Are you ready to take a swim?

Depending on your style of boating and the type of boat you own, if your boat is not equipped with a stern platform (referred to by some as a “swim step” or “swim platform”) there are several reasons why you might want to install one.

Why install a stern platform?

If you want to be able to easily enter the water and take a swim, a stern platform is a must. Conversely, installing a stern platform makes it a heck of a lot easier to exit the water and get back on the boat. Divers also appreciate stern platforms which provide a place to temporarily rest heavy gear (like a scuba tank or weight belt) so that they can more easily get back on a boat after a dive.

Another very important reason to install a stern platform is to make it easier to recover an overboard crew member should (perish the thought) that event ever occur.

Ensure that your stern platform's ladder is easy to use.

One caveat regarding stern platform installations is that they should be equipped with a fold-down ladder that puts at least two rungs below the water’s surface. Unfortunately, many swim steps (including some that we sell) only have a one-rung ladder, which depending on your weight and level of conditioning can be extremely difficult to use. For this reason, we suggest you consider stern platforms that are equipped with a two-rung ladder—or that you purchase a stern platform without a ladder and then equip it with a ladder yourself.