Unusual Boarding Ladder
Moderator: Jim Walsh
Unusual Boarding Ladder
Does anyone else have this type of boarding ladder? I was wondering how functional it is, it seems like a lot of stress to put on one stanchion.
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Happily sailing Cape Dory 28 hull# 343
On the Great Lakes out of our home port of Huron, Ohio
On the Great Lakes out of our home port of Huron, Ohio
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Re: Unusual Boarding Ladder
I think the lack of responses on this one is an indication no one has seen a boarding ladder like this. I'll reserve judgment on whether it puts too much stress on one stanchion. That tubular steel hoop with the rubber pad just might keep the boarding ladder oriented correctly to keep stanchion in compression. I will say, I've seen a lot simpler boarding ladders that work just fine. I'm curious what happens to the hinge after a couple years exposed to salt spray.
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Re: Unusual Boarding Ladder
I’ve not seen any like that. They are usually stern-mounted folding ladders, or mounted from the T-track on the side of the boat like this one:
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Greenline 39 Electra
Rahway, NJ
Raritan Bay
CDSOA Associate Member #265
Founding member of Northeast Fleet
Former owner of CD32 Realization, #3 (owned from 1995-2022)
Greenline 39 Electra
Rahway, NJ
Raritan Bay
Re: Unusual Boarding Ladder
I've seen pics of ladders like that but never in person. Here, Patrick Childress discusses his at 17:30 in this tour of his Valiant 40: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vT6qZtij6us
As an engineer, I'd say your observation about the design are spot on. There is nothing inherently wrong with the principle but the extra loading on the stanchion would need to be taken into account in order to ensure no problems. I would be surprised if what we are seeing there were as solid as I personally would want it to be, starting with the stanchion/deck connection and lack of an athwartships brace. More than one stanchion base (even without a ladder) has had leaking issues; adding a ladder certainly doesn't help.
As an engineer, I'd say your observation about the design are spot on. There is nothing inherently wrong with the principle but the extra loading on the stanchion would need to be taken into account in order to ensure no problems. I would be surprised if what we are seeing there were as solid as I personally would want it to be, starting with the stanchion/deck connection and lack of an athwartships brace. More than one stanchion base (even without a ladder) has had leaking issues; adding a ladder certainly doesn't help.
Tod Mills
Montgomery 17 "BuscaBrisas", Sandusky, OH (with trips elsewhere)
Tartan 26 project boat
Cape Dory admirer
Montgomery 17 "BuscaBrisas", Sandusky, OH (with trips elsewhere)
Tartan 26 project boat
Cape Dory admirer
Re: Unusual Boarding Ladder
Tod thanks so much for posting the link to that video. Patrick Childress’s boat was great. The ladder seemed fine after twelve years of cruising, serious bluewater cruising. I sent Childress note asking him about his experience with his swing ladder. Thanks again.
Happily sailing Cape Dory 28 hull# 343
On the Great Lakes out of our home port of Huron, Ohio
On the Great Lakes out of our home port of Huron, Ohio
Re: Unusual Boarding Ladder
Hey Tod I live in Huron, Ohio
Happily sailing Cape Dory 28 hull# 343
On the Great Lakes out of our home port of Huron, Ohio
On the Great Lakes out of our home port of Huron, Ohio
Re: Unusual Boarding Ladder
Small world! I live down in Ashland but sail out of Sandusky....or will again after I get my project boat back in the water.Capt Rich wrote:Hey Tod I live in Huron, Ohio
Tod Mills
Montgomery 17 "BuscaBrisas", Sandusky, OH (with trips elsewhere)
Tartan 26 project boat
Cape Dory admirer
Montgomery 17 "BuscaBrisas", Sandusky, OH (with trips elsewhere)
Tartan 26 project boat
Cape Dory admirer
Re: Unusual Boarding Ladder
Thanks everyone for your input. I have decided to keep ladder for now based on a recommendation from a bluewater cruiser using the same ladder. At a suggestion of CDSOA forum member Tod I watched a YouTube video of Patrick Childress. Patrick got back to me; forty years with no issues and no leaks from bedded bolts on his forty year old Valiant 42’ currently sailing around the world.
Happily sailing Cape Dory 28 hull# 343
On the Great Lakes out of our home port of Huron, Ohio
On the Great Lakes out of our home port of Huron, Ohio
Re: Unusual Boarding Ladder
Hi Capt Rich,
I just viewed the video of the Valiant 40 and it does have athwartship braces that attach to the toe rail which would explain why it has worked without leaking or other damage. On yours it looks like it would be difficult to add them but maybe you can come up with something.
Keith
I just viewed the video of the Valiant 40 and it does have athwartship braces that attach to the toe rail which would explain why it has worked without leaking or other damage. On yours it looks like it would be difficult to add them but maybe you can come up with something.
Keith