CD 27 Proper Boarding Ladder

[Richard Gelfand]

I am considering Ocean Enginering's transom mounted ladder. How does one deal with the the stern rail? Climb over or is there a modification or ?

Thanks.



Aldajon@aol.com

[Russ Cooper]

I relocated the swim ladder on my CD27 from the transom to the side of boat, just forward of the stern pulpit. Aesthetically, it's not as balanced; but functionally, it's much easier to use.

I am considering Ocean Enginering's transom mounted ladder. How does one deal with the the stern rail? Climb over or is there a modification or ?

Thanks.

russ_cooper@yahoo.com

[Neil Gordon]

>>How does one deal with the the stern rail?<<

The installation of a stern ladder on LIQUIDITY ignores the stern rail. It's a bit awkward, but I'd rather have an intact stern rail, given that the ladder gets only occasional use. Getting on and off is a matter of going over the rail and standing on the transom. The backstay is a handhold. Be careful if you have a flag mounted... it tends to get in the way and doesn't make a good handrail.

Regards, Neil
s/v LIQUIDITY
Cape Dory 28 #167



neil@nrgordon.com

[Bill Goldsmith]

Richard:

I would think carefully before installing a transom ladder as your only ladder on a CD27. The ladder that came on my CD27 was installed amidships. We've gone swimmming numerous times, sometimes in choppy waters. When it's choppy at anchor, I avoid the stern of the boat while swimming because that overhang can come down and crown you on the head. I tell my kids to avoid the stern as well. I've often thought that if the ladder were there, you'd have to negotiate getting a footing on a moving target. A ladder at midships is at a location where there is minimal motion, even in a chop. My younger kids like to hold on to it at times as a security hold, which would be dangerous (I think) if the ladder were on the transom. The disadvantage of the midships ladder is that it has to be removed and stowed, whereas a transom ladder typically folds into place. A transom ladder would be very nice in still waters.

In a MOB situation I would much rather have the person (if able) climb up amidships rather than the stern if the boat were rocking.

When I bought my CD 27 the removable plastic Taylor Made ladder had permanent brackets installed on the starboard side, just aft of the rear lower shroud. You can grab a shroud to help get aboard.

I know this doesn't really answer your question, but your posting prompted me to state some concerns that were on my mind about this subject.

Bill Goldsmith
cd 27 #172
Second Chance

I am considering Ocean Enginering's transom mounted ladder. How does one deal with the the stern rail? Climb over or is there a modification or ?

Thanks.

goldy@bestweb.net

[Bill S.]

I am considering Ocean Enginering's transom mounted ladder. How does one deal with the the stern rail? Climb over or is there a modification or ?

Thanks.

A fellow 25D owner has a removeable ladder (from West Marine) that is mounted on the port/starbd side. As I understand it, the ladder is stored in the port locker. I like the thought of a side mounted ladder, but I think the part that comes up and over the rail would have to rotate so that it streamlines the ladder (like the cheap ones that you can get to go over the side of boats)for stowage.

my two cents, and I am looking for a ladder solution as well, just haven't found one I like yet. My old boat had a stearn ladder, and I was always concerned about guests/kids grabbing antennas (vhf/gps, etc) and other items on the stearn pulpit.

Bill S



cd25d@clnk.com

[Bill S.]

Bill

I like the description of your ladder. My question is concerning storing it. How much space is required? Does it come up and over the rail or what? And since you said (I think) it came with the boat, can I assume it is from Ocean enger. ?

Bill S



cd25d@clnk.com

[Bill Goldsmith]

Bill S:

The ladder I have is a white plastic Taylor Made. My guess is that it is original (1980) and despite some scratches, is still doing yeoman service. It stores easily in a cockpit locker because it folds. It takes up very little room when folded. There are two "keyhole" shaped stainless steel deck fittings permanently attached to the deck just inboard of the toe rail. On the ladder, there are two hooks at the top with plastic "buttons" that just clear the toe rail and slide into the keyhole fittings to lock in. The only drawback to the ladder is that I would prefer a couple more steps lower as my gymnastic ability is less than it used to be 8^)

Bill G

Bill

I like the description of your ladder. My question is concerning storing it. How much space is required? Does it come up and over the rail or what? And since you said (I think) it came with the boat, can I assume it is from Ocean enger. ?

Bill S

goldy@bestweb.net

[Bill S]

Bill G:

That's what I am looking for!!!! Any clues on where to find one????

BS

The ladder I have is a white plastic Taylor Made. My guess is that it is original (1980) and despite some scratches, is still doing yeoman service. It stores easily in a cockpit locker because it folds. It takes up very little room when folded. There are two "keyhole" shaped stainless steel deck fittings permanently attached to the deck just inboard of the toe rail. On the ladder, there are two hooks at the top with plastic "buttons" that just clear the toe rail and slide into the keyhole fittings to lock in. The only drawback to the ladder is that I would prefer a couple more steps lower as my gymnastic ability is less than it used to be 8^)

cd25d@clnk.com

[Bill G]

I checked the Taylor Made Website www.taylormadegroup.com which has an online catalog. Appears they don't make any ladders anymore.

Here's their info in case you want to inquire.


Taylor Made Products 65 Harrison Street
Gloversville, NY 12078 USA
Phone: (518) 773-9448
Fax: (518) 773-9421
Hours: 8 am - 5 pm EST E-mail: spedrick@taylormadegroup.com

A quick glance at the West Marine catalog reveals nothing exactly the same. The "Folding" ladders in there refer to the steps that fold "up" and hooks that turn sideways. The old Taylor Made I have folds like a parallelogram, and stows the size of a golf umbrella. A number of gunwale-mounted ladders are in the catalog. See if Taylor can point you toward a similar product, and if not, you may have to settle.

Good Luck.

Bill G.



! Any clues on where to find one????

BS

The ladder I have is a white plastic Taylor Made. My guess is that it is original (1980) and despite some scratches, is still doing yeoman service. It stores easily in a cockpit locker because it folds. It takes up very little room when folded. There are two "keyhole" shaped stainless steel deck fittings permanently attached to the deck just inboard of the toe rail. On the ladder, there are two hooks at the top with plastic "buttons" that just clear the toe rail and slide into the keyhole fittings to lock in. The only drawback to the ladder is that I would prefer a couple more steps lower as my gymnastic ability is less than it used to be 8^)

goldy@bestweb.net

[Robin Meigel]

Ditto certain of the above comments on stern mounted ladders. Ladders for recreational use are nice, but they are fundamentally a safety item. Trying to board via a stern ladder in any weather at all is the equivalent of mounting a cheese grater.

Robin Meigel
1979 CD 27 "Pacem"



rlmeigel@aol.com

[Neil Gordon]

>>Ladders ... are fundamentally a safety item.

Don't count on any ladder being of use in a COB recovery. You won't easily get an exhausted (or worse) adult back on board. We should all think through the problem... best is to take advantage of halyards, winches, boom vangs and the like, which are available for ready use. No need to rummage through a locker trying to find and then rig the ladder.


Regards, Neil
s/v LIQUIDITY
Cape Dory 28 #167



neil@nrgordon.com

[Richard Gelfand]

Neil,

What about when single handling which I do often. I am very good about wearing an auto inflatable vest/harness when on deck, put it on when leaving the dock, and do hook up when moving about the boat. However, how would I get myself back on board should I go over while alone? I am not in bad shape, but I know that it would be highly unlikely and probably imposible that to haul myself back up especilly if the auto helm has her and she just sails on dragging me behind or along side. I agree with your comment on thinking ahead as to how one would retrieve a person overboard.




Aldajon@aol.com

[Richard Gelfand]

Russ,

Is this a permanently mounted set up, and did you use the Ocean Enginering ladder?

Thanks

Richard



Aldajon@aol.com

[Neil Gordon]

>>What about when single handling which I do often.<<

I saw one idea where the swim ladder had a latch that could be released by someone in the water. Just had the thought of an emergency rope ladder that could be stowed ready to go, outside the shrouds maybe, and could be released from the water by tugging on a line or something.

>>... how would I get myself back on board should I go over while alone?<<

Lots of people use inflatables as swim platforms. Wouldn't be a bad idea for getting back on board, either. It's easy to get back into the dinghy, and I get from mine to the boat without the swim ladder.

>>... especilly if the auto helm has her ...<<

I'm reluctant to use the auto when I'm alone. Ok if I'm in the cockpit or cabin, but if I need to be on deck, I'd heave to.


Regards, Neil
s/v LIQUIDITY
Cape Dory 28 #167



neil@nrgordon.com

[David Brownlee]

In order to allow a person in the water to lower the boarding ladder on our CD 27, we lash our boarding ladder in place with a loop of line that runs around the pushpit, around a rung of the ladder, and then down through a padeye on the transom, within reach of the water. We make up the loop with a bow knot and run it down to the padeye, where a swimmer an release it, allowing he ladder to fall.

Ann and David Brownlee
"Windrush" CD 27
Havre de Grace, MD



dbrownle@sas.upenn.edu