Boarding ladder suggestions?

[a64pilot]

[QUOTE=davil;2933596]

Originally Posted by a64pilot

We have been using the plastic fender step as a boarding ladder. It lasts about a year and develops tears and needs replac

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what is a "plastic fender"?

Best to post a picture. It’s just a fender with steps molded into it. It comes in one, two and three step models, we only need two but didn’t know that when I ordered it. I got the three step just in case

[a64pilot]

Originally Posted by davil

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having a substantial step like this may be nice to place my knee found, found easier to kneel my arthritic knee and hoist myself than trying to adjust the remaining arthritic joints.

g

My knees are bone on bone, and I now have spurs to grind into the other bone.
I just had 10cc of steroids pumped into each knee.
The thought of kneeling to get on board sends shivers up my spine, that would likely define pain to me.
Amazing how the same issue presents differently.

[davil]

Originally Posted by a64pilot

My knees are bone on bone, and I now have spurs to grind into the other bone.
I just had 10cc of steroids pumped into each knee.
The thought of kneeling to get on board sends shivers up my spine, that would likely define pain to me.
Amazing how the same issue presents differently.

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thanks for the pic, didn't know about them
Agree on your statement about your knees
in my case the knees still are somehow "usable" however my right hip is shut and cannot flex my right leg.
"aging is not for sissies"
thanks again
will check them next time am close to a store
take care
David

[David M]

Make up a Jacob's ladder. They are made of wood and rope and are inexpensive. They are lightweight and collapse into a small package for stowing away.

[davil]

thanks,another idea.

[Jammer]

Originally Posted by davil

What do you use for dinghy boarding?
yesterday fell into the water had a hard time getting back
pics will help

One way

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GQuIJ3D5Kcc

I have a stirrup with a nylon strap on it that I use for getting back on smaller boats that also works and requires less arm strength. Made from a large U-bolt although I've wanted to pick up one from a saddle for a horse for aesthetics.


There are commercial ladders too

[a64pilot]

This what we have on our dinghy, it works, but not as well as I’d like it to, but it’s small and easily stored too.

Boat US video
https://youtu.be/2_iKIoLSM1I

[model 10]

A friend swam up and said "here is how you get into a dink". So he started this backwards thing and both straps pulled off our pos Defender Hypalon dink.

[dfelsent]

We too have the west marine 6 step ladder. The plastic clips that hold it folded were a hazard to shins and toes - took them off. The plastic on the rungs is a bit narrow and rough. Also ignored the mounting clips and removed those screws. Made a lanyard to avoid losing it. But great bang for the buck. We also have a two rung ladder for dockside and Dinghy boarding.

[a64pilot]

I intend to use the WM 6 rung ladder as something to modify, as a scratch built ladder can be expensive.
Hopefully the design will work out, the intent is to make a plate with an “ear” on each side, and the ladder will have two SS plugs welded on the end of the tubes, once the end of the tubes are cut off, these plugs will have slots cut into them that the ears will fit into, hopefully the ladder will then fold over the Lifeline and that will hold it in place.
Plan is to remove the bottom half of the ladder when in a Marina etc. so there is no ladder in the water getting fouled.

Part of what I liked about the WM ladder was it’s folding stand offs.

[davil]

Originally Posted by a64pilot

This what we have on our dinghy, it works, but not as well as I’d like it to, but it’s small and easily stored too.

Boat US video
https://youtu.be/2_iKIoLSM1I

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this is what I will use but will use my left knee (right leg and hip shot),once I get the left knee can grab a line tied to the opposite side and push/roll myself inside,my big nose will be my bumper.
Still have strength in my arms to pull.
For the other video with the acrobatics only if have somebody to untangle me.

[davil]

[QUOTE=a64pilot;2933944]I intend to use the WM 6 rung ladder as something to modify, as a scratch built ladder can be expensive.
Hopefully the design will work out, the intent is to make a plate with an “ear” on each side, and the ladder will have two SS plugs welded on the end of the tubes, once the end of the tubes are cut off, these plugs will have slots cut into them that the ears will fit into, hopefully the ladder will then fold over the Lifelin...........
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you might like to look at Scanmar design,those two ears are tubes that fit into sliding sockets sliding in the Genoa or jib tracks
If you can,then they are easily adjusted and can be removed
Is not in the boat to take pics right now.

tried to copy paste cannot
look at Scanmar International.com and then FoldAway Boarding Ladder
just a design idea

[Pelagic]

Originally Posted by Lake-Effect

Boat make/model? Pictures?

Ditto above, the size and ergonomics of the boat will influence a preferred solution and perhaps some multifunctionality.

My boat has a high stern thus a long ladder, but also because it is a walkin cockpit from the stern it is great for divers/supplies and visitors.
Also this ladder acts as a rigid cradle under the Davits to lock the rib in place
Also it acts as a Gangway at high docks if I am stern to like now at a shipyard.

I also have same side ladder as Ken, but at anchor, the stern ladder is used 80% of the time

[Sojourner]

I think it's pretty established that a side ladder is safer for boarding than stern. There is no up and down banging to crack you on the head. Yes, the stern is fine for a lot of the time, but just when things are bad and you need to get in or out of the dinghy, maybe with bags of beer or other essentials, you'll be happy to have a sturdy side ladder.