Boarding ladder

jorgeinmiami · #1 02-03-2013, 04:58 PM

I nned to put a boarding ladder on my 20 MA

I'm not as young as I used to be and crawling up the engine don't cut it anymore

So which one?

The traditional teak platform with a folding step or go with a 3 step modern one that you attach to the transom

Both have benifits and cons

Teak platform is always there attached but may get in the way of fishning and it needs to maintain the teak

The 3 step is easier to get in the boat with but then what do you do with it?

Suggestions??????????

castalot · #2 02-03-2013, 07:37 PM

Why not a dive ladder small bracket and easy to store

jorgeinmiami · #3 02-04-2013, 12:14 AM

I was thinking of something like this

http://www.westmarine.com/webapp/wcs...classNum=50354

FishStretcher · #4 02-04-2013, 08:52 AM

With my Master Angler, I bought a Seadog brand collapsible one that has 5 steps on a rope. I tie it to an aft cleat thru the hawse pipe, and stow it when not in use. It collapses to the size of a loaf of bread. It isn't pretty, but I can stow it in one of the bins in the stern, which is a huge plus. I think I paid $25 plus tax in Maine.

jorgeinmiami · #5 02-04-2013, 09:14 AM

I have seen those but can the wife use it?

Still kinda of undecided but.....

I think I'm going to go with the 3 step dive latter it has a way to flip it up and get it some what out of the way

Some have a hindge that will let it ride up in case you forgot to stow it up

I know of some one that made a nice hole in his transom when he forgot and took off and it was swallow and it hit bottom. Ripped the ladder right off

But I may change my mind once I get to the store and check them out

castalot · #6 02-04-2013, 09:16 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jorgeinmiami

I was thinking of something like this

http://www.westmarine.com/webapp/wcs...classNum=50354

That's what I'm going to do at some point

ct9amr · #7 02-04-2013, 11:38 AM

Jorge that is the style I have on my contender and it works great.
I would not go with less than 3 steps.

I can store mine on the euro transom but you can also lock them in place upright.
The Armstrong one I had the plastic steps broke off and it was useless.

If you don't have a platform in the rear (I have a euro transom) I would suggest a platform style so you have something to stand on.
http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-4aygEFiC59...Ladder+640.jpg

jorgeinmiami · #8 02-04-2013, 11:46 AM

Where did you get the one in the pic?

Bushwacker · #9 02-04-2013, 01:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jorgeinmiami

. . .

The traditional teak platform with a folding step or go with a 3 step modern one that you attach to the transom . . .

Teak platform is always there attached but may get in the way of fishning and it needs to maintain the teak

The 3 step is easier to get in the boat with but then what do you do with it?

Suggestions??????????

Why not have the BEST OF BOTH . . . a folding removable teak & stainless platform that you can also attach a ladder to?! You can MAKE a simple lightweight folding platform with some SS tubing and wood planks for not much $!

I made two like the one shown below with a buddy of mine who had just bought a new Seafari. We bought an 8' long piece of 1" stainless tubing (enough for 2 platforms) and a 1"x 8" x 8' teak board (for $35! . . . this was about 1976!); used a conduit bender to bend the tubing. We used his Shopsmith to drill the bolt holes in the tubing and cut the board up into planks. Used SS bimini top fittings, nylon rope and snap hooks to mount it to the boat using existing towing eye and one added fitting. The ropes could be wrapped around the planks to hold it in the up position. Could be removed in less than a minute by unscrewing 2 bolts. It was about 22" wide and extended aft about 2'; my buddy made his a little wider because he was running a narrow I-6 Merc and I needed more clearance for my wider V-4 motor.

If you mount it right at the waterline, you probably won't need a ladder, although that makes it easier for the gals or if you're using a scuba tank. I later added a 2-step ladder that could be taken off by removing 4 more bolts. The platform was mounted low enough that 2 steps were adequate and the support ropes provided convenient hand holds. Without the ladder, I could run with the platform down because it was out of the water when on plane. The ladder would clear the water with the platform folded up, although I also could raise the ladder up and lean it against the rubrail.

This platform was very light and would fold up flush against the transom until I later added trim tabs, which required removal of the innermost plank. Although I initially oiled the teak, I just let it weather because I didn't want a slick surface, and it held up fine. Skip is now putting it to good use on their Bowrider!

Teak is now so expensive, I think I'd use PVC board today for zero maintenance. Don't need the strength of Starboard since most of the load is carried by the tubing and ropes, and PVC is lighter and easy to glue, paint, etc.

eggsuckindog · #10 02-05-2013, 05:39 PM

I have a 3 step Windline, still looks good after 7 yrs, folds up on top of the platform and Susan could get up easily even after her broken leg. You can make it a 2 step by just using a velcro strap and strap the 1st and second together - one of the best products I have ever purchased for a boat.

Haven't seen any on here that would work as good - google it