Skeeter Step

[rickmb]

Even with all of the storage on a ZX190 we were missing one compartment - some place for trash, empty drink bottles, and shredded plastics.
With the inspiration of the other step by Tom and looking at some other boats I came up with my own design.
It is made of 1/2" plywood, primed and painted. I'm not too worried about it being wood as it is removable and Skeeters drive dry, right?
The finish didn't come out as smooth as I wanted. Perhaps I'll make another one with fiberglass around a wood core with gel coat.
The black non-skid is a $3 rubber doormat from Walmart trimmed to fit. I used indoor/outdoor carpet glue. The tool holder is a plastic clip board cut to shape and then painted with textured spray paint. Added a small bungee cord to keep the tools in place while running. The tray came from one of my peg board sets that I trimmed the ears off of.
With the measuring board in the way (another add-on) I had to make the tool panel removable from the step to wedge it in there.
The paint and glue is still curing and I need to clean up some excess carpet glue so probably another week before I put it to use.
On to the pics:

Before with the new measuring board in place:

[Skeeter185]

Nice job.

[yanknbass]

That's very innovative with everyday stuff we all have kicking around! Nice job!

[crank68]

Very neat work!! Great idea!!

[Tom L]

Nice Job rickmd
The only thing my knee would hurt but you have given me something to think about maybe a cover that opens

[captainrab]

I am going to build a step out of aluminum but not near as fancy as Rickmb. Question is does anyone know of a reasonable aluminum fab shop? Please pm if you do.

[Terryg]

I've looked at mine and thought there needed to be a step there with storage and have thought of doing something similar.

[skeeterfx]

What keeps it from bouncing up and hitting you in the face if you hit a big wave at 60mph?

[rickmb]

There is one screw that holds it down to the floor. It has been in there for two years now and hasn't moved. It is showing quite a bit of wear. Its amazing how much abuse gelcoat takes and still holds up. The paint and wood on my step hasn't held up quite as well. My wife commented how it was wearing this last weekend. Time for it to come out and be re-finished.

[captainrab]

Same story here. There won't be a bottom plate on the step but tabs on the underneath with a hole on the top that provides access so that you can screw the step onto the floor. Cap plugs will seal the hole after your done or a rubber step thats bolted to the step. Carpet for the most part assures a pretty snug fit.
If Rick doesn't mind, I'll take pics as I go so that we capture the process and the outcome for others that own a zx190 can copy if they like.

[13tzx190]

I built mine from pvc plastic deck board from lowes. The board is 3/4 thick , waterproof and very easy to work with.

[rickmb]

I like yours too. I wanted to do carpet but I couldn't get the dealer to get me a scrap from Skeeter.

[rickmb]

I don't mind, please share. I may take some of your ideas and use in mine.

[OkieLure]

[captainrab]

[QUOTE=13tzx190;5856037]I built mine from pvc plastic deck board from lowes. The board is 3/4 thick , waterproof and very easy to work with.
OTE]

That turned out rather nice. I'm committed to aluminum now though just waiting on the time to get it put together . :-)

[captainrab]

The anti skid plate and the ranger plier holders arrived today. Carpet yesterday. Just waiting on the aluminum.

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[Tom L]

Look at were this is going nice job on these steps thought at adding a tool holder to mine . my step as no screws sit in there tight and the speakers help hold it in place hasn't moved since I put it in but I can lift it out with no problem keep posting your pic might give some more ideas on how to make it better Thanks for the recognition Tom L

[captainrab]

Very nice job. Aluminum arrived today. I was so excited that I fabed up the box. Pretty heavy so next week I'll releave a lot of metal and then start carpeting the step. The plier holders serve double duty. It's an access hole to bolt the step down if necessary and plier holders

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[jriltex]

Nice start Cap'nRab! Looking forward to the final results!

[mknj671]

You guys are good with custom fabrication, if anyone wants to make a second step to sell let me know. I am a decent mechanic but have zero skills when it comes to building something like that from scratch and I would love to have one. ZX and TZX are shaped the same in that area so they should drop right in.