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Janny · 29-12-2007, 14:05

When we first visited our new old boat, they had a gangway installed from their backyard dock.

However, when we moved to our new slip we found her rather too high to board safely--the first attempt to disembark had me scared to death, floundering to find that 5' ladder (and putting out my hip). Lastly we resorted to a new 6' safty ladder (we stand on the very top) at the bow with more hand holds.

I can guess that we will have more issues wherever we dock--any solutions?

sluissa · 29-12-2007, 15:17

rope ladder?

44'cruisingcat · 29-12-2007, 15:32

What about a removable boarding ladder something like this? Whitworths Marine: Dixon 4 Step Removable Ladder

Steve Pope · 29-12-2007, 15:36

I have seen instances where owners have built proper steps up to deck height, these have been attached to the dock, if you own the slip and can get management to agree that is what I would do.
Or you could make up a mediteranian type gang plank that affixes to the stern or bow and lowers to the main dock rather than the finger.

**Boracay** · 29-12-2007, 16:25

When Boracay was in a similar slip we put her in stern first.

I did need to fit a boarding ladder so I could get on.

Southern Star · 29-12-2007, 16:27

Garhauer marine makes a great removable side boarding ladder (stainless steel with cast aluminum steps). You can even have your vessel's name cast into the aluminum.

Brad

Janny · 29-12-2007, 19:29

Thanks guys, Ed says she's too 'curvy' for rope or side ladder. The Marina steps would be ok to build, but what happens when we're out? Guess a gangplank set to go from the side or bow will be our only solution but hate to clutter the deck...can one be made to fold up?

mediteranian type gang plank?? Can anyone refer me to a photo?

(I just feel so dumb)

hellosailor · 29-12-2007, 20:02

Mygod, Janny, that's a boat with a lot of topsides! I don't suppose you'd consider taking on four or five thousand pounds of lead to push it down in the water some?
[g]

You might try contacting "Tops in Quality", they are marine stainless steel fabricators in the midwest who do a lot of work for manufacturers. I've seen some beautiful solutions similar to a Jacob's ladder for yachts--but that still leaves you with a problem since it can't be moved around from bow to stern to midships, and you'd need some flexibility away from your home dock.

Maybe one of those "Little Giant" or other 4-way folding ladders would do the trick for you. I'm not sure how you'd secure it, that probably would mean some custom work, but at least they would give you lots of options in a "stock" product.

Steve Pope · 29-12-2007, 20:04

Med type gang plank,( because it is most common to moor stern or bow to the dock in the Mediteranian) it is usually 300 to 350mm wide (often a ladder with planks on top) generally supported on a swivel at the inboard end, (A piece of steel or bronze the width of the gang plank with a tab at each end that lined up with a bolt that ran horizontally through the plank with a 25mm piece of round maybe 150mm long welded to the centre of the steel piece that located in a bracket bolted / welded to the toe rail) the outer end was generally supported with a bridle attached to the topping lift or some such that would allow you to pull it up when on board and not receiving visitors. the outer end would just rest on small wheels or be suspended 100mm or so above the dock. they were often made to be dissasembled for stowage when at sea on smaller vessels.

Janny · 29-12-2007, 20:23

HS, she is a Bear of a boat, we are using a lil giant, it just wouldn't bend right, lol, will look into a bigger one.

Steve, thanks-I'll save that for Ed to decipher!

hellosailor · 29-12-2007, 20:31

"HS, she is a Bear of a boat,"
I kinda suspected that. [g]

hatteras · 29-12-2007, 20:48

Looks high and dry. nice boat. You could wait for the tide to go out and th eboat would drop down even with the dock. At times I've had to climb DOWN to get on my boat.