2015 Prostar Swim Platform Question

[kirkbauer]

I'm looking at some 2015 Prostars. Some have a wood swim platform (teak?) and others have fiberglass with decking on it. What's the better swim platform? Is it something you can replace?

[BraceMaker]

Can be replaced.

 

Teak is classic needs some upkeep and can easily be sanded and rubbed out to keep up its appearance but needs upkeep.

 

Fiberglass the foam will delaminate, bumps/hits/chips will show up and require it to be sanded and gel coated to repair, not classic, low maintenance, but can look crappy if not well cared for.

[skihacker]

A buddy of mine does my teak platform with cetol every 2 or 3 years, pretty much maintenance free and looks mint but kinda slippery,

[LoopSki]

I think it’s just a matter of preference that one is better than the other. I prefer a teak platform it just gives the boat a better look in my opinion

[DavidN]

Like @LoopSki said - mostly matter of preference.

I’m an old school guy with most of the things, but prefer fiberglass platforms over the teak option.

I don’t think the fiberglass is as bad as @BraceMaker describes it.

In fact it is easier to maintain and won’t scratch your ski when you put it on on the platform. At some point you might need to replace the padding because it will show some wear but that’s an easy task.

BTW - Owned two boats with teak platform and now my 2nd one with the fiberglass swim step. Won’t go back to wood. Ever.

[skihacker]

Fwiw my wife would definitely prefer a foam or sea deck covered platform to save a bit of wear on her elbows and knees.

[RAWSki]

Go with the boat you prefer the platform can be changed. I like the fiberglass + seadek platforms on the newer boats but obviously there are a lot of OLD ballers that still want teak on the back of their boat. Makes no sense to me but to each their own. (I think MC may be the only maker that still offers the choice?)

[Dacon62]

Love the fiberglass platform but the cushioning product, whatever it’s called (not seadeck) tends to lift and curl a bit near the edges within a year or 2 making it look worn out and tired. The shop I deal with charges 4 hours to re and re the cushioning product. That’s $600 CDN/$480 USD labor plus parts. Yikes. Teak can be more easily maintained by the average garage monkey at a lower cost. If you can do the labor to replace the fiberglass cushion pad yourself then whatever but there definitely is a difference in maintenance costs depending on your skill level.

[bikesrus]

We love the teak! We do a couple of minor teak oil “touch ups”during ski season and give it once a year treatment of mineral spirits mixed with linseed and that gives it the base that makes the upkeep easy all year.

[wski1831]

I have teak but would have preferred fiberglass. Teak takes several treatments a year. Not a big thing just another thing. Sounds like you’re buying used so pick the boat you like. You’ll be happy with either

[Cnewbert]

I love teak. It takes very little routine care to keep it looking great. I lightly wipe ours with teak oil and a soft cloth once a week. 2-3 minutes maximum time is all it takes.

[ironhorse]

Definitely just a matter of preference. I had teak on my last boat and ordered my new boat with teak as well. I run a ski boat and a boat for surfing and have teak on both.