Boarding Ladder

[Chip]

I was kind of scared to post a new topic under the above subject based upon the exchanges that occurred under a previous thread with the same subject line. Having read that thread, I now see why Bill got a little defensive at my unintentionally inappropriate joke about kickbacks. Had I read the previous thread, I never would have made the joke.

Anyway, my factory swim ladder has no method of being secured other than through a bungee cord or line that one might attach wherever convenient. I had no such line attached to my swim ladder as a matter of course. So, even though I placed it in the up position, it dropped and I backed up with it on the ground. bent it in half. Don't try this at home. Secure your ladder at all times, even if only turning around in your yard. Bill, how much for a new ladder? I haven't seen the damage yet, but I am told that the bolts or whatever attaches the ladder to the hull are fine. That suggests that I didn't damage the hull and only damaged the ladder itself. Thanks.

[John Hill]

Keep in mind too, that bungees wear out - replace yours before it does.

[Chip]

Thanks. Didn't think of that, either. Your photo didn't work. Chip

[Frank C]

. . . my factory swim ladder has no method of being secured other than through a bungee cord or line that one might attach wherever convenient.

The swim ladder installed by my dealer had a spring gripper to hold it up, a formed piece of spring steel like you'd see on the garage wall to grip and hang a broomstick.

The placement of my ladder is identical to the one pictured on "Sweet Dream." The ladder's is in that perfect spot ... making it intuitive to grab hold and hoist oneself onto the trailered boat from the parking lot, but of course the spring gripper won't support that use. As a newbie boat owner years ago, I mentioned this to my dealer one day (Gene Arena) when dropping the rig for some minor upgrades or repairs. My comment was totally without expectation.

But when I picked up the boat a couple of days later, they had drilled holes through the spring clip and inserted a thin, ball-detent pin that holds the ladder up - no matter the force applied. No request - no charge - nice touch. Reminded me of that one, single time I picked up my car after warranty work, and found it freshly carwashed and gleaming. Nice touches.

[norbert]

do NOT bungee your boarding ladder or even secure it with a pin! this can be fatal! the boarding ladder - as it s name says - has eventually to be operated by a person in the water. imagine you to fall overboard and have no way out of the drink cos your ladder is bungeed (this can even happen in the marina at night - we had a similar case last year when a skipper was drowned in the middle of the harbour!). i have the factory ladder and it holds easily up with the bolts fairly tight but remains in the reach of a person in the water.

[Chip]

Your point is well taken, Norbert, but my ladder bolts were tight, too, and the thing still fell from time to time. I am talking about when trailering and storing ONLY. I agree with you - when you are putting her in the water, set the ladder free. When you are taking her out, tie her up. Fair enough? That would be my advice. I certainly didn't mean to suggest taht the ladder should be secured while under way.

Chip S.

[norbert]

ok, i agree!

[dclark]

I'd be willing to bet that in most cases of bent ladders, it's not that they fell and then someone backed up, but rather someone used it and left it down and latter backed up. That was how I bent mine.

[Catigale]

Im trying to find a source for a stainless steel 'gripper' for my ladder like in this thread - I want one that a POB can pull the ladder from when needed of course.

Blank stares from the West Marine guy today...

Anyone have a source? PM me if you wish

Agree that securing ladder in trailer mode and boating mode need to be completely different

[Frank C]

Regarding the stainless gripper ... I'd look first at Home Depot. Any simple plastic broomstick gripper can do the job. Pretty sure mine is just attached to the aft quarter with a wood screw. And I imagine the stainless one came from the ladder fab - Railmakers.

Place the gripper to hold the center (horizontal) ladder rung. Regarding the pin ... can't say I'm too concerned about the pinned ladder. Anyone can reach from the water and pull the pin ... but whatever floats yer fancy.

[HERNDON]

How do you guys pull your ladder up? I bungee mine and usually have
just fished for it with the bungee cord and then pulled it up. Last season,
The bungee was not hooked good so as I pulled it up it smacked my glasses...
lost my clip on sun glasses ...eyes were ok...Did I learn nope... the following
weekend same problems but the hook nailed my pinky finger......

Stupid is as stupid does...

Rob

[ALX357]

i keep a thin line tied to the center rung, with the other end tied at the rudder cleat. my ladder looks a bit different and is between the portside rudder and the motor. easier to board on the trailer - (rudders up) but not as good when swimming i guess.