Remove the swim platform handrail or not?

[99bison]

Picked up a 2001 Launch 22SSV last fall and have been debating on removing the swim platform hand rail.

While it may be nice to grab ahold of it also seems like a minor hassle/danger for toes, kids, etc getting stuck in the gap or even kneeing when climbing in.

After searching a bit it seems that some people have removed the rail for those reasons, however I'd like to hear more opinions on this.

Is it worth it to have on for grabbing?
How many of you have trouble with something getting stuck with it?
etc?

Thanks for any input. :-)

[Jdm89supra]

if its wood yes fiberglass would not recommend it I split my knee open on the lip getting up on it one day

[99bison]

Thanks, it's fiberglass. Ouch on the knee.

[tg0824SSVGG]

I took 1 side of mine off - but mostly because my wife gets on her hydrofoil on the platform, and the bar was in the way. I do like having the "handle" to grab, but have been worried about people/things getting caught.

[DAFF]

I'd be more worried about pull ropes than the bar. I do like it when soaking in the lake and when getting out of the water.

[kvand347]

Mine is from a 2009 Supra and it was already taken off. I have no problems getting in and out and grasping the swim platform.

For those that wakesurf--does that bar drag in the water messing with the shape of your wave?

[CornRickey]

I like mine. It makes it alot easier taking the platform off and putting it on. The kids use it everyone climbing up onto it. Haven't sagged anything on it and it doesn't seem to be a issue.

[cadunkle]

Yours is a different shape rail than the early Supras, but I wouldn't take mine off. It's too convenient to grab on to when getting in or swimming near the boat. I've never known anyone to get hurt on it.

[haugy]

I've had a handrail on every Supra I've had. I've been on them seen 1989, and have seen hundreds of people use it.

Not once has anyone snagged their toes or anything like that. Most people in fact wish they had a handle like mine to hang onto while floating or getting in and out. I'd leave it personally.

[crystal waters]

What Haugy said !!!! ditto!

[jzelt]

I have had an incident with it on. We have a lab/husky mix that loves swimming. Get him out of the water and he stands on the platform to dry off. He stepped back and got his paw trapped. He yelped because something had his foot. Got it back out and no issues since. Now we turn him sideways on the platform instead of facing the bow. Having a little guy (son) on board this summer will make us twice as attentive to it, but having it outweighs the "what ifs".

[99bison]

Thanks all, it stays on unless we have experiences that dictate otherwise!

[DAFF]

It also acts like a small bumper on the rear of the boat. Imagine scraping a section of concrete of a breakwall on plain fibreglass.

[CornRickey]

Boat curb feelers, just more expensive.

[suprasam]

Hey Bison......so what did you decide to do? I say take it off, you dont want that there at all! BTW since your not going to need it, I will be glad to take it off your hands for you! In all seriousness, I am putting one on this season and I found two I liked for around 25bux. I would like to know what you decided though.

[99bison]

Thanks all, it stays on unless we have experiences that dictate otherwise!

^^^^^
It's staying on.

[suprasam]

DAMN! HA, I hate not having one. It makes it would make it easier for my kids/wife to get back up on the swim platform(hopefully). Do you mind taking a pic of the one you have, I just want to make sure I have something close. Thanks

[99bison]

11957

Sure, try this pic.

[haugy]

Ooooh, nice boat. I love those yellow SSV's in that year range. I don't know why I love that color combo on that boat so much. But I really do like those.

[99bison]

Thanx, sometimes I wish it was blue. Maybe more so for the interior, but for some reason the yellow does work in it... in any case I am eager to get it finished up in time ice out here in mn.