Our Selene 47 has a hinged solid swim platform. It is raised/lowered with a simple block arrangement. Not sure why it was designed this way but some "advantages" are: (a) security - no landing platform when in up position); (b) shorter boat for dock length and per ft cost (saves about 2 ft); (c) following sea does not "lift" platform, though this is also accomplished with a non-solid, rail-type platform. Having said all that, I do not think I would consider any of these "benefits" significant enough to change an existing platform. On the other hand, I have not seen any downside to this design, except some slapping in rough anchorages when the platform is left in the down position - we usually lift it under such conditions.
