Fender steps?

[lancs]

With my short legs and lack of confidence I have a real problem getting on to the dock to attach the lines when first docking.
These seem to offer a solution.
www.fenderstep.com
Has anyone any experience with these?
thanks,
liz

[muskoka]

They're good. Make sure any shore shoes are removed before people climb aboard as a black sole will scuff your hull.

But I do wish more builders would take a look at the Lagoons - they have a nice little step built into the hull about midships. A very nice touch indeed.

[Sand Dollar]

We have high freeboard and needed a step up so we built our own. We drilled 1/2" holes an inch in from the corners of a 3' 2X6 and threaded 1/2" line thru, then flipped the whole thing upside down so the rope comes down around the outside of the board, back up thru a hole, across the width of the board, down and around the outside of the other edge - rope won't slip that way and the rope pads the hull from the board. The ropes tie to stanchion bases either side of the lifeline gate. It works real well.

I have stepped aboard a boat or two with fender steps - they work OK, but are not as beefy and stable as my step board invention.

[delmarrey]

I'd think they'd be OK as long as the water is calm. If the boat were moving around I'd be sure footed..........................._/)

[lancs]

Thanks for the suggestions.
We were thinking of trying to construct something ourselves. Yours sounds like a good solution to the problem. We had a similar plan, but were thinking of an end piece of wood to add stability and stop tilting. Maybe overkill :-)
liz

[BobB]

We had a Fenderstep on a charter boat in the NW this August. Even though the docks were floating, the boat had relatively high freeboard. My wife, who is only 5'1" loved the Fenderstep, especially compared to the wooden contraptions on the other boats (we had 5 charter boats in our group). Several people bought them for their own boats back home.

[lancs]

Is there any where to see them other than online?
From googling, I can't find any bricks and mortar locations on the east coast.
thanks for all the input,
liz

[Pblais]

My wife and I got a Fender Step this past fall. They are made exceptionally well. I use three thick lines on it and made the lines extra long so you can use them as both an extra fender or as a step. They are molded seamlessly so they will last a long time and are very strong. I normally like to carry three fenders but this is a bit smaller but works as a thrid fender at times.

I know of no place othe other than the web site to get them.

[swagman]

Hi,
We've had one for three years now and its invaluable.
With our very high freeboard, side gates, and 2 x sub 6 footers running things - its good getting on / off.
Plus doubles as regualr fender on bow when going bow into berths.
And indeed to protect our plum bow when hauling the anchor in bump weather.
Cheers
JOHN

[BobB]

Last season, I also noticed a few boats in various marinas with Fendersteps. Depending where you are on the east coast, spring may be just around the corner. If you are in no particular rush, you might start looking around for boats with them in marinas, once boats start going in.