Swim Ladders for CD 33

[Sue]

Hello,

We are new CD owners.

My husband is interested in a swim ladder for our CD 33 that will not require brackets in the deck, a hanging ladder, one that will have five steps and "fit" the CD.

We have not seen anything like this in the catalogues. Is there such a swim ladder?

Thanks for your ideas,

Sue Schurer



schurer@sunlink.net

[Paul D.]

Sue,

We are new 33 owners as well. We have a swim ladder on the transom built into the stern rail. It is not always the best for getting on the boat in swells and such, especially from our wooden dinghy. I usually crawl or hop up the side at the gate. I saw an Edson boarding step that would be very helpful and not mar the topsides. Pricey though. I reckon I could build one of these out of wood for a lot less and even add two steps.

I would check the Edson catalog to see if it will work for you. You may get other, better suggestions from this bulletin board.

All the best,
Paul Danicic
CD 33 #77 Christine Lynn
Grand Marais, MN



Menogyn@YMCAmpls.org

[Mario]

Sue--

Welcome to the world of CD owners.

We have a CD30 that came with a mounted stern swim ladder. Until this year we never used it because this is the first year we've been able to swim--no jellyfish in the Bay! It is also very awkward to clamber over the stern rail to climb into the dinghy or back into the boat after a swim. We solved the problem with a QuickStep boarding ladder from BoatUS. It hooks to the stanchions and it is just low enough to provide an extra step from the dinghy through the opening in the lifelines. They also make a two-step model which might be enough if you have a line overboard to help pull yourself up.

We also purchased, but have not yet tried, a five step rope boarding ladder. The problem with rope ladders is that there is no standoff and they can be tricky to climb. But for occasional use they might be adequate. We'll let you know if it works.

Mario
s/v Rhapsody
CD30 #252
Regent Point, VA

Hello,

We are new CD owners.

My husband is interested in a swim ladder for our CD 33 that will not require brackets in the deck, a hanging ladder, one that will have five steps and "fit" the CD.

We have not seen anything like this in the catalogues. Is there such a swim ladder?

Thanks for your ideas,

Sue Schurer

capedory252@aol.com

[Al Smith]

We have an '84 CD33 with a stern ladder and have had no problems at all with it. I supppose if it were really rough I would have to time my getting onto the ladder from my dinghy, but I've never had a problem with it. Now, the fiberglass dinghy we USED to have is another story.... I would suggest that you live with it for a season of use and then decide on replacing it.

Al



saylr@adelphia.net

[warren moore]

Sue--

Welcome to the world of CD owners.

We have a CD30 that came with a mounted stern swim ladder. Until this year we never used it because this is the first year we've been able to swim--no jellyfish in the Bay! It is also very awkward to clamber over the stern rail to climb into the dinghy or back into the boat after a swim. We solved the problem with a QuickStep boarding ladder from BoatUS. It hooks to the stanchions and it is just low enough to provide an extra step from the dinghy through the opening in the lifelines. They also make a two-step model which might be enough if you have a line overboard to help pull yourself up.

We also purchased, but have not yet tried, a five step rope boarding ladder. The problem with rope ladders is that there is no standoff and they can be tricky to climb. But for occasional use they might be adequate. We'll let you know if it works.

Mario
s/v Rhapsody
CD30 #252
Regent Point, VA

Mario,

It's interesting to see your comment on "no jellyfish in the bay".We have the same situation here on Peconic Bay on Long Island. The entire month of August has been free of jellyfish. Normally the bay is loaded making swimming almost impossible.I've lived in this area most of my life and don't remember anything like this before. Very strange! But nice.
Warren Moore
CD 28 Crisscross

Hello,

We are new CD owners.

My husband is interested in a swim ladder for our CD 33 that will not require brackets in the deck, a hanging ladder, one that will have five steps and "fit" the CD.

We have not seen anything like this in the catalogues. Is there such a swim ladder?

Thanks for your ideas,

Sue Schurer

wwmoore@hotmail.com

[Mario]

Apparently it has something to do with rainfall and salinity. I have seen but one all season. I don't miss them--it's wonderful to drop anchor and jump into the water after a hot day sailing. We even had 20+ people swimming during our yacht club's recent starburst raftup.

Has anyone tried SafeSea, which purports to protect against jelly stings? I've seen it at BoatUS.

Mario

Mario,
It's interesting to see your comment on "no jellyfish in the bay".We have the same situation here on Peconic Bay on Long Island. The entire month of August has been free of jellyfish. Normally the bay is loaded making swimming almost impossible.I've lived in this area most of my life and don't remember anything like this before. Very strange! But nice.
Warren Moore
CD 28 Crisscross

capedory252NOSPAM@aol.com

[Jim Alexander]

Hello,

We are new CD owners.

My husband is interested in a swim ladder for our CD 33 that will not require brackets in the deck, a hanging ladder, one that will have five steps and "fit" the CD.

We have not seen anything like this in the catalogues. Is there such a swim ladder?

Thanks for your ideas,

Sue Schurer

Yes Susan, there is such a ladder. It mounts to the starboard track right at the exit where you want it. I had one made 4 years ago and since we have lived aboard for the last year it has got a workout. You don't want one on the stearn because you can't use it in any waves.
Now the bad news. It is expensive but I would buy another; it is always in place when we are out and can be as long as you want. This company advertises in Cruising World:
Mystic Staninless and Aluminum LLC, foldaway@mysticstainless.com,
www.mysticstainless.com

Mine required some adjusting because they made the legs symetrical and one leg needs to be shorter to accomidate the curvature of the hull.
Fair winds and happy sailing,
Jim Alexander
Ragtime CD33 #101



jimalex@earthlink.net

[mike]

i used to have a stern ladder but it was taken over by "windy" our windvane.

relocating the ladder and then having room to stow it while underway (we just completed a 10 month voyage) presented a problem.

the solution for us was to make a teak stepped rope ladder that attaches to the base of the shrouds like the steps from boat us.

the raw teak gives good traction and provides the proper cushioned standoff. i wrap two ankle weights around the bottom rung and it hangs nicely below the water. primitive it is, but it stows very easily.

sail on 33's
mike

Hello,

We are new CD owners.

My husband is interested in a swim ladder for our CD 33 that will not require brackets in the deck, a hanging ladder, one that will have five steps and "fit" the CD.

We have not seen anything like this in the catalogues. Is there such a swim ladder?

Thanks for your ideas,

Sue Schurer

lavida@seascan.com