Alternate and/or Emergency Ladders - Who's Using What?

[Travelnik]

Priorities?

You can afford a big 41' boat, but not a $500 emergency ladder to save your life, or the lives of those you love?

Sorry, I just don't get it.

[HappyMdRSailor]

Originally Posted by scotty c-m

I had the same concern - and came up with a great solution!! I bought a collapsible (four step) ladder, like the kind so see on Bennateaus and other newer boats. Those boats mount it on the scoop portion of the stern - which really can't be reached by a person in the water. I mounted mine on the vertical surface on the aft end of my transom scoop. It is ready to telescope open into the water. I have wrapped a bungee cord around it to keep it up out of the water. To test it, I jumped into the water. It was super easy to take off the bungee cord. The ladder slipped into the deployed position and I climbed onto the boat as easy as pie (3.1475...). I bought the ladder used for about $100, and spent about $50 bucks for fasteners and backing plates. I even left the original ladder on the stern, and it deploys over the new "emergency" ladder, so now I can use either one. The original ladder is larger and more robust, but couldn't be deployed from the water. The new one can.

Stick with the easy(er) pi(e)....

3.1415926....

[Pau Hana Daz]

Originally Posted by Travelnik

Priorities?

You can afford a big 41' boat, but not a $500 emergency ladder to save your life, or the lives of those you love?

Sorry, I just don't get it.

Welcome to my ignore list.

[letsgetsailing3]

Originally Posted by Travelnik

Priorities?

You can afford a big 41' boat, but not a $500 emergency ladder to save your life, or the lives of those you love?

Sorry, I just don't get it.

After a while, those $500 safety items add up to real money.

[Oliver L.]

Thank god we don't have the problem of the OP: We have a stainless steel ladder at the transom of the starboard hull, and, should that ever be unusable or unavailable, at the front the two stainless steel cables holding the bowsprit are low enough that you can climb them...

Oliver

[campuscab]

Originally Posted by letsgetsailing3

After a while, those $500 safety items add up to real money.

My boat cost $1000. I am on a budget and cannot justify spend 50% of my boats value on a ladder.
Please don't get me wrong safety is very important. I have been a cop, done contract security, and bail bonds for years and have spent a fortune on equipment but a have 13 years of playing cowboy without a scratch.
I believe in keeping safe but If something can be done cheaper I am all for it. I am hitting the boat junkyard looking for a ladder. I want to run a couple single handed races so I will have to spend some money. I am going swimming today with the kids so I am building a rope and pvc one now. The all rope one was almost useless. So all the cool stuff for boats are great but some off it is crazy what they charge. I would rather have a new matrix radio than a 500 ladder.

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[campuscab]

Ok I must admit I am cheap. I spent the whole day messing around scraps I had laying around to make a ladder. It is a perfect day to sail so what did I save. Well I will let you know if it worked. I am off to the Marina. Some webbing, plc and chain.

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[letsgetsailing3]

Originally Posted by campuscab

My boat cost $1000. I am on a budget and cannot justify spend 50% of my boats value on a ladder.
Please don't get me wrong safety is very important. I have been a cop, done contract security, and bail bonds for years and have spent a fortune on equipment but a have 13 years of playing cowboy without a scratch.
I believe in keeping safe but If something can be done cheaper I am all for it. I am hitting the boat junkyard looking for a ladder. I want to run a couple single handed races so I will have to spend some money. I am going swimming today with the kids so I am building a rope and pvc one now. The all rope one was almost useless. So all the cool stuff for boats are great but some off it is crazy what they charge. I would rather have a new matrix radio than a 500 ladder.

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I get it. My post was supporting your position.

There's also the $450 Epirb, the $2500 life raft, and the thousands of other dollars worth of possible safety equipment on the boat, so I know what you mean. Not only do you have all those possible items to buy that you hope you don't have to use, you have all the ones that you definitely are going to use.

I like your solution by the way, though I'm not sure how you're going to keep it out of the way when you're not using it.

[Travelnik]

Originally Posted by Pau Hana Daz

Welcome to my ignore list.

Ignoring me because I cared enough to think your life was worth more than $500?

Whatever.

[Pete7]

Originally Posted by campuscab

Ok I must admit I am cheap. I spent the whole day messing around scraps I had laying around to make a ladder. It is a perfect day to sail so what did I save. Well I will let you know if it worked. I am off to the Marina. Some webbing, plc and chain.

Sent from my Huawei Y301A1 using Cruisers Sailing Forum mobile app

Interesting, my mastmate is similar just longer. Don't forget that your ladder might also double as a drogue and emergency steering. Article by fellow members Beth and Evans:

http://www.bethandevans.com/pdf/emergencyrudder.pdf

Pete

[campuscab]

It stored nice. I can put cheap zip ties to hold it together then give it a tug and the should come loose. The small dollar store ones. I am going to try it next time. The ladder worked good. I hooked it to a cleat of the stern. I was able to board easy enough in a 2.5 knot current. It wasn't perfect but good.

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