casting platform

I saw the custom built casting platform a couple of days back. does anyone have any details on how to make it or where to buy one

I believe that you are talking about my casting platform that I made to sit up on the vantage seat of my PA12. It's made by laying up fiberglass over a foam core just like is used on aircraft parts; the result is a super strong object that really doesn't weigh all that much. I would consider making several of these if there is enough interest. - Dave

[img][IMG]http://i1378.photobucket.com/albums/ah95/uscgairdale/UsingPlatform4_zpsff530c07.jpg[/img][/img]

[img][IMG]http://i1378.photobucket.com/albums/ah95/uscgairdale/UsingPlatform1_zpse75a553d.jpg[/img][/img]

[img][IMG]http://i1378.photobucket.com/albums/ah95/uscgairdale/ViewFromTop_zps5c27f44c.jpg[/img][/img]

[img][IMG]http://i1378.photobucket.com/albums/ah95/uscgairdale/bracing2_zps3396e31c.jpg[/img][/img]

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Dave

Hobie Pro Angler 12 (awesome)
Native Mariner 12.5 (sucks)

Dave - I would buy one of these in a heartbeat. I'm 6'5", 218lb. Would this platform on a Vantage seat be durable/strong enough to support that weight?

The first time I saw your post I thought, how cool is that? Not sure this old guy would be stable enough to balance. An H-bar may help that situation. What is your estimated price point? Looks like you do great work.

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Just a Kid to the End

Since this construction method is based on how composite aircraft are built, platform itself is probably good for around a thousand pounds or so. Most of the weight is transferred down to the deck via the front legs of the vantage seat with the rest along the armrest and down the rear legs. What I was initially concerned about was any side to side wave action wiggling the seat and wrecking it, but I have not had that happen at all and I have used it while drifting beam to while in 2 foot waves here in the OBX of NC. Once up on the platform it is akin to standing in a canoe so there is degraded stability, but I have found it to be very manageable. The advantage of seeing fish sooner has paid off very nicely for me.

It sounds like there is some interest for this platform, to make these there would be a lead time of about two weeks to allow for me to order enough aircraft bidirectional fiberglass and resin. $250 plus shipping. If you are interested, let me know.

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Dave

Hobie Pro Angler 12 (awesome)
Native Mariner 12.5 (sucks)