Boats with Swim Platforms in the Modern Sailing Fleet | Modern Sailing

Boats with Swim Platforms in the Modern Sailing Fleet

The San Francisco Bay in summer offers an invigorating canvas for sailing, characterized by cool breezes and a vibrant maritime energy. At Modern Sailing, we believe in providing our members with the ultimate sailing experience, which is why we're highlighting some of our vessels equipped with a feature that enhances your Bay Area adventures: the versatile swim platform.

Berkeley's Firefly, Premier Tier Beneteau Oceanis 40.1 from Naos Yachts and Capt. Irina Walker enjoying the swim plaform with friends on a recent charter

 

The Benefits of a Swim Platform

Extending from the transom of your sailboat, these platforms offer a multitude of advantages:

  1. Access to the Water (or Your Dinghy): Swim platforms provide a stable, low-to-the-water entry point for retrieving fenders, or providing access to your dinghy, standup paddleboard or other recreational watercraft. This is especially beneficial for managing in varying Bay conditions.
  2. Enhanced Safety and Convenience: A dedicated platform with a ladder significantly reduces the risk of slips and falls when moving between your sailboat and a dinghy or dock. It offers a secure area to stage gear, making re-boarding from a dinghy a breeze, even in choppy conditions.
  3. Expanded Usable Space: Swim platforms offer extra room for preparing for an excursion. They serve as a convenient staging area for paddleboards, kayaks, or in warm summer days just sitting with your feet on the edge while at anchor or moored listening to Jazz & Blues By the Bay, or enjoying the fresh Bay air. 

Manual, Electric, and Sugar Scoops:

Understand the Differences:

  • Manual Swim Platforms: These platforms typically deploy via a system of hinges and latches, requiring manual effort to lower and raise them. While robust and reliable, they require cooperation from the crew. 
  • Electric Swim Platforms: For the ultimate in convenience, electric swim platforms deploy at the touch of a button. Powered by hydraulic or electric systems, they smoothly lower into the water, often providing a larger, more integrated "beach club" feel. 
  • Sugar Scoops: Unlike a separate swim platform, a sugar scoop is a molded, permanent part of the boat's hull and transom. It is a seamless extension of the stern with a gentle, built-in curve that extends the waterline and features integrated swim steps. This design is a hallmark of many modern cruising boats and racing yachts like the J/105 and Lagoon 40. These vessels inherently provide a convenient and safe area for dinghy boarding and water access without a separate platform to deploy.

Regardless of the mechanism, the types of swim platforms on our Modern Sailing fleet are designed for safety, ease of use, and maximizing your enjoyment on the water.


Our Vessels with Swim Platforms and Sugar Scoops:

Here's a breakdown of the Modern Sailing vessels equipped with swim platforms and sugar scoops. For those eligible to rent a dinghy and/or outboard, visit Modern Sailing Dinghy & Outboard Rental Program for a current list.

LOCATION SUGAR SCOOPS MANUAL ELECTRIC
Berkeley - GOLD FLEET Nirvana - J/105
Resolute - J/105
Grey Goose - Beneteau Oceanis 37
   
Sausalito - GOLD FLEET Chao Pescao - J/105
Chinook - J/105
Andiamo - Catalina 36
Auriah - Beneteau Oceanis 37
Wimm - Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 349
Bora Bora - Beneteau Oceanis 34.1
Traharta - Beneteau Oceanis 35
 
Berkeley - PLATINUM FLEET
 
Moon Dance - Bavaria 42   Firefly - Beneteau Oceanis 40.1
Sausalito - PLATINUM FLEET  

Survivor - Beneteau Oceanis 38
Liberty - Beneteau Oceanis 38.1
Ry Whitt - Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 409

Attitude Adjustment - Beneteau Oceanis 40
Berkeley - CATAMARAN FLEET Folie à Deux - Lagoon 40    

Quartermaster Michael Carney and Capt. Timon Eatherton deploy a dinghy and outboard from Bora Bora's swim platform 

 

Unlock More Exploration: Modern Sailing's Dinghy & Outboard Rental Program

To truly expand your cruising range and explore the hidden gems of the Bay, Modern Sailing offers our new Dinghy and Outboard Rental Program. For those moments when you want to venture beyond your sailboat's immediate reach, our high-quality inflatable dinghies and pre-fueled outboards are available as convenient "add-ons" to your bareboat charter bookings. Imagine motoring into Sausalito for lunch, exploring the nooks of Angel Island, or simply gaining a new perspective on your surroundings – our dinghy program gives you the freedom to roam.

Learn about our ASA 116 Dinghy and Outboard Endorsement course. Read more about this comprehensive one-day program that covers everything you need to know about safe and efficient dinghy operation.

Discover the freedom and convenience you get with a swim platform, and utilize our newest charter add-ons. Book your charter and get ready to experience the Bay from a whole new perspective!

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  • Warren Leiden, Member

    I try to get out on the water every week: out the Gate, around Angel, up Raccoon - I love it all. After 18 years as a member of OCSC in Berkeley, I learned to sail the bigger boats at Modern by taking ASA 103 and 104. My ASA 104 instructor Dave Russell was terrific. Also, Captain Bill Moreland has been very generous in giving informal advice whenever I’ve asked him. Thanks to Bill, I no longer have any anxiety about docking!

  • Steve Hood, Basic Coastal Cruising

    I would definitely recommend Modern Sailing to anyone who is interested in learning to sail the right way.

  • Alisa Driscoll, Dual Site Member

    Here are some snaps of Our Saturday, August 20, 2022 Modern Sailing Expedition with Captain Robert Bivin, who was outstanding. Please convey photos and thanks to him. He is an outstanding individual, leader and sailing instructor. His knowledge and experience made us all feel safe and our Farallones Day Trip educational and just amazing. 

  • Sara Jane G.

    I've taken two classes at MSS&C and was very happy with the program. This is also a great club with lots of opportunities for camaraderie and practice on the water. The boats in the fleet are fantastic and kept in tip-top shape. I highly recommend for all sailors and would-be sailors!

  • John Boynton

    The class was terrific. I know you must get many compliments about your sailing instructors...But I must tell you that Robert is outstanding. Having taught SCUBA, I really appreciate the way he is so sensitive to all on board, dealing with each so well, knowing quickly their strengths and weaknesses making each feel special and cared for.

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Modern Sailing School & Club

Sausalito Location
2310 Marinship Way, Sausalito
(415) 331-8250
(800) 995-1668

Berkeley Location
1 Spinnaker Way, Berkeley
(415) 331-8250
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