Boarding ladder suggestions?

[Chotu]

The stern of my mono hull is just enormous. It has a folding boarding ladder that does not work well at all. It folds down from deck level. Into the water.

It is a big stainless steel contraption that is very difficult to use.

We need to get up and down either the Stern or possibly amidships. The stern is preferable as it protects you from oncoming waves when at anchor or a morning.

So, I am looking for some kind of ladder that either hooks on, or maybe a rolling ladder. Something I can put on and takeoff when we are using the dinghy. Which is all the time. We pretty much never go swimming.

[Kenomac]

We use one of these midship. Cost is less than $200 at West Marine. Very sturdy and foldable.

[Lake-Effect]

Originally Posted by Chotu

The stern of my mono hull is just enormous. It has a folding boarding ladder that does not work well at all. It folds down from deck level. Into the water.

It is a big stainless steel contraption that is very difficult to use.

We need to get up and down either the Stern or possibly amidships. The stern is preferable as it protects you from oncoming waves when at anchor or a morning.

So, I am looking for some kind of ladder that either hooks on, or maybe a rolling ladder. Something I can put on and takeoff when we are using the dinghy. Which is all the time. We pretty much never go swimming.

Boat make/model? Pictures?

[jstevens]

I prefer the mid-ship ladder. For me it is a lot easier to get into and out of a dinghy at mid-ship than at the stern. My ladder connects to the genoa track and is removable when under way.
My exerience with a stern ladder is that is generally longer and more difficult to climb. Also the stern moves up and down with chop and wakes in an anchorage. The main advantage of the stern ladder is that it facilitates getting the dinghy connected to stern davits.

John

[Discovery 15797]

I agree with JStevens. Depending on size/weight of your boat a mid-ship boarding ladder is usually a much better alternative; esp. in bouncy anchorages.

I have a mid-ship ladder similar to JStevens that detaches from the toe rail when not in use (or can fold up at the gate), and also a 2 section stern ladder. The stern ladder facilitates attaching/detaching dinghy when she is on the davits, and also as an emergency boarding ladder by trailing a short line when at sea so the ladder can be deployed by someone in the water.

[toddster8]

A boarding ladder (from small craft) and a swim ladder may have conflicting requirements. A swim ladder should have a couple of rungs, at least, submerged. Even then, that first step is a big one. For dingy boarding (or a step from the dock) I've been toying with a one-step affair that folds down from the midship lifeline gate. Results haven't yet been very pleasing, but I think it's the right track.

[RaymondR]

You definitely need one permanently mounted on the transom that can be used to climb back aboard if you fall in. My boat had one of those stainless steel monsters which folded up and had to be tied up otherwise it dragged in the water and made an annoying bumping noise when underway. It also had timber treads which got slimey if I stayed at anchor a week or so and the narrow treads were hard on my bony old feet.

I replaced it with the one in the image, making it short enough to stay up out of the water whilst underway but still usable to get back aboard from in the water. It is held folded by the line on the cleat which allows it to be un-cleated by a swimmer and folded down.

It's bulkier and uglier than it's SS predecessor but much more practicable.

[dfelsent]

We have two letters plus an emergency ladder. One is two steps for Dinghy boarding or dock. The other is a West Marine like kenomac’s.

[davil]

Originally Posted by dfelsent

We have two letters plus an emergency ladder. One is two steps for Dinghy boarding or dock. The other is a West Marine like kenomac’s.

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

[a64pilot]

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

A single step on a line that is attached inside of the dinghy, it lets you get up high enough to flop in o roll in if you will.
A real ladder is too big for us.

[davil]

thanks
was thinking along those lines

[a64pilot]

Originally Posted by toddster8

A boarding ladder (from small craft) and a swim ladder may have conflicting requirements. A swim ladder should have a couple of rungs, at least, submerged. Even then, that first step is a big one. For dingy boarding (or a step from the dock) I've been toying with a one-step affair that folds down from the midship lifeline gate. Results haven't yet been very pleasing, but I think it's the right track.

We have been using the plastic fender step as a boarding ladder. It lasts about a year and develops tears and needs replacing.
I’m having a 6 step West Marine ladder modified to put on our boat at the boarding gate midship. It when unfolded should have one step at water line and two under the water line.
For just a boarding ladder when we are in a Marina etc. I intend to remove the bottom half where they bolt together and the ladder folds, that will keep any from being under the waterline and accumulating growth.
I may replace the bolts with pins, depending on how often we will swap back and forth.

We found that in our last / first trip to the Bahamas that having not having an easy way to get back on board really reduced how often we swam.
We had to board the dinghy which isn’t easy, and from there get into the big boat.

I was and am still considering a small swim platform, it’s only real use would be a good place to mount a dive ladder, I wouldn’t need it for anything else.

[a64pilot]

Originally Posted by toddster8

For dingy boarding (or a step from the dock) I've been toying with a one-step affair that folds down from the midship lifeline gate. Results haven't yet been very pleasing, but I think it's the right track.

High dollar solution, maybe use it as a pattern to build your own.
Of google fender step, they come in one, two, or three step models

[davil]

[QUOTE=a64pilot;2933583]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"?

I installed a folding ladder (custom made) from Scanmar the Monitor windvane makers.
Have to replace the lifelines to have a gate added it needed to replace them anyway
The ladder is well made, expensive,the jury still out as to how much is better than a regular already made removable.

[davil]

Originally Posted by a64pilot

High dollar solution, maybe use it as a pattern to build your own.
Of google fender step, they come in one, two, or three step models
Attachment 196160

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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.
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