R21 Swim platform, why so high out of the water?

[Handy]

Hello,

Why is the swim platform so high out of the water on the R21? Is it easy to get into and out of the water for a swim? It’s almost a diving board!!

 

[PHIL RUDIN]

The swim platform has a ladder built into the starboard side and it is easy to grab the rear rail to pull yourself up. I do it in my scuba gear without a problem. Also when the boat is underway the platform is not that high above the wake. I have a cooler strapped to mine and it keeps it out of the wake.

Phil Rudin

 

[Gin]

Handy, I have wondered the same thing. Relative to the height of the swim steps on other models, the one on the R-21 seems quite a bit higher, both as the boats sat on the hard when I saw them at the Seattle boat show and in pictures of actual use. I have stopped thinking much about it since we have decided to go for a larger boat when we take the leap to a Ranger Tug. But I have read that, for ease and safety of re-entry, a swim ladder should extend into the water 3 feet. Maybe the ladder on the R-21 does that, making re-entry comfortable despite the higher elevation of the step.

 

[PHIL RUDIN]

This is a view of the swim step and it is not that high above the water line. All of the larger Rangers 25 to 31 have a walk-through transom to the platform which is about level with the walk-through. The 21EC waterline is in the water at rest, the other boats it is above the waterline, I know this because we keep our boat in the water full time and the water line needs to be cleaned at least once a month. Note the high rail to help move from cockpit to platform and to grab getting out of the water. I am over 6'2 and I can assure you the ladder is long enough for a person of my height.

Click to enlarge image.

Phil Rudin

 

[tlkenyon]

Because when you are at speed (6-7 kts), the swim platform is right at the water surface, any lower, and it is underwater.

 

[Handy]

Thank you!!!
The information really helps.