Thoughts and Opinions

[Happy Ours]

I was thinking of cutting out a swim platform door thru the transom, I have added a picture I found on the net of an F32 with the door, I would like to know if there was an option to have these doors done at the factory when the boat was ordered or these doors were added on by the owners. Was wondering about the integrity of the transom wall and if anyone has done this, I know Paul has done this upgrade on his F26 and it looks Fantastic, he has a single engine, as you all know F32 has 2 engines so was wondering if this would make a difference. Any advice would be great

Thanks Craig

[prowlersfish]

Yes it can be done . how do I know ? I did it .

[mikeandanne]

Would be nice to see that from the other side with the door shut and railing down I think......If I had half a clue how to do the finish glassing ,gel coat etc I would take the sawzall to ours, what a great addition imho...Mike

[captainmaniac]

I think there is a certain amount of structural integrity that has to be factored in. The transom is pretty thin I think, and the 'boxy' aft section is part of the structural strength. If you want to cut a chunk out of the transom, there may be some things you need to reinforce.

[prowlersfish]

Would be nice to see that from the other side with the door shut and railing down I think......If I had half a clue how to do the finish glassing ,gel coat etc I would take the sawzall to ours, what a great addition imho...Mike

The first cut it the hardest .

I think there is a certain amount of structural integrity that has to be factored in. The transom is pretty thin I think, and the 'boxy' aft section is part of the structural strength. If you want to cut a chunk out of the transom, there may be some things you need to reinforce.

I boxed/framed in the door section . The framing in also caused the inner liner to become fastened to the transom making it stronger . I have not seen any signs of flex . I also know of a F32 that did one a did not box it in with no issues . remember your only cutting part way down ( to the deck )

[prowlersfish]

Inner liner cut out , larger then the door , note the upper part is all ready cut

[prowlersfish]

Framing in the door . Notice the transom is not cut yet ,What you can't see were the deck is fastened to the transom with wood and west system and glass . What you can see is marine plywood .

[prowlersfish]

Now I said the first cut is the hardest ,but the cut in the stern was not easy on the nerves at all LOL

If you noticed I also put in hawse pipes .

[prowlersfish]

Of all the things I have done to this boat , this has to be one of the most useful . It makes it much easier for Her to get on and off the dingy and floating docks . I have no regrets

[Happy Ours]

That looks awesome Paul, did you use the inner and outer skins you cut out to make the door, what did you use the pipe for, I can believe the first cut is the hardest, but man what an addition

Craig

[Happy Ours]

That is exactly it my wife has a hard time getting on and off the swim platform an accident waiting to happen, we use it alot, would like a ladder but the old style where the ladder to get out of the water onto the swim platform folds up to the boarding ladder made of teak, I have been looking for quite awhile, but this door is a much better idea thanks for the pictures Paul greatlly appreciated.

Craig

[prowlersfish]

Only the outer skin that frame also to hold its shape and make stronger (before the cut ). The hawse pipe has nothing to do with the door it self . The hawse pipes are where the ropes go thru . You can see them in the last photo , sorry about the poor first 2 photos they were from my flip phone .


Anyone that's wants to do this I would be happy to make the first cut ,then your committed and I will be long gone

[Happy Ours]

Ok Paul come on up and make the first cut then I am committed as you say lol, do you have a picture of the door when it is closed, also I like how you have the taft rail that is hindged and closes on top, again thanks for the input.

Craig

[bigdave603]

I would be happy to make all the cuts. I'm thinking of doing my F32 and it would be helpful to practice on yours. LOL

[prowlersfish]

Ok Paul come on up and make the first cut then I am committed as you say lol, do you have a picture of the door when it is closed, also I like how you have the taft rail that is hindged and closes on top, again thanks for the input.

Craig

I am sure I have a pic somewhere . Taft rail ?? Do you mean aft rail ? The F36 does not use a railing on the stern as the cockpit is deeper . I do not recommend removing it on the F32 to easy to fall over .

On the door the top part swings up and over ( hinged ) and the door swings open .