Custom step for TIGE boats any interest???

[lightning59]

First thought was why, until I looked at pic of transom. Great idea, hope it works as good as it looks!

[GUY_RPM]

I am not sure right now, I am still waiting on quotes to anodize and a quote from Sea Dek. By top shelf I mean construction and materials. Since you own a Tige' I would assume you appreciate top shelf items. I hope to come in between $600 to $700 each but till I get my quotes I am not sure. All items are machined in the USA.

[txmxer]

Cool idea, but why not powdercoat it instead of anodizing. Anodizing is much better but way more expensive as well. Also for the padding you could use hydroturf which is what they use on stand up jet skis and such. Might be able to save some money.

[Kimber]

I would actually prefer to have it as is - with no finish. See the link below showing my grab handle with tow ring. I have a guy that has powdercoated my handle (and many other things on the boat), and I would like the step to match.

http://www.tigeowners.com/forum/show...t=14246&page=2

RPM - how much for the step as is? I still would like to see pics of it mounted. How do you prevent it from spinning while clamped to the bar? Think I would still be able to use my tow ring?

[GUY_RPM]

I will post cost as is with no powdercoating or anodizing once I have everything completed. For this step to work your grab bar on the back of your boat must be oblong shaped and not round. My 04 24V is oblong and all the grab bars I have seen on the years near mine are the same. My bar is approx 1.158 tall by .815 wide. I reverse engineered the bar so that my Grab Bar pieces sandwich the bar, then I have what I call a slider block that will allow you to be able to adjust the angle of the step a total of 15 degrees (+5/-10) to get the step flat. I am going to assume that the angle on all the Tige boats are just slightly different and will need to be dialed in once assembled. The slider block pivots around a stainless steel shoulder bolt. This step will also allow you to sit on it to put your bindings on if needed. The step is approx 29" long X 6" wide X 1" thick aluminum. I am a tooling engineer by trade and by the use of 3D CAD was able to make sure everything worked together. I will post pictures of it mounted to my boat once completed. Yes you will be able to use your tow ring since it is such low profile, my step does not sit right on top of the bar, it is not much above it but from the look of your picture it appears it would work. Sorry for the long explanation.

[Kimber]

RPM - my 2004 does not have an oval grab handle. Take a look at the link in my previous post - you are saying your handle is different? I am very interested, but want to make sure it will work.

[GUY_RPM]

I just looked at your pictures and it appears to be the same as mine but you will need to look much closer to be sure. My grab bar is not perfectly round, as stated mine is oblong, it is taller than it is thick. I have intentions to make a version that would work on a round bar in the future but I have no time frame for that version. This version will only work if your bar is the same shape as mine. My goal with this design was to not have anything touch the gel coat and not drill any holes in the boat. If you want to discuss by phone you can send me a personal E-Mail with your phone # and I will give you a call, my e-mail address is guy_rpm@hotmail.com.

[Kimber]

Email sent. Now that I think about, you are correct - I remember mine being slightly oval shaped. Still very interested, but I would want to powdercoat myself, so I want it as is now.

[Fire_medic]

I just bought an 05 22v and while climbing around on it I have found it to be a big step to get in the boat so I can only imagine how much fun my children will have. Something like this would be GREAT for the little one's (and me). Some people have asked about plain ones unfinished how much would those ones be?

[foxfam312]

I like it, is it just long enough to still grab the bar on each side?

[GUY_RPM]

I do not want to sell these with out the SeaDek pad that is going on top of the step because they will be too slick and might cause someone to slip and fall. I will sell them without having them powder coated but I would think that the $60 that this will save you would not be worth leaving off the build. I do not have all the cost together yet but will post along with pictures once I get mine back from powder coating. I should have pictures next week. I should have the cost for the SeaDek in next week, I am also getting a cost to engrave Tige' into the SeaDek material.

[kasey200]

SWEET!! interested!

[bigtige72]

Definitely interested, I like the SeaDek idea, with polished aluminum! I was thinking of building one myself, but if someone has it, I'd just rather buy it done! It is a big step, and I'm 6'4"! Keep us informed on a price, if you have a bare aluminum one ready for sale, I'd be interested! Thanks
Bill

[GUY_RPM]

Ran into small problem I had not expected, I have to move the step in toward the boat some and figured out that I may have to beef up my hull where the grab bar is attached as it appears to be flexing a little. I am still in the prototype fase of building the thing but I attached it last week and it looks great. I will post the pictures later this week. I can sell you one with a disclaimer that states that I am not responsible if the added stress on the bar causes the hull to crack. I am going to beef my up as a precaution. I will have two ready to sell soon but as I stated I am very leary of selling. I am definityly going to put it on my boat as I stood on mine and I weigh 180 ish and it worked almost like I had planed.

[Ewok]

You could try adding a foot in the middle of the step, and it might eliminate the need for the heavy duty clamps. If you change the clamps to hooks and add a center bracket with a rubber foot that can rest against the transom and share some of the weight from the grab handle, you might have a product cheaper to manufacture and it might fit more boats than just your style of grab handle. This is just a very rough sketch and I took a picture with my iPhone. Just spitballing.