Mounting Swim Ladder to Hermco Bracket

[Rufneck]

I am trying to mount a swim ladder to the underside of my Hermco bracket. I ordered this swim ladder from Hermco when I bought the bracket so I am sure that it should work but it is giving me all kinds of hell. When I secure the ladder to the underside of the bracket, the lip on the aft end of the bracket does not allow me to slide the ladder back into its storage position. The ladder needs to be almost completely horizontal before it will slide back.

I originally mounted the ladder close to the aft edge of the bracket but the lip on the edge of the bracket prevented the ladder from becoming horizontal enough to where I could slide it back into the storage position. I then moved the ladder forward (farther away from the lip) but then I still have problems because the stainless bolts that I used hang down too much to allow me to slide the ladder into the storage position. 1 1/2" is too short and 2" is too long.

I am currently patching the erroneous holes I drilled into the bracket and I suppose I will be cutting some 2" bolts down to around 1 3/4". I see no other solution. Surely I am not the first one to go through this dilemma. Has anybody else had this issue?

[rickg]

I am not to sure if this helps but I used hurricane panel bolts with low profile nylon lock nuts so the Mrs. doesn’t snag her suit.

[uncleboo]

Can you find a suitable material to make spacers to lower the ladder and clear the lip? I'm thinking some fiberglass hole saw cutouts or aluminum tubing with a heavy wall, etc.

[PackRat]

I installed likely the same telescoping Garelick ladder on my Hermco bracket. Just made two starboard spacers , seem to recall they were 3/4” thick, and used 316 stainless carriage bolts.
Little detail dremel work under the heads to make sure they ended up flush.

[Capt Chuck]

4 Flush toggle bolts worked for me. No issues

[Capt Chuck]

New owner installed hand rails

[PackRat]

Looks like Capt. Chuck had a ladder possibly with more “drop” in the mounting brackets than at least the one I have.
Mine is shrinkwrapped for the winter but managed to get a couple pics to confirm 3/4” thick starboard allowed the ladder to clear the aft lip of the platform. The one downside is I keep the boat in the water for the season and the ladder is so close to the water that it’shard to rinse without immediately dipping in the water when you step off the boat or it just gets splashed when the wind kicks up so the salt takes a toll...

[Rufneck]

This is all great input. I'll find some Starboard to provide the additional space required to stow the ladder. I also agree that Capt. Chuck's mounting bracket does appear to provide a bit more drop than mine (and PackRat's).

Thanks to all of you!

[Mlashb820]

Where can I get a Hermco Bracket? I am restoring my 1971 23 Seacraft?

[KNZ911]

Stoner Boatworks in Miami is the closest you will get. Give Josh a call, he said about 3 weeks from deposit to delivery. Also plenty of clearance for tabs. Need a 30" shaft though. Gonna order mine in a few months.