I recently purchased a Key West 1720 and am in the process of shopping the cost it would cost me to install a poling platform. I have dont a lot of research online and it seems that no one carries a universal type of platform that I would be able to use in my sitation. I’m interested in learning about having a custom platform built but to be honest I dont know where to start in searching for someone in Charleston that does this work. Does anyone have a direction that could point me? Or any other knowledge I should consider when making this purchase?
Thanks for your help.
-mh
I would start with Key West. They are local. The platform on those boats were a pretty simple design. Shouldn’t cost you more than $400 to get a factory one. They look like this.
If you want to come to the Columbia area, I can help.
I can also answer any questions you might have, no matter who you choose to do your build.
Bob Van Gundy
Marine Designs,Inc.
Custom Aluminum Fabrication
803-727-4069
http://www.carolinacustomrigging.com/p/photo-gallery_4585.html
Marc from carolina custom rigging bent the material for my platform and I did all of the welding for my g3. He does great work and he said that if he was to do it all it would be around $400. He is a local guy from Mt Pleasant. This is the number that I have for him (843) 884-8665
Nothing makes a fish bigger than almost being caught.
Thanks for everyone input!
Gerinomo- I called up Butler Marine (Key West Dealer) and they said that they would order 1 straight from Key West and I should expect it to be around $799 plus tax & shipping and handling… Lemme know if you know a better point of contact to hit your price point.
Happy Bob & Jonathon- Thanks for your inquiries I’m going to keep both suggestions into consideration and make a decision in the coming weeks.
Since were on the topic. How does one go about pricing a pole?
-MH
If KW won’t sell you one direct without the dealer getting 100% mark up, I would just commision one yourself and have it built to your specs for $400-$500 easily.
And why shipping? Go pick it up, they are made in Summerville.
I’ve built several poling platforms for boats that are’nt “specifically designed as a technical skiff/shallow water hull”, one was a 24" Tidewater Bay boat. It’s not the idea of trying to pole a boat that size, but more for the added height for sight fishing. The guy with the Tidewater stands on the platform and uses his remote on the trolling motor. It’s amazing how much more you can see staning just 2 1/2’-3’ off the deck.
hewittpm, my platforms start at $425.00 and go up from there, depending on what kind of bells & whistles you might want to add, custom built on your boat, including installation.
Bob Van Gundy
Marine Designs,Inc.
Custom Aluminum Fabrication
803-727-4069
Happy Bob - You hit the nail on the head on your justification for installing the poling platform on a boat this size. The height advantage for spotting those big Reds is an absolute advantage of having the platform. I currently have one of the highpowered trolling motors with remote control. So I’m hoping to have fishing rod, and remote in hand, standing on the platform luring myself right in on the fish. Btw - I’m a pretty strong guy and have not had problems poling any 17’ in the past - obviously the level of difficulty increases depending on weather conditions and amount of weight in boat. These models of boat also come with poling platforms from factory. The pole will also be ideal for a quick anchor.
It will be a couple weeks before I get the funding together to make this addition but appreciate everyone’s ■■■■■■■■.
Bob- do you have any photos that you can share of some of your work?
palmerscott has no idea what he’s talking about…so there’s no rain on any parade from his misguided info…unfortunatley misinformation is the status quo on this site, so its expected.
Happy Bob nailed the platform response. I have platforms on my 16’ skiff,and 21’ bay boat…both are very much worth it.
Mr bob, if the person who you built that platform for is from columbia, you did a great job…and when he’s in town fishing, I see him on it often. He’s a nice fella.
xHCFCx
Here’s my 10 cents, my 2 cents is free
Here’s just a few of the things I’ve done in the past few years. Unfortunatly, I don’t have the room anymore to build bigger things like t-tops and such.
Stretch, the guy with the Tidewater is from Columbia. Thanks, Bob
Bob Van Gundy
Marine Designs,Inc.
Custom Aluminum Fabrication
803-727-4069