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DIY 3207 stairs for swim deck

Discussion in 'Carver Yacht' started by nater1977, Mar 2, 2014.

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  1. nater1977, Mar 2, 2014
    #1
    nater1977

    nater1977 New Member

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    I just started to make this build i am going to make some fiberglass stairs for the swim platform and make a bigger swim platform later so here are some of the picks for the form i have been building.This has taken me about 14 hours so far and no i am not a carpenter i still don't know how to read a tape :D

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  2. nater1977, Mar 2, 2014
    #2
    nater1977

    nater1977 New Member

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    and two other pics

    and the two other pictures

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  3. nater1977, Mar 2, 2014
    #3
    nater1977

    nater1977 New Member

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    stairs

    remember this a plug so the inside is where we put the fiberglass

    If anyone has any tips PLEASE feel free to let me know!!!:confused:
  4. NYCAP123, Mar 2, 2014
    #4
    NYCAP123

    NYCAP123 Senior Member

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    Can't tell if you've already done it, but soften the edges. Square edges could cause injuries and may chip easier. Also put a none-skid pattern on the steps.
  5. nater1977, Mar 2, 2014
    #5
    nater1977

    nater1977 New Member

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    yes


    After this mold sets up i will have to flip it over and maybe caulk????? for the corners and i am going to use a non slip material for the steps thanks!!
  6. nater1977, Mar 3, 2014
    #6
    nater1977

    nater1977 New Member

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    Now just finished the bottom frame and sanded level
    NOW i have noticed :( THAT THE CONTOUR IS NOT CORRECT TO FIT THE BOAT PROPERLY.... Well thats why its a DIY trial and error this will be the third time making the two pieces that fit into the rubber bumper around the boat..
    I have use liquid nails witch suck for this kind of (wood) its particle board
    so i use hot glue and liquid nails, it does come apart.So its fairly easy to tear apart,great for trial and error. The fibers on the rough side just rips off a very small layer when taking apart so you can reglue many times over..NICE!
    So now back to the boat a second time and get a real good fit,Taking the ladder off and then place,mark,cut ,hot glue go home and reinforce it with liquid nails and corner bead then more hot glue.

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  7. Savasa, Mar 3, 2014
    #7
    Savasa

    Savasa Senior Member

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    As previously mentioned, soften the edges. Maybe more of a 1" radius as opposed to just a thin caulk line or put the caulk on thicker and form a radius. You might have to get in there with some fairing compound. Lookin' good so far.
  8. 1000 islands, Mar 4, 2014
    #8
    1000 islands

    1000 islands Member

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    I'm having spiral stairs made that look like this:

    If anyone is interested in having them made let me know asap, cause maybe the price could come down from $2,300 CDN

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  9. NYCAP123, Mar 4, 2014
    #9
    NYCAP123

    NYCAP123 Senior Member

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    Nice looking, but doubt you'll have any luck lowering the price. They probably build more for houses than for boats. So I doubt another sale will affect price.
  10. nater1977, Mar 4, 2014
    #10
    nater1977

    nater1977 New Member

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    that's my problem i am not going to spend 2300 on stairs i can build for about 500
    Guess i am too cheap but i was going to build the spiral but i liked using fiber glass and i dint want any metal on my build and i don't have a tig welder to weld aluminum so i guess i am still building these ones out of fiber glass
  11. mjkkemper, Mar 9, 2014
    #11
    mjkkemper

    mjkkemper Member

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    Yes caulk or wood putty. 1" radius is correct. If using caulk put a thick bead on then take a old credit card or one with a big balance. Cut the radius on the corner and use this to shape the caulk. Buy the cheap painters caulk and keep it refrigerated. This shapes the best. Sure you saw my post so I hope that helps. Also if you put a door on there like I did you can store your outboard for the dink in there. Oh core the steps other wise they will be bouncy.

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  12. mjkkemper, Mar 9, 2014
    #12
    mjkkemper

    mjkkemper Member

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    Added some lights.

    Good luck on your stairs and let me know if i can be of any help

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  13. nater1977, Mar 9, 2014
    #13
    nater1977

    nater1977 New Member

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    Thanks so much for the tips I am just finishing up the prep and I will be caulking and getting ready for primer.
    Hope I can prime this week!!!
  14. Sokwik, Mar 10, 2014
    #14
    Sokwik

    Sokwik New Member

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    Who is doing those stairs for you?? Had someone quote me similar stairs for my 3807 last year but they kept dragging their feet and didn't come through.
  15. 1000 islands, Mar 10, 2014
    #15
    1000 islands

    1000 islands Member

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    It's a guy who does what he calls "Iron ArtWorks"

    He says he will complete them in 3 weeks. I have checked him out and there is nothing but praise for him and his work.
  16. RB480, Mar 10, 2014
    #16
    RB480

    RB480 Senior Member

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    I have them from the factory on my boat. Huge improvement over the ladder.

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  17. NYCAP123, Mar 10, 2014
    #17
    NYCAP123

    NYCAP123 Senior Member

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    RB480 do you happen to remember the cost from the factory?

    One thing I haven't seen mentioned here is weight. I'm guessing that the full fiberglass stairs that are being made will probably add 80 or 100 lbs which will be sitting on the quarter. That could affect stability and ride. The spiral stairs look lighter and shift the weight up against the transom and further inboard.
  18. Old Phart, Mar 10, 2014
    #18
    Old Phart

    Old Phart Senior Member

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    I dunno
    Here's a little offset, as Ralph would say.

    Ernie K-Doe - Mother-In-Law (Oldies Weekend Special) - YouTube
  19. NYCAP123, Mar 10, 2014
    #19
    NYCAP123

    NYCAP123 Senior Member

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    If only you could get away with strapping her to the swim platform.:D Whatever happened to rumble seats in cars, or the old speedboats with the passenger seat behind the motor?:D Seriously though that's a critical place to add weight. It may have no effect, but it's worth having someone stand on the corner to see if an offset (mother-in-law:D) is needed.
  20. nater1977, Mar 12, 2014
    #20
    nater1977

    nater1977 New Member

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    So i had to back out of making these fiberglass stairs because my boat is documented and the stairs would cover the name and hailing port.

    After research and calling a lot of places i have a company making me a set of spiral stairs for under 700.00 yes under seven hundred.
    There are custom and they have a lifetime warranty on the workman ship.
    They will look like this and they are coming galvanized so i might powder coat them myself i could have paid a couple hundred more for the powder coat.
    I still cant believe i found someone under 2000.00 dollars for a set of spiral stairs!!!!!

    If you want a quote let me know i will set you up with the company!!!!
    They will look CLOSE TO THESE!!!!!!!!!!

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