Anyone ever made their own poling platform?

General Boats and Motors
1

I have access to the materials and an excellent welder. Wonder how difficult it would be? Anyone have experience doing this?

2
quote:
Originally posted by 23Sailfish

I have access to the materials and an excellent welder. Wonder how difficult it would be? Anyone have experience doing this?

23, shouldn’t be that big of a deal. Remember when looking at hewes, action crafts, or any of your big namers, it’s as much about looks as it is function. All of the bends and such are not neccessary. A couple of miters and you should be good!

Sho IZ

3

Are you sure you want an aluminum one? :smiley:

4

Beverages, fly rod holder, non-skid surface, designer color… maybe?

5

Been debatin on building one myself for my boat, Let’s talk wed at lunch.

Russ B.
God is great, Beer is good, People are crazy

6

The most important thing to keep in mind on a poling platform, is structural stability. Remember, you’re going to be standing about 3 ft. above the deck. Design wise, you can do almost anything.
Personally, I’m not a big fan of the platforms mounted only to the transom. You’re better off with 4 legs bolted to the deck and transom, or all 4 legs to the deck.
Make sure you can properly secure it to your boat. Thru bolt where ever possible. And use 5200 at all mounting points.
If I can help, give me a call.

Bob Van Gundy
Marine Designs,Inc.
Custom Aluminum Fabrication
803-727-4069

7

Buddy of mine had one built for his Key West. Only mounted to the transom with two legs. Worked kind of OK for quite a while until one weld broke. That’s when you understand fully Happy Bob’s warning. Four legs ONLY. Maybe practice building by making a casting stool for the bow of the boat. Make two and I’ll take one! :smiley:

8
quote:
Originally posted by 23Sailfish

I have access to the materials and an excellent welder. Wonder how difficult it would be? Anyone have experience doing this?

yep :smiley:

26’ Twinvee
Suzuki 175’s
www.creeksidemetalworks.com

9

there is a reason why the top tier boats pole well. hull design is the biggy. but a properly designed and placed platform is an essential part of it too.

if i had a boat not designed for poling like a CSkiff or a jon boat, i would get a platform made for the front deck and pole the boat azz end first …

10
quote:
Originally posted by BiggerthanYours

Are you sure you want an aluminum one? :smiley:

I was thinking about a plastic model like yours, only slightly different…

11
quote:
Originally posted by 23Sailfish

[quote]Originally posted by BiggerthanYours

Are you sure you want an aluminum one? :smiley:
I was thinking about a plastic model like yours, only slightly different…

A buddy of mine ruptured his spleen falling from a 'pickle bucket' he was using as a stool. Took me ten minutes to stop laughing before I could take him to the hospital. :smiley:

Not me on the cooler (nor the bucket) but, inspirational, none the less. :clown_face:

OK, all joking aside, what kind of boat would you put a platform on? Will help in any way I can.

12


[/quote]

And he is till no more than 6 feet above the water!:smiley:

S 34
507 sq. ft.

13

About 18 years ago I made one out of PVC pipe and some metal. I would go another route.

“Plan like you will live forever but live like you will die tomorrow.”

14

I think I should have turned on the “family filter” on my web browser before, I did a search for “poling platforms”.

I could send you the links, if you want them? :smiley:

15
quote:
Originally posted by Faith and Grace

About 18 years ago I made one out of PVC pipe and some metal. I would go another route.

“Plan like you will live forever but live like you will die tomorrow.”

Do tell.....

POOF!

16

16’ High Tide

like this…

17
quote:
Originally posted by CaptFritz
quote:
Originally posted by Faith and Grace

About 18 years ago I made one out of PVC pipe and some metal. I would go another route.

“Plan like you will live forever but live like you will die tomorrow.”

Do tell.....

POOF!

I thought I just did. We built a T-Top for a friends boat about 20 years ago and it held up ok so we decided to experiment with a poling platform. It lasted about 1 month. My friends and I were broke and had a junk boat so we used whatever materials that we could afford. We used a piece of metal that my father had laying around that used to be a stainless table top. It was an old piece of equipment that he had from one of our restaurants. It was nice because all of the sides and edges were rounded off.

“Plan like you will live forever but live like you will die tomorrow.”

18

Sailfish, most of the guys bend the ends of the back legs and attach them to the transom. Most of the load/weight is back there and there is more meat in the transom to attach it to.

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If you can’t bend it, you could use brackets.

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Here is a better shot of the brackets.

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But, once again, mount it at 4 places, not 2. The picture you show looks good. Can you just copy that one? I can tell you some of the fine points, if you need them, once you decide if you can make it and where it can be mounted.

Edit to add: I’ve been poling on an Action Craft for more than ten years.

19

If you know someone with a pipe bender, the 90 degree bends are easy.(if you get near Columbia, give me a call, I’ll bend them for free) You’re using sch. 40 (or equal to) pipe aren’t you? If you’re using tubing, use at least 1/8" wall.
Call me if I can help in any way.
Bob

Bob Van Gundy
Marine Designs,Inc.
Custom Aluminum Fabrication
803-727-4069

20

I know to use Sched40 or better. I could care less about that polished look, but I’m going to talk to my welder buddy probably next week about getting materials.

Thanks Bob, I might take you up on your offer. I’ll be in Columbia every Saturday for the next four weeks.