Hi all.

I don't have a ladder on my Endeavour 26.

Can anyone suggest a reliable cheap ladder that I can use over the side instead of over the transom. If that is possible to do?

I need to give her bum a scrub and have no way of getting back on. Plus good to have something if we want to go swimming with the sharks in Lake Macquarie.

What are your thoughts on one of these?

I was going to mount my solar panel, that is currently mounted on a hatch lid behind my tiller, onto the back rail. Meaning no room to get back on board from the back. But if I mounted the solar panel to one side and this to the other?

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Boat-Inboard-3-Step-Swim-Platform-Ladder-Stainless-Steel-Rails-High-Quality-/322393053712

I hate using Ebay. But no one sells them. Not even Whitworths.

Hi BJ

I'm in the same situation - I need to get a ladder for my Spacey22. For now I've just bought one of those fold down aluminium ones that hooks over the gunwhales. At only $69 it will be a decent enough temporary solution whilst I come up with something more permanent.

I like the look of the swim platform, but with it being fixed it will need a bit of careful planning to ensure it is low enough to be useable for swimming by high enough not to drag in the water when sailing. And also, it would need to be out of the way of my transom hung rudder too. The advantage of this would be that it would make a nice boarding platform when stepping up from the dinghy.

I take it you are considering the platform for transom mounting - not going off the side like your original question?

Mike

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Microbe said..
Hi BJ

I'm in the same situation - I need to get a ladder for my Spacey22. For now I've just bought one of those fold down aluminium ones that hooks over the gunwhales. At only $69 it will be a decent enough temporary solution whilst I come up with something more permanent.

I like the look of the swim platform, but with it being fixed it will need a bit of careful planning to ensure it is low enough to be useable for swimming by high enough not to drag in the water when sailing. And also, it would need to be out of the way of my transom hung rudder too. The advantage of this would be that it would make a nice boarding platform when stepping up from the dinghy.

I take it you are considering the platform for transom mounting - not going off the side like your original question?

Mike

Yes, off the transom.
I tried one of the folding ones, but it didn't work. Not long enough.
There are plenty of boats mored near mine with stainless and timber ones mounted on their transom. So I'll just measure how they are mounted.

ive got no ladder either and need one badly. That one you show here looks good but can you get in the transom to mount it properly and reinforce that area?
Im being really picky with weight lately. A ladder neednt weigh much but it is on the transom, its extra weight added onto the transom, where theres an outboard and fuel. Same reasons for not mounting a bimini frame. Small boats...

Ideally i want ladder that i saw on some old cheesy american movie based on a true story about a couple who were about to set off on a lovely timber 40 footer then got roped into fostering 4 wayward teenagers. They housed these kids on their boat! Then one of them who was a pyromaniac burned the boat down.
ANYWAY. the ladder this guy had was a basic stainless steel ladder that just hooked over the gunnells anywhere you wanted. It didnt retract or do anything fancy and looked light and easy to manage. Perfect i thought for a small boat. I would happily store this ladder in the cockpit locker while underway below the waterline, and deploy it when needed. This negates the need for drilling, reinforcing and adding weight where i dont want the weight full time.
Ive looked for something like this and theres nothing at WW, or Ebay. Sigh...Looks like something im gonna have to get made - again!

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BJRobinson said..
What are your thoughts on one of these?

I was going to mount my solar panel, that is currently mounted on a hatch lid behind my tiller, onto the back rail. Meaning no room to get back on board from the back. But if I mounted the solar panel to one side and this to the other?

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Boat-Inboard-3-Step-Swim-Platform-Ladder-Stainless-Steel-Rails-High-Quality-/322393053712

I hate using Ebay. But no one sells them. Not even Whitworths.

It's 304 stainless steel ..... Crappy ..... Any stainless on a yacht should be 316 ....

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Sectorsteve said..
ive got no ladder either and need one badly. That one you show here looks good but can you get in the transom to mount it properly and reinforce that area?
Im being really picky with weight lately. A ladder neednt weigh much but it is on the transom, its extra weight added onto the transom, where theres an outboard and fuel. Same reasons for not mounting a bimini frame. Small boats...

Ideally i want ladder that i saw on some old cheesy american movie based on a true story about a couple who were about to set off on a lovely timber 40 footer then got roped into fostering 4 wayward teenagers. They housed these kids on their boat! Then one of them who was a pyromaniac burned the boat down.
ANYWAY. the ladder this guy had was a basic stainless steel ladder that just hooked over the gunnells anywhere you wanted. It didnt retract or do anything fancy and looked light and easy to manage. Perfect i thought for a small boat. I would happily store this ladder in the cockpit locker while underway below the waterline, and deploy it when needed. This negates the need for drilling, reinforcing and adding weight where i dont want the weight full time.
Ive looked for something like this and theres nothing at WW, or Ebay. Sigh...Looks like something im gonna have to get made - again!

I bought a cheap one made of aluminium and plastic from ww ......that in conjuction with a home made rope and timber ladder got me back in the boat a couple of times .... Not sure how long the Aly plastic job will last though ...

This is my side mount ladder with a platform and collapsible 3 rung step

Thats really good jolene. Did you make the wood section then add the telescopic bit?

Really like it jolene. You get a swim platform and an easy to use ladder. Might be a little bulky but its luxurious and worth it! Im tempted to copy that!

That is top of the range Jolene ! ....... I too may copy !

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SandS said..

BJRobinson said..
What are your thoughts on one of these?

I was going to mount my solar panel, that is currently mounted on a hatch lid behind my tiller, onto the back rail. Meaning no room to get back on board from the back. But if I mounted the solar panel to one side and this to the other?

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Boat-Inboard-3-Step-Swim-Platform-Ladder-Stainless-Steel-Rails-High-Quality-/322393053712

I hate using Ebay. But no one sells them. Not even Whitworths.

It's 304 stainless steel ..... Crappy ..... Any stainless on a yacht should be 316 ....

Thought it might be crappy. I actually messaged the seller asking what grade. Waiting for a reply.

Looks hreat jolene.
Too chunky for my little boat though.
I also watched a vid about ladders. They recommended having a permanently mounted one that can be deployed from the water in case you are by yourself and you fall in. Makes sense.

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BJRobinson said..
Looks hreat jolene.
Too chunky for my little boat though.
I also watched a vid about ladders. They recommended having a permanently mounted one that can be deployed from the water in case you are by yourself and you fall in. Makes sense.

Depends how high the sides are. I can climb up my boat without ladder. Its just not fun to do so

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slammin said..
These are popular and removable. There's different types, lengths and alloy as well.
http://www.yachtsofstuff.com/yosproduct.asp?ypid=4892&level=111

That sports/dive ladder looks easy to make in either SS or alloy. In small boats like the ones we are talking about here the pivot point can be close to the deck join and the pressure or support pad can be right at the point where the hull joins the transom and no backing or reinforcing will be required. The important point is to make the first step well under the waterline as in Jolene's ladder. Some yachts the rudder blade can be utilized as the first step. I could probably climb up my windvane self steering gear using the rear edge of the rudder blade as the first step. The tiller would need to be secured slightly off centre though.
When I dive now I use my catamaran tender. Getting back on I just push down one hull at the stern and get on easily. I have a new tender in the works and have a SS fold down ladder I made for a previous yacht that will be used on the transom of the new tender. After learning how to weld aluminium I think I might have to weld up an alloy ladder that just hooks over the middle pushpit rail and can be stowed below on a pipecot when not in use.

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SandS said..

BJRobinson said..
What are your thoughts on one of these?

I was going to mount my solar panel, that is currently mounted on a hatch lid behind my tiller, onto the back rail. Meaning no room to get back on board from the back. But if I mounted the solar panel to one side and this to the other?

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Boat-Inboard-3-Step-Swim-Platform-Ladder-Stainless-Steel-Rails-High-Quality-/322393053712

I hate using Ebay. But no one sells them. Not even Whitworths.

It's 304 stainless steel ..... Crappy ..... Any stainless on a yacht should be 316 ....

Sorry but in my experience this is incorrect.

Any S/S that is in full immersion should be 316. Above deck non-fastener S/S, 304 is fine. You might get a little surface rust but plastic steel wool and fresh water once a year gets rid of that.

We have 304 solid rails on our boat, been there for 20 years. Once a year (usually when it's raining) I clean the surface rust off and they shine like new!!

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Sectorsteve said..

BJRobinson said..
Looks hreat jolene.
Too chunky for my little boat though.
I also watched a vid about ladders. They recommended having a permanently mounted one that can be deployed from the water in case you are by yourself and you fall in. Makes sense.

Depends how high the sides are. I can climb up my boat without ladder. Its just not fun to do so

I thought of making one like this too. i recently aquired a stink boat bimini, which is a really solid, quality frame and the canopy and here in moss vale theres a great stainless welding place where a guy did some welding for me on my spreader. Im still really liking Jolenes wooden/WW ladder attachment. I sometimes have older people on the boat and i want it to be really easy for them to get on and off. THe swim platform idea does it for me. i wanted to make a swim platform but this involves transom reinforcing and weight on the back all the time. Jolenes ladder is ideal. This weekends project!

If you just want to get on the boat after a swim, there is nothing wrong with a rope ladder. But there is a technique needed to use it. Dont put your toe into the rung, you will be thrown under the boat. Put your leg around the ladder and put your heel into the rung. Its easy. Make one for the dinghy too.

I've got something that looks pretty much like this: www.islandinflatables.com.au/accessories/boat-boarding-ladder-%E2%9C%AA-3-step-%E2%9C%AA-heavy-duty-quality-aluminium-folding sitting at home if anyone wants one. Pickup from Drummoyne - first in, best dressed.

Personally, when I'm climbing back in from a swim, I just have to use a couple of lines secured through camcleats, with bowlines tied in the end for my feet. Not exactly easy, but it's cheap and saves on fitting another thing if nothing else!

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PhoenixStar said..
If you just want to get on the boat after a swim, there is nothing wrong with a rope ladder. But there is a technique needed to use it. Dont put your toe into the rung, you will be thrown under the boat. Put your leg around the ladder and put your heel into the rung. Its easy. Make one for the dinghy too.

Agree. But my wife wants something easier!

The more I look at Jolene's ladder. The more I like the idea.

Bunnings and boating shop here I come.

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BJRobinson said..
The more I look at Jolene's ladder. The more I like the idea.

Bunnings and boating shop here I come.

yeah think of the comfort. can sit on the platform and easy as to get in and out and no stress on the boat, no holes to drill into boat. love it.
should be able to make it for about $150. those telescopic ladders are at WW for abiout $87. Some marine ply and other bits of stainless.

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Sectorsteve said..

BJRobinson said..
The more I look at Jolene's ladder. The more I like the idea.

Bunnings and boating shop here I come.

yeah think of the comfort. can sit on the platform and easy as to get in and out and no stress on the boat, no holes to drill into boat. love it.
should be able to make it for about $150. those telescopic ladders are at WW for abiout $87. Some marine ply and other bits of stainless.

Those telescopic ladders are nasty. 304 and rust like crazy.

I added the telescopic ladder because it was too hard for the missus to climb back up the wooden one even with a rope ladder attached to the bottom of it.
It is a little awkward but it folds up neatly and stows in a locker nicely. I will probably make a permanent s/steel one that works on the same principle ,,, my boat is not very ladder friendly.
The missus loves it and now can get back on board just like climbing out of a swimming pool and I feel a bit more comfortable about getting the MOB back on board without inflicting injuries with the gaff.

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PhoenixStar said..
If you just want to get on the boat after a swim, there is nothing wrong with a rope ladder. But there is a technique needed to use it. Dont put your toe into the rung, you will be thrown under the boat. Put your leg around the ladder and put your heel into the rung. Its easy. Make one for the dinghy too.

Not sure I follow your procedure. Can you get a nubile young lady to demonstrate, and take some pics? If nubile lady unavailable, I guess we would also be OK with a scrawny old codger.

I'm a bit confused. The telescopic SS ladders are 316.
www.whitworths.com.au/telescopic-ladder-3-step-top-of-platform-mounting
Maybe it's the duckboard frame?

I cruised for years with a store bought aluminium ladder with plywood hooks fitted to the top to go over the toe rail and two
legs to hold it off the hull lower down It proved to be more comfortable to bare feet than the stainless one and we stored it
along the rail when not in use It was long enough to extend into the water half a metre or so

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Hiko said..
I cruised for years with a store bought aluminium ladder with plywood hooks fitted to the top to go over the toe rail and two
legs to hold it off the hull lower down It proved to be more comfortable to bare feet than the stainless one and we stored it
along the rail when not in use It was long enough to extend into the water half a metre or so

Funny You said this. When i was in Bunnings I say these -

sydneytools.com.au/climbrite-climp8step-multi-purpose-8-step-aluminium-ladder?fee=4&fep=12146&gclid=CjwKEAiAoOvEBRDD25uyu9Lg9ycSJAD0cnBy8A5VnBPWjP5Gb7hdOpI4A_bybR4_pvdrai9EM7Py2BoClA_w_wcB

Fold out 3/4 of it straight, have the top 1/4 folded down so that it sits behind the toe rail, and fix to legs as you have said. This even gives you some ladder above the deck to hold onto.

Fold up and store below.

When we bought our Santana it was fitted with a Transom ladder, but seeing how we are a couple of old codgers, we needed something easier to get on board. So I made a boarding platform from Merbau timber and hinged it below this ladder. I put a 3 rung collapsible ladder under it that can be pulled out when you are in water. This is a God send if you accidentally fall in the water. I put an "S" hook half way along the chain so we can fold the platform up to stop the aquatic life from camping on it.
Boarding Platform folded up


Boarding Platform & folding ladder



Transom ladder

Sam, looks like you had to reposition the previous ladder up a little to fit the new one.Yes/No?

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BJRobinson said..

Hiko said..
I cruised for years with a store bought aluminium ladder with plywood hooks fitted to the top to go over the toe rail and two
legs to hold it off the hull lower down It proved to be more comfortable to bare feet than the stainless one and we stored it
along the rail when not in use It was long enough to extend into the water half a metre or so

Funny You said this. When i was in Bunnings I say these -

sydneytools.com.au/climbrite-climp8step-multi-purpose-8-step-aluminium-ladder?fee=4&fep=12146&gclid=CjwKEAiAoOvEBRDD25uyu9Lg9ycSJAD0cnBy8A5VnBPWjP5Gb7hdOpI4A_bybR4_pvdrai9EM7Py2BoClA_w_wcB

Fold out 3/4 of it straight, have the top 1/4 folded down so that it sits behind the toe rail, and fix to legs as you have said. This even gives you some ladder above the deck to hold onto.

Fold up and store below.

Dunno bout that one.
Ladders that hook over the side usually have some supports that connect with hull. This would be hanging.