02 232BR swimplatform causing drag....maybe a retrofit?

[scheerce]

My 02' 232BR has the Rinker installed swim platform.  My family loves it.  It is great.  My sister and husband have the same boat without the platform and I definitely prefer the platform.  THAT SAID.... the drag it puts on the boat is, I believe, tremendous.  I have watched my boat from behind (from their boat) come out of the hole and there is massive drag caused by the platform.  The platform is good, but there is about a 4" lip that hangs down which creates the tremendous drag.  I have been thinking lately about installing some kind of "filler".  Maybe something that just comes in about 6" off the back that creates a smooth flow under the platform for the water.  Heck, it may even act like a "poor mans trim".  With that water flowing smoothly under that platform, it would have to push that back out of the water, planing the boat quicker. I see that the swimplatform.com version of the platform has a big cutout in the center that can allow water to flow through, and it also does not have the large lip like the Rinker version.  That has to be in response to the original causing such a drag.

any thoughts.....

[mvn]

Before you start carving up your swim platform, have you considered tabs (SmartTabs for example) to get you up on plane quicker?  I've got a 192 with the same platform and don't have any issues with the platform.

Mark

[scheerce]

ya, but it isn't really about the planing, just more of reducing the drag.  I guess the tabs would get on place quicker, which would eliminate the drag.  I was just thinking of maybe some sheet metal under there at an angle to allow the water to flow out from under the platform instead of hitting that 4" lip.

[mvn]

I looked at the extended platforms on 232's.  They definitely sit lower than the one on my 192.  Your sheetmetal (stainless?) idea may be quite sound.  No one else having any issues like this?

Mark

[morrisdl]

Do you have a pic? I LOVE how low my 2004 232 swim deck is, but never considered it a drag. In fact its so low, I took the skirope snaggin ladder off and no one has ever complained.

[Gene]

I would be very cautious about adding anything for the water to get a hold of. Try removing the plattform and see if performance improves before you modify it. Sounds tougher than it really is. i think its just bolted on and has some sealer for water tight bolts holes.

[morrisdl]

maybe it doesn't drag, but rather provide lift or reduce bowrise.  Like the wheelie bars on a drag car ;-)