at the end of this video & have 2 folding ladders off the swim deck either side to get in & out of the water. Or have the platform connected to a spring loaded vertical track where you installed the steps on the stern of the pontoons so it can lowered by a persons weight standing on it lock it in place with pins.
I recommend using the same D-rings you used in the front for the Hot Tub. Then you can use basically dog leashes as straps. Instead of a foothold, why not weld on some basic aluminum square tube as a basic ladder on each rear corner? Can weld it on to the upper cross tube and the pontoon. :)
The swim deck receivers seems like a bad idea, moving the deck while on the water is going to be difficult. You should have the deck on hinged arms that allow it to swing and float on the water.
Swim platform needs a rethink
Yup, any wave hitting that is going to transfer the full force into the platform and it wont survive long.
The swim deck jumps the shark.
Mount it permanently on the lower mounts a foot above the water line and use ladders, curve the outside corners, make it out of mesh, do ANYTHING other than think you can lower and raise it when needed in the manner you have built there.
On a lighter note, you gotta build a slide on the top deck...
Hey Chris, you may consider some pins that go through the receivers for the swim deck, so it can't come free from the boat on its own.
also add some flotation and a chain so you will not lose the deck while you are on the water, so it will not sink or get lost
I’m all for this build, but why engine boxes? All they’re going to do is starve your motors for cool air and keep you from easily getting into the engine cowls for troubleshooting and maintenance. Aside from a very few boutique center consoles, you’ll be the only one with engine boxes. The only reason why those have them if for an aft sun pad area.
Good point about thecool air. The engine boxes should be vented to allow hot air out the top and cool air in from the bottom.
Make the swim deck permanent position and add a retractable latter to get out of the water.
Thats how all boats have it
Agreed! Bolt it on securely low enough to the water surface so even the ladder is unnecessary. People will genuinely be able to swim right onto it.
Exactly what I was thinking. You can buy bolt on swim step ladders. A movable platform is not worth the trouble.
Also, neither the boat nor the water will be dead stable, with people moving, waves around, getting 4 pegs into 4 small holes will be almost impossible
for real, chris is way overthinking something so simple. Bro's trying to re invent the swim platform. So are four people going to have to jump into the water each time you move the platform?
The black soot on the welds is likely due to lack of sufficient shield gas. When mig welding aluminum, a push instead of drag/pull will result in better shield gas and better welds.
If the swim deck has 300lb of buoyancy, how will you get it under the water to put it into the receivers? Also the buoyancy will wedge it into position once it is under the water so you won’t be able to pull it out.
have someone stand on it to balance it out? Where theres a will theres a way!
I was looking for this comment, since I was thinking the same thing.
Exactly what I was thinking
Me too
Everyone has a fat friend. Make them be useful.
Might want to re think the whole moving of the swim platform. As someone who boats often there are always going to be unforeseen situations. Like your anchor begins dragging and you have to get everyone out of the water. Now you have this big platform in front of your motors. This is a big boat and things can happen quickly. To me it’s too much do a hydraulic lift. Or leave it stationary and build two sets of ladders that have 5 or 6 steps that fold down off each side of the boat. You can even curve them out a bit to make getting out easier.
When I first saw you making those brackets I thought you were going to hinge it below the bottom step and then all you would have to do is put a couple loops/d rings on the back edge that can attach at the top of the engine box or truss. But no you went the most complicated and hardest route possible 😂😂😂. Please hinge it lol. Love the vids guys! Can’t wait to see this one finished!
Use part of the 2 outer pontoons as your gas tanks.
lol it’s not B is for Build if it’s not a challenge 😂😂
i cant understand what your describing and how it would work, if you see this comment plz email me a quick sketch.. im curious how this would work and im always open to suggestions! chris@bisforbuild.com
@@BisforBuild I gotch you brother. I’ll try and sketch it out for you and get it over to you tonight or in the morning.
So like a tailgate yeah?
I think a slide would be a nice touch!
I would suggest big handrail loops on either side , gives you rails for the steps and a handle to move the deck back and forth. also don't forget to add some pins so you don't loose your swim deck on the move. looking forward to seeing it in the water , great work
Most pontoon boats have side boarding with a removable ladder and a deck gate.
Need to seriously round or pad the corners of the swim deck. If someone is hanging on or swimming towards when a wave hits those corners could really hurt someone. Good rule of boats, less sharp and pointy = good
How to never get hurt… Avoid everything and stay in bed. Life comes with risk, take it or leave it. Anyone with a little common sense will avoid the corners
Personally I would have use tube instead of square stock
My biggest concerns would be venting. Making sure those boxes and swim platform don’t trap either raw gas fumes (explosive) or carbon monoxide from running engines (potentially deadly for swimmers).
Be sure to have a well stocked first aid kit within easy reach for the guys lowering and raising the swim deck. That thing's going to have some victims for sure 😄
Since you have redesign of the engine compartment, it would be better to extend the fencing thing till the end of the boat (on either side of the engine compartment) to prevent anyone from falling in the water while going to the swim deck.
This might restrict you from laying down on the floor & pulling the swim deck. Maybe you could try adding an inverted 'U' shape hand rail on the swim deck next to the stairs, which could also be used as a handle to assist with moving the swim deck.
I have not read through all of the comments so this may be redundant, but you expect 300 pounds of buoyancy on the swim platform. That would mean that you would need 300 pounds of down pressure to get it below the surface of the water and into the lower receivers and you also have 300 pounds Popping to the surface if you’re able to get it out of the receivers with that much upward force being placed on it. The only way I see your system working is if the platform is a grate and can rise and lower in the water without any flotation and minimal resistance. Love your content. Thanks for the videos. Peace
I had that same thought, that thing is going to be either impossible or a huge pain in the ass to move around. I hope they choose the right kind of foam so it doesn't just get waterlogged immediately. There are so many things about this build that make me think that will never work and/or that is going to seriously injure someone. Feeling sturdy enough with 2 guys bouncing on it does not mean it is going to withstand traveling 30mph over rough waves with 10 people upstairs. I'm really only continuing to watch this series to watch the disaster unfold.
I'd want, quarter and hand rails, Is he planning on guard rails around the boat ? Not heard or seen that talked about yet. I think you got to have rhe steps built on the platform, so you can add a track, rail, gear or electric motor to raise and lower the platform on both sides, manually just be to hard in current design. Definitely need to have a few step ladders than can either be removed or permanently, so people can get in and out of the water, if no platform is used. People Definitely like shade out on the lake, ect. I thought this video was gonna be, all the furniture installed.
Perhaps railings on the left and right side of the deck to substitute for straps.
Possibly continue the railing with the same height as the rest of the boat if there were railings along the sides.
This way it's uniform when it's in the highest position and then when it drops down low, it's additional support utilizing the steps.
Your swim platform (loading over water) has more capacity than your upper deck (loading over people). Think about that! Sweet welds today.
Maybe put some hand rails on the sides that will also be easier to move the deck with!
Yupp at 32:33 put leaver arms on that back end of the stern of the poontunes back ,,, that area during dramatic waves and tidele surge will move that tye strap system all different directions then. STRAIGHT INN, lever arms
Love the optimism.
Keep the faith!
Hinge! For the love of Pete... Please use a hinge!
And for the hot tub floor doors (previous video), use a shock to reduce the leverage needed.
Use gas shocks to the sides of the receivers to help.
Think about handrail on both outsides of the swim platform to lift it and lower. It will allow you to push it down in the water when placing it in swimming mode... Just a thought.
This is a good idea. Also, did I miss how it will be secured? Couldn’t it slide out from vibration or something?
@@petezahman3914 they didn't mention how it would be secured. I was thinking the same thing
Ya I came to mention this as well. If they want to stay married to this idea this seems the most secure option.
I just commented on this same idea ! But using the hand rail that is used in swimming pools. 😊
not a bad idea!
For 50 years boats have had telescoping swim ladders. Permanently mount the swim deck high and throw a couple folding or telescopic ladders on both sides
Cantilever setup. Dual lever. One to push out and one to swing down.
You lost him at cantilever !
You'll have a hard time with or without the straps if your in choppy waters.. Maybe consider a swing arm system with locking pins.
Can’t wait for when you’re going down the river and you have the motors trimmed and you go to turn and those props cut right through those side pontoons!!
Dont worry about Sema keep building things like this and Sema will come to you! As far as cool creative things go anyways! Put the swim deck on a hing with a pull out pin of some sort on spring going to other side
B is for Bad decisions 😂 ❤
Use a screw gear type mechanism with electric motors to raise and lower the deck
Articulated Hinges!! A UA-camr (Fanatik Builds) put a Chevy V8 in a Triumph GT6. In order to get the hood to open (it tilts forward) and clear the new engine and mechanicals, he designed and fabricated a pair of articulated hinges that work amazingly well. You might want to check this out as a solution to raising and lowering the swim deck.
To help with manoeuvring the swim deck you could either weld or pin railings to port and starboard of the swim platform itself, like the staples (removable rails) you see on some yachts. Means you could probably do away with the straps. If you do it right you could even use the railing/staples to pin the platform to the diagonal support rail that's still to be put in. Also would look more finished and give a little 'safety' rail on the platform.
Edit: actually, thinking about it some more you could probably hinge the staple/railing so it could serve double duty as a boarding ladder.
The moment something is difficult or a nuisance to accomplish, like changing that platform position, it will simply not get done. That's just common sense. The way that platform is, it will never get lowered.
Like the swim deck mounts with delrin plates so they slide over the aluminum smoothly
Idea- Instead of straps in those locations, how about rods with key loops on the end so you have a little more control. They could even lay down into the deck when not in use.
Or just have side railings like the rest of the boat. And then you have a sturdy metal instead of straps to handle them, even if you need to push them down into the water.
You'd be better off with a removable trampoline setup like you'd see on a catamaran. It'd be easy to flip vertical for mooring/storage. Easy to remove for engine maintenance. Far more lightweight.
You could put a travel channel for the 4 inserts to slide on between the top and bottom sets of holes. Also adding handrails to the sides of the swim platform will make using the stairs safer and make it easier to raise and lower without even using straps. The handrail can also be extended downwards and steps can be added so when its in the water, it drops the ladder portion below the surface
If you think the steps will get some water inside, just drill some holes to drain the water.
Genuinely asking, @bisforbuild. Why does the swim deck need to change positions? I haven't noticed that on any boats when I've gone wakesurfing. But maybe I missed something?
29:25 I'm sure you guys could have made a hing system with gas shock to swing it
Look at a NAUTIQUE G23 or G25 from 2013-2018 removable swim deck and how they built it-- it would be your solution to have this locked in place while cruising in the water
Put the swim deck on hinges then you could use waterproof linear accumulators to raise and lower. Or strap until you work the powered option out.
Maybe the deck should be permanently attached, then hinged at the bottom to pivot vertical.
Curved sleeved "hinge" so it gets the support of the boxed tubing but does the motion you need while redirecting your effort/force
Put side rails on the swim deck to use as handles for changing positions.
Could modify and mount a high lift jack in the center of swim deck and have a couple guide rails on the ends. Move the steps to the swim deck. Then you could operate the jack from swim deck. Put a couple holes in the guide rails for pins to hold swim deck in place.
I think the swim deck will cause steering issues. For example when pulling away from a dock. Anything more than a slight angle you will hit the back on the dock or anything ur close to. Why not make tracks for it to slide out and out a canter lever square tube with a manual crank to raise and lower via cables some type of guide
getting that swim deck into those receivers on a rockin boat in waves is going to be a struggle straps or no straps. Good luck.
Can't help but think a quad link hinge system would've worked out better, but if it works it works. Ready to see it on the water!
@BisforBuild - Just sent you a really rough sketch.
Ditch the straps and build a lightweight (P...and backwards P...shaped) railing on each side of the platform to act as a handle to lift it and also give swimmers something to grab onto while getting out of the water.
Love the channel BTW!
my first thought when you said the swim deck would raise and lower was a four bar mechanism or some kind of mechanical linkage system but i would have no idea where to start with it.... great now i going to try and figure this out LOL
Using variable height stairs ment for stage risers might be a cool idea, the steps always stay level- so I’m sure there is a way to attach a platform and automate the movement. Maybe replace the square tubing with something solid and/or add a thin main “mover” part inbetween the engines and use the stairs only to keep the platform level width wise.
... I never thought I'd see a pontoon with 500hp and be concerned that it's under powered lol
Same
it's diminishing returns for boats, he could have 1,000 hp and it would only be slightly faster. outside of putting in some big jet drives this barge is going to be very slow
@@seanthompson6720maybe not too slow. A Playcraft pontoon boat broke 100 mph on Lake of the Ozarks not too long ago. Anyone who hangs out on Lake Havasu has seen tooners regularly hit 65 miles an hour.
There's a pontoon boat where I'm at in the inlet to Ocean we see fly by 50+ if not faster. I've seen 3 450hp on a tritoon and seen more powerful ones in boat shows
@@rockdaddio69 how big is that boat? this pontoon boat is a massive double decker with a hot tub and a head, also with the pontoons extending past the propellers this boat with not want to get on plane no matter how much power you put in it
Carbon in you aluminum Mig weld can lead to brittleness and cracking. to eliminate it you need to use 100% argon and use a push technique not pull.
Name it "Wasted Seaman"
Or sloop dogg
Or “that’s what sea said”
@@kruleworldDrunken Senior in my bay.
Looking good. Be prepared for a lot of high velocity water spray off the outer pontoons to bombard the motors. Older motor covers become less water tight as they age. May have to figure out some deflectors. Trust me it’s a lot of spray.
I don't know how to explain what I'm thinking but using a manual gear on a pivot point. The gear when cranked say forward would move the deck out from the receivers. Then the pivot point or switch would angle another gear which would move the platform upwards. Now, reversing the crank from forward to backward, the platform moves inward towards the boat. Flup the switch at the pivot point and now it can slide into the upper receiver.
I don't know if that made sense but it does in my head!😅
I just gave my 'in my head linkage and gas struts (anti) design.' Requires an engineer to get it to work outside of my head. 😮
Metalsupermarkets must have love in this ad of a video when you said they forgot to give you part of your order....
Put drain holes in those steps! Water will absolutely find it's way in there. I'd have just left the bottom of those open.
And having the telescoping square tubes actually fit correctly after welding, water temp changes while on the water is gonna be a nightmare. You'll have to remove a lot of aluminum to prevent an interference fit right when you didn't want it.
Nm..... You found out.
Add railings to the outside of the swim deck then you can use them for handles to raise and lower it.
1 of the main things I like about your channel is showing how u figure things out..Love your channel
I love your show! I love the creativity however, as a boater and licensed captain....your swim deck is stupid, dangerous and someone is going to get hurt. If you want to sell these boats, you need a redesign. There is a reason super yachts use hydraulics to open and close the "garage doors" I appreciate the desire to simplify the design...but I have one question...."do you think drunk people could handle this operation safely?" Also, Bennet Marine makes hydraulic trim tabs with plastic rams. Low power and small package and different sizes. Might be a cheap and safer solution to be adapted. Also, I think Lenco makes electric rams an all in one solution. Both are simple reliable and designed for the marine environment. Again, I love your show and would love to see you succeed safely.
He's already stated that he changed his mind about selling them. He's not doing that
So you can make steps on the two end sides and have the motors at optimal. Those outboard motors should not covered in my opinion. Outboard is out and inboard is that for reasons.
This boat better have the Guinness Record for largest first aid kit and an even bigger liability insurance policy. Might as well epoxy coat the floors with broken glass and rusty nails while you are at it. The number of sharp edges and blunt corners on this boat is simply horrifying.
You need handles inset on the deck. Have a cutout on the upper skin with a curved bottom. Use round aluminum bar inside the cutout. 2 on each side. People should be able to walk right over without an issue and it will make it much easier to handle.
Instead of having the stairs on the boat, put the stairs on the swim deck. That way, as you raise and lower, you just have the stairs raise with the swim deck. Otherwise, notch out the swim deck so that the swim deck doesn't matter about the stairs .
I said almost the same thing.
@@moparmarley I tried to read through to see if someone suggested it. Sorry about that!!
@@midimike88 You seen the video before I did, hence me commenting on yours and you not seeing mine.
A step built onto the actual deck and vertical sliding guides with dowel pins at the two required heights might have been easier to build? Can't wait to see it all finished and on the water.
Straps? No. Do you know wtf a hinge is? A handle on the deck some springs and you could just raise and lower the deck into place. Also why not install some sort of roller assistance with the swim deck? You could use something as cheap as rollerblade wheels. That way there's less struggle getting the deck in place. All this time, money and energy and you're relying on essentially slave labor to deploy your swim deck lol.
Bingo
This is a comment I've been looking for, It makes zero sense to manually put the swim deck in place when a hinge system could work better or with how complex the build is already to just control it hydraulically.
Use handrails for the deck. If you design them correctly you can use them to move it as well
Hi, in no way am I criticizing your build, just adding some food for thought based upon my experience with aluminium. If I were doing it I would drill holes in the bottoms/sides of the step boxes. Reason, the water will exert an upwards force/slap the boxes, this will cause the aluminium to work harden crack and fail, especially if the boxes become heavy with water ingress. You also mentioned in previous videos that you wanted to get the boat of the plane, if the boxes touch the water line during plaining the boxes will act as a fulcrum point for the boat and even more upwards pressure will be applied without any chance of relief.
Can’t wait to see this in the water. You should see if whatever company ships the boat will drive it across the scales. I want to know how much it weighs
Have you thought of filling those rear steps with closed cell spray foam… will stop them from filling with water and definitely add buoyancy…..
Better yet, gas tanks.
Why not use the main stair box area for additional storage? Looks like a great place for an emergency reserve fuel cell or something.
the amount of human blood this boat is going to unleash...
I think with the removable swim deck, I’m not sure if it’s possible but on the outer side of the slots, it may be a good idea to make some form of wedge that helps guide that deck into those channels while using the straps.
Why not put upright round bars that are welded to the outside of the swim deck closest to the boat. You’ll have a “handrail” and a way to maneuver the deck in and out. That way it’s rigid and you don’t have to fight floppy straps.
I would highly recommend that you cut hole or groves in the deck to cut the weight down and allow any water on the deck to drain out while lifting and entering the water. I am also surprised you didn’t look into a locking slide/scissor lift system with springs to help raise it when done.
"I've come too far to admit this is a dumb idea"
B is for Based.
I'm very much enjoying watching your development process.
I'd probably add a couple of handrails for the stairs that double as davits for lifting the swim deck with straps.
Hey Chris; check the cantilever dingy davits they use on sailing catamarans. They use a rope to a winch which you could secure to your top deck. Love the project and the show!
Jacuzzi are so 80s we all know they are nasty .
Rounded edges on pontoon boats are nice.
Oscar did a great Job!
@BisforBuild to make raising the swim deck easier, add hand rails like you find on swimming pool stairs/ladders on either side of the platform. It will give a safety rail for swimmers and will give you a permanent “strap” to raise and lower the platform. Just a thought
I know absolutely nothing about welding but seeing the soot around every weld makes me think that some setting isn't 100% correct
I know a decent amount about welding, and I can't tell what type of welding they are doing, because of time lapse and I'm watching this on mobile.
There was quite a lot of volume in the steps. You could use that volume for e.g. fuel. Or space for some of the control equipment for the engines. ??
Hinge, pulley, and electric winch
To keep it from coming off the boat maybe notch it out where the stairs are and put it on a vertical rail then you can raise and lower it to any level you need just another idea. Love the content!
an opinion of a long time boat owner a movable swim platform seams like a nightmare just attach it above the water and make a bracket that supports a swim lader Armstrong makes these buy one or make your one stow the lader when non in use. why move a whole platform when you can just move the lader
I'd like to say keep it simple stupid, but you have well n blown past that. Love everything y'all are doing. Keep@it
i love how you have learned to "make things simple" because this whole swim deck is TOTALLY NECESSARY!
He could 100% just have it be at water height the whole time, but he feels like it's necessary for it to be a massive complex moving piece
My dude, nothing about a party barge is necessary.
You need to hire someone tbh
Well done progressing nicely! How about using the straps as also a hold in strap to stop it floating out or being lost when motoring along? Or have a hinge and a cantilever bar which can fix back to that new diagonal bar to tie into the top deck. Hinged at the joint on the stern of the boat and the bathing deck, with the strap on the top and use the hinged bar to lower the bathing platform either side. If you like a davit system to make it easier to lift and deploy. I’m sure you can work it out neatly. 👍 anyone agree? 👍 😉
Never have I clicked on a video so fast 😂
Bruhh me fr 😭😂
Straps look sketchy, even more so after a few beers. Simple solution if your short on build time, mount the swim platform where it is at the end of this video & have 2 folding ladders off the swim deck either side to get in & out of the water. Or have the platform connected to a spring loaded vertical track where you installed the steps on the stern of the pontoons so it can lowered by a persons weight standing on it lock it in place with pins.
Just do away with the stairs being part of the engine covers and build steps or a ladder or make a step ladder that are mobile.
I recommend using the same D-rings you used in the front for the Hot Tub. Then you can use basically dog leashes as straps. Instead of a foothold, why not weld on some basic aluminum square tube as a basic ladder on each rear corner? Can weld it on to the upper cross tube and the pontoon. :)
What is the plan of keeping the swim deck locked into place when the boat is in motion?
Hope and a prayer.
Boat is going to need a lifeguard and a chaperone
The swim deck receivers seems like a bad idea, moving the deck while on the water is going to be difficult. You should have the deck on hinged arms that allow it to swing and float on the water.
You could maintain the original idea and get different engines. There are outboards that just the lower rotates and power head stays straight.
But each one weighs as much as 5 of these. And costs more than the entire project.
Ummmmmm imagine a slight swell and rocking and trying to do that 😂😂 looks cool but yeah have fun with that