The Albin 32-plus-2’s stern has an extended run- ûning surface that doubles as a swim-platform.

Swimplatforms can be simple affairs that bolt onto the transom. Except for their hardware, they are entirely clear of the water. The bolt-on gives the owner the choice of whether to order his boat with or without a swimplatform. A hard-core fisherman will likely not want one, since it projects well aft of the transom and interferes with playing and landing fish. Add-ons can be used on either lower-unit (outboard or sterndrive) or inboard-powered boats.

Swimplatforms that are integral to the hull are stronger than the add-on types. But since they're part of the original laminate, some flexibility is lost. You can’t order the boat without the platform, and it can’t…