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Some people can enter the water and swim for the pure joy of it. Most of us, though, prefer to have a destination. Well, if there's not an island sitting in the middle of your favorite lake why not build one? Tom Tamborello shares his plans for a swim platform and endless summer fun. For our swim platform we chose Port Orford Cedar. Not actually a variety of cedar, but cypress. It possesses many of the same attributes as cedar such as insect and rot resistance. Budget was our primary motivation for experimenting with Port Orford Cedar, it's considerably less costly than Western Red Cedar, our outdoor favorite. Port Orford Cedar is gaining in popularity as a decking material and it's not hard to see why. It is very straight grained and easy to work with. It has a distinct scent when cut, similar to actual cedar but a bit spicier. This scent is evidence of Port Orford Cedar's natural protective oils. Due to the constant exposure to the elements that our swim platform will have to endure we treated it with protective sealing stain. Due to its density Port Orford Cedar requires a deep penetrating stain. Materials:2 @ 82" 2 x 62 @60" 2 x 4 4 @ 58 1/2" 2 x 4 11 @ 82" 5/4 x 6, decking planks 4 @ 5 1/4" 4 x 4 16 carriage bolts (6-inch x 1/2-inch) w/ washers, lock washers and bolts 28 lag screws 3 1/2" x 3/8 w/ wahsers Decking screws 2 inch 3 Permafloat Dock Flotation Drums 8 x 20 x 72
Tools:Circular saw DrillDrill bits; 1/4", 3/8", 1/2", countersink, 1 1/4 spade bit and screw driving bit Tape measure Socket wrench Hammer Clamps Directions:1. Clamp a 4 x4 vertically to the end of a short 2 x 6, with the edges flush. 2. Drill two holes through the 2 x 6 and 4 x 4 using a 1/2" drill bit. 3. Hammer carriage bolts through holes. Fasten with carriage bolts, washers, lock washers and nuts. Repeat these three steps for the other end of the 2 x 6 and the other short 2 x 6. 4. Clamp the longer 2 x 6s into place to complete the frame. The ends should overlap the ends of the shorter 2 x 6s. 5. Drill and bolt these to the 4 x 4s as above making sure that these bolts do not intersect with the carriage bolts that were fastened earlier. 6. Put the 2" x 4"s in place. The spacing of the 2 x 4s should align with flanges on the floatation drums. Put one of the drums inside of the frame and mark the location of the flanges along one of the 2" x 6"s. 7. Set the 2" x 4"s in place within the 2 x 6 frame, flush with the bottom edge of the 2" x 6"s. 8. Drill holes through the 2" x 6"s into the ends of the 2" x 4"s. First use a 1 1/4" spade bit to make a hole about 1/2" deep. Then complete the hole using a 1/4" bit. There should be two holes in the end of each 2 x 4. 9. Secure using lag screws. The hexagonal head of the lag screws should be flush with the surface of the 2 x 6s. 10. Put floatation drums in place and secure with lag screws through the flanges into the 2" x 4"s. 11. Turn swim platform assembly over. 12. Begin laying decking in place. Start at one side making the first board flush to the edge of the 2 x 6. Leave a 1/2" space between decking planks. 13. Countersink two holes at each point where the decking planks intersect with a 2" x 6" or 2" x 4". Secure with 2-inch decking screws. Make sure the head of each screw is at or below the surface of the decking. 14. A sealing stain is recommended to protect the surface of the wood from the elements (we used "Jarrah Brown" from Cabot).
Notes:*The swim platform should be removed from the lake at the end of each summer. This will not only prolong its life, it will also allow the opportunity to inspect and repair it. Plan to give it a fresh coat of stain every year or two.*A ladder purchased from a marine or swimming pool supply store is a very helpful addition. *It will be necessary to anchor your swim platform. There are many ways to do this. The method you choose will depend on the size of your platform, the depth of water and the water conditions it will experience.
Permafloat floatation drums available at: TMP Marine products Special Thanks:
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