casting platform

dmc84dds

GreatGrady Captain
Joined
Sep 11, 2025
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Age
66
Model
Freedom 255
Does anyone have advice on how to build a removable casting platform for
a 2013 255 Freedom? Material and design?
 
Is this to be aesthetically pleasing or just functional?

Could be as simple as a couple pieces of plywood. You could put some neoprene strips (or anything similar)on the bottom side... or even go crazy and cover it in carpet. You could also epoxy the wood (and, if you wanted, use some glass) - and then paint and add non-skid for the top side.

PVC board is an option. HDPE board is an option. With PVC, you can strengthen unsupported areas by gluing another piece/strip of board to the area or even using L-channel. For HDPE you can't glue - so use thru-bolts. I'd still use some thru-bolts with the PVC, as well, though.
 
Can't use starboard or any plastic board, it needs to be structural to hold the weight. I'd use 3/4" plywood, router everything and support on the backside with wood support strips (glued and screwed). The big thing will be weight and storage when not desired.
 
I saw a nice looking homemade platform last year on a Worldcat that was made out of PVC Sheet / board with two 1" SS tubes underneath for support. It was very stable / strong. The 1" SS pipe sat in a cradle that were attached to the edges of the seats. Very slick install and did not move.
 
HDPE and PVC board are both widely used for this purpose - hence the reason I mentioned it

The only structural area of concern is the middle area between the seats. But the ideas I mentioned above will solve that (and have solved it). And I'm sure there are other good ideas.