Stern Ladder - Help with dimensions

[Brian Johnson]

I am trying to put a stern boarding ladder on my boat (CD 26D) and would like to know the dimensions for other Cape Dory ladders
-specifically how far from the top of the ladder is the bend located and about how many degrees it is bent. Also, about how far below the top of the transom is the ladder mounted.

I ordered a ladder from Tops in Quality and filled out the measurements for the stern of my boat and indicated where I wanted the ladder placed, but when the ladder arrived, it was a straight ladder. The ladder is fine in the down position, but in the up position, it will not clear the top edge of the transom to meet the stern rail. Additionally, the mounting brackets only allow the ladder to pivot about 100 degrees in either direction, so even if it did not hit the transom, it would not swing fully vertical because of the angle of the stern. The people at Tops In Quality said they would either bend my ladder for me or make a new one, but I needed to tell them exactly what I wanted. I assume most Cape Dory ladders have a bend in them to allow them to swing up and meet the stern rail-is this incorrect??

[Joe Sakey]

Brian, a stern ladder is on our list, too. Tops in Quality is so far the vendor of choice. I'm concerned they didn't perform as expected. I can't answer your CD 26 question, but not all ladders on CDs are bent; the stand off length makes the difference. Several CDs, including some 26s I've seen, have folding transom ladders. I've also seen a 26 delivered new with an arrangement whereby the folding ladder comes between two separate stern rails to form the back part of the rail. Did you order the teak steps? Let us know your solution, and your opinion relative to TopsinQuality, please.
Joe Sankey
CD 30 Slow Dance

I am trying to put a stern boarding ladder on my boat (CD 26D) and would like to know the dimensions for other Cape Dory ladders
-specifically how far from the top of the ladder is the bend located and about how many degrees it is bent. Also, about how far below the top of the transom is the ladder mounted.

I ordered a ladder from Tops in Quality and filled out the measurements for the stern of my boat and indicated where I wanted the ladder placed, but when the ladder arrived, it was a straight ladder. The ladder is fine in the down position, but in the up position, it will not clear the top edge of the transom to meet the stern rail. Additionally, the mounting brackets only allow the ladder to pivot about 100 degrees in either direction, so even if it did not hit the transom, it would not swing fully vertical because of the angle of the stern. The people at Tops In Quality said they would either bend my ladder for me or make a new one, but I needed to tell them exactly what I wanted. I assume most Cape Dory ladders have a bend in them to allow them to swing up and meet the stern rail-is this incorrect??

[Dana, CD26, Hull #2]

Yes, the original factory ladder for the CD25D/CD26 has a bend in it..
see: http://members.aol.com/darenius/CapeDory/CD25D.HTML and
http://members.aol.com/arenius/CapeDory/CD26.html for factory ladder pics.

It is a four step ladder...with the ladder down it has the bend just above the third step. The lower step or second step can be made to match up to the stern rail top. If the bottom is is matched up then the pivot hinge is almost in the vertical center of the stern (possible boat name block) but the ladder will go at least two steps into the water which makes it easy to board. The ladder also has two hinged standoff posts above the bend to hinge length which acts as the standouts supports to the hull. On my own CD26, the dealership added the ladder one step higher on the hull which makes the second step match up to the stern rail top. This raised the pivot hinges higher, just below the stern toe rail area....if you like, let me know and I will measure the factory ladder for you and provide a sketch...it may take one week...

I am trying to put a stern boarding ladder on my boat (CD 26D) and would like to know the dimensions for other Cape Dory ladders
-specifically how far from the top of the ladder is the bend located and about how many degrees it is bent. Also, about how far below the top of the transom is the ladder mounted.

I ordered a ladder from Tops in Quality and filled out the measurements for the stern of my boat and indicated where I wanted the ladder placed, but when the ladder arrived, it was a straight ladder. The ladder is fine in the down position, but in the up position, it will not clear the top edge of the transom to meet the stern rail. Additionally, the mounting brackets only allow the ladder to pivot about 100 degrees in either direction, so even if it did not hit the transom, it would not swing fully vertical because of the angle of the stern. The people at Tops In Quality said they would either bend my ladder for me or make a new one, but I needed to tell them exactly what I wanted. I assume most Cape Dory ladders have a bend in them to allow them to swing up and meet the stern rail-is this incorrect??

darenius@aol.com

[Dana]

SEE LINK BELOW
____________________________________________

Yes, the original factory ladder for the CD25D/CD26 has a bend in it..
see: http://members.aol.com/darenius/CapeDory/CD25D.HTML and
http://members.aol.com/arenius/CapeDory/CD26.html for factory ladder pics.

It is a four step ladder...with the ladder down it has the bend just above the third step. The lower step or second step can be made to match up to the stern rail top. If the bottom is is matched up then the pivot hinge is almost in the vertical center of the stern (possible boat name block) but the ladder will go at least two steps into the water which makes it easy to board. The ladder also has two hinged standoff posts above the bend to hinge length which acts as the standouts supports to the hull. On my own CD26, the dealership added the ladder one step higher on the hull which makes the second step match up to the stern rail top. This raised the pivot hinges higher, just below the stern toe rail area....if you like, let me know and I will measure the factory ladder for you and provide a sketch...it may take one week...

I am trying to put a stern boarding ladder on my boat (CD 26D) and would like to know the dimensions for other Cape Dory ladders
-specifically how far from the top of the ladder is the bend located and about how many degrees it is bent. Also, about how far below the top of the transom is the ladder mounted.

I ordered a ladder from Tops in Quality and filled out the measurements for the stern of my boat and indicated where I wanted the ladder placed, but when the ladder arrived, it was a straight ladder. The ladder is fine in the down position, but in the up position, it will not clear the top edge of the transom to meet the stern rail. Additionally, the mounting brackets only allow the ladder to pivot about 100 degrees in either direction, so even if it did not hit the transom, it would not swing fully vertical because of the angle of the stern. The people at Tops In Quality said they would either bend my ladder for me or make a new one, but I needed to tell them exactly what I wanted. I assume most Cape Dory ladders have a bend in them to allow them to swing up and meet the stern rail-is this incorrect??

darenius@aol.com

[Dana Arenius]

http://members.aol.com/darenius/Ladder.jpg



darenius@aol.com