Platform Extension....

[ACE]

So I finally got round to sorting the photos of the platform extension to my boat. I toyed with many ideas from hydraulic hi/lo platforms but finally made the decision to go with the local boat yard. It’s taken a wee while longer than expected but at the end I think it’s been worth it. It still has some more rubbing down to be done and another protective coat.

As you are probably aware the platform on the Fairline Targa 40 are fairly narrow and to be honest useless this I think gives a complete new lease of life to the boat. I’ve put them in order from start to almost finished so you can see the journey. This was completely made by Hand and all the various moulds had to be made by hand as well.

Just thought i'd share some of the photos...

Here is the old platform...

And the boat without the platform...

making sure that the new platform was strong and substancial

The underside having been completed it was down to rubbing down and smoothing off ...

Then there was all the teak work, these stips had all to be hand cut...

Then the filler...

Then left for a couple of days to dry and settle....

Then of course the BIG test did it fit back onto the boat

As I said still a few bits to be done and finished off but thats the majority done.....

 

[taz]

Looking good, looking good.

Will she be back in the water by July?

I am at Puerto Banus for a couple of days, I may nip for a pint in Alberts and have a quick look

 

[jimmy_the_builder]

Wow, from one T40 owner to another, that's an amazing transformation. What was the process - did you make a mould from the existing platform, and then mod the mould for the new extended platform? (Have you still got the moulds? ) What was the thinking behind teak cappings on the extended sides of the platform?

What's the plan for the dinghy - are you just going to extend the existing dinghy rails? And ref the central strut under the platform, it looks like you've just extended the length but maintained the same angle of support, is that right? How close is it to that big transom anode?

What's the new loa of the boat - are you now the proud owner of a Targa 42? Do you get much drag in the water from the extended platform?

Looking great T. Nice job.

Cheers
Jimmy

 

[ACE]

Looking good, looking good.

Will she be back in the water by July?

I am at Puerto Banus for a couple of days, I may nip for a pint in Alberts and have a quick look

She should be back in the water towards the end of next week, let me know when your down and if I am about I will buy you that beer. LRJ II is berthed on the opposite side to Alberts towards the end.

 

[MapisM]

Do you get much drag in the water from the extended platform?

I would also be curious to hear about that.
Judging from the pics, it looks like it might intefere with the water flow, when accelerating from displacement to planing speed...?
Anyway, a great job indeed. Useability is definitely in another league!

 

[taz]

She should be back in the water towards the end of next week, let me know when your down and if I am about I will buy you that beer. LRJ II is berthed on the opposite side to Alberts towards the end.

Well I may just take you up on that, it'll be an excuse for two beers cos I'll have to buy you one back

 

[ACE]

Well I may just take you up on that, it'll be an excuse for two beers cos I'll have to buy you one back

Now Your talking ...... Given that it would only be polite I guess I'd have to buy you one back too.......

 

[BartW]

Beautifull job ! well done.
this should be the standard platform size on a T40 imho

I would also be curious to hear about that.
Judging from the pics, it looks like it might intefere with the water flow, when accelerating from displacement to planing speed...?

naaa I can't believe it would,
compare this to the huge platform on Jfm's SQ78,
even that one doesn't interfere afaik. (on BA no issue, I'm higher above waterline,60cm)

 

[taz]

Now Your talking ...... Given that it would only be polite I guess I'd have to buy you one back too.......

I'll leave the car at home then

 

[MapisM]

naaa I can't believe it would, compare this to the huge platform on Jfm's SQ78, even that one doesn't interfere afaik. (on BA no issue, I'm higher above waterline,60cm)

Well, I didn't say it does drag, just that it looks like it might. But what do I know...? Hence the question.
There are relevant differences between a T40 and Match or BA, size being the most obvious but not the only one.
Also shafts vs. outdrives makes a difference in the holeshot behaviour.

 

[rafiki_]

Great job. It looks really professional. I guess it sits about 0.5m above the waterline, therefore no real risk of drag.

 

[vas]

Great job. It looks really professional. I guess it sits about 0.5m above the waterline, therefore no real risk of drag.

excellent work ACE, very well done!

however, I share the concern of the med mob, rafiki, judging from the pics and where a/f ends, I doubt the top of the platform is 250mm above the waterline!
I guess unloaded the lower part of the platform's rear edge is less that 200mm above the water.
It may be slightly odd for the few seconds on getting up on the plane, or may have to use the tabs/trim the engines a bit

V.

 

[PCUK]

A proper craftsmen built job. Didn't think there were any left! How is the platform attached to the boat and are there any additional supports underneath. It's size means there is a lot of leverage on the outer ends when standing near the edge.
I'm looking to do something similar and these are the worries I have about fitting.

 

[jfm]

Wow, fantastic job. It's great to see these conversions done so well, so they look original (same philosophy as Bart's BA transom stairs/door refit)

I would be amazed if there is any drag. The thing looks high enough above the water, and the boat will carve a channel, and the boat is so energetic (I've recently driven JimmyBuilder's) that it is up on the plane fully before you'd notice the aft edge of the platform catching. So I'm in the "no problem" camp

Looks to me like they are putting extra 45deg s/s struts in one of the picture, to support it?

Did they end up making a full female mould tool T? Do you still have it?

Again, fantastic job. Thanks for sharing the pictures

 

[andy maxime]

The weather has improved a lot since I was last in aberdeen!!

 

[ACE]

Thanks for all the comments, We tested it last week before it was actually fixed back to the boat and there was no drag it didn’t even really hit the water, What we did think about and ultimately do was (I don’t have any pictures yet) was just in case, we manufactured a small spoiler which attaches to the underside and will deflect any water (if there was to be any) and reduce any drag that may happen.

I am confident enough that there will not be any, it was partly the reason we didn’t follow through with the sides as this would have hit the water on any tight turns and why we finished it off with a teak side just for protection. Still not decided if we will finish it off or leave as is ?

New struts were indeed made and cut specifically to fit (see picture) these were made from better s/s and just make the whole structure more secure

 

[PCUK]

Many thanks for the strut advice.

 

[jimmy_the_builder]

we manufactured a small spoiler which attaches to the underside and will deflect any water

Aha. So: you've extended the platform (nice) and now you're using the extension to mount a spoiler to create a rooster tail? I like the way you're thinking...

Cheers
Jimmy

 

[ACE]

A proper craftsmen built job. Didn't think there were any left! How is the platform attached to the boat and are there any additional supports underneath. It's size means there is a lot of leverage on the outer ends when standing near the edge.
I'm looking to do something similar and these are the worries I have about fitting.

The platform is ultimately bolted through onto the boat (the fixings were difficult to get to this is why we had to take out the garage). Then it’s sealed to the boat and if you see the s/s struts this makes the complete process solid.

 

[jrudge]

Glad to see it has under water lights!

As a T40 owner I think it looks fantastic. The kids can do pitch and putt! What did it cost?