Boarding ladder - hook-on fittings?

[Duncan]

Does anyone have this style of upward hook?



I'm guessing there would be blocks on the sidedeck at the toerail, with eyes to hook into?

[SPIBob]

Duncan,

Here's an option:

[url]http://www.defender.com/product.js ... &id=189105[url]

Good luck, Bob

[Duncan]

Thanks, Bob, that looks like just the right fitting.

[Lew Gresham]

I have the 6 step all teak boarding ladder.
Here is a picture of the type you should have with your ladder. I believe the brackets were made my Taylor Mfg. My ladder might show up on Ebay soon!


]

[Duncan]

Lew, that looks like a heavy-duty fitting. Was it mounted with the eye vertical, as in your photo? Or would that be clumsy for hooking onto?

I haven't seen a lot of these hook-on teak ladders, although I like the idea.

My best guess so far is that there would be a pair of mounting blocks, the height of the toerail and snug against it, on the side deck? The ladder eyes would mount to these?

On the other hand, the ABI ones look small enough to mount directly onto the toerail.

[Sea Hunt]

Duncan and Lew:

From where did you buy your boarding ladders

Below is a website I have been looking at. It was recommended by another CDSOA member who posted on this board recently.

http://www.cruisingconcepts.com/Boal.htm

I talked with the owner who seemed like a really nice guy. My hesitation is the price tag for this ladders

Also, I would add a telescoping aluminum or stainless steel ladder to bottom rungs to extend the ladder 4'-5' further down - as did the other CDSOA poster. Easier for an fat old f $# t like me to climb up.

[Duncan]

Hi Sea Hunt

I don't have one of these, I was looking for advice before bidding for one on eBay.

If a guy was handy (or had a woodworking friend), you could use this hardware kit and build one?

[Jim Davis]

First the eyes are used in pairs and usually on the hull, as high as practical. Hooking the ladder on is a bit of a chore as it has to be held out parallel to the water to engage the hooks. Here you want a lanyard on the ladder, preferably tied to the bottom rung. They are best deployed and recovered folded in half. The underside of the bottom rung should be ballasted with three bars of plumbers solder, or sheet lead. I know teak is heavy, but it does float. For classic look and comfort in use they are much better than the stainless ones. Stowage is also a mixed blessing. It is easier to lash it on the cabin top than trying to fit it in a locker. The plus side of cabin top stowage is it makes a good place to carry mooring lines.

I have one on Isa Lei and have always used a wood swimming ladder, the stability and comfort has been their strong points.

[Lew Gresham]

As for my ladder, a transit sometime ago at a nearby marina needed some cash quickly and I bought the (like new) ladder.
If I were mounting the brackets I have, they would be through bolted with the two side by side holes facing up. Reason being, you won't be banging the ladder hooks against the hull when installing.
The stainless brackets measure 1 1/2" x 1 7/8" x 1/8 thick.

These look like aluminum and any slight bump or any real twisting force made by the ladder would break off the small tabs. Plus they ain't cheap. HTH!

http://www.defender.com/product.jsp?pat ... &id=189105

[mgphl52]

Actually, their stainless, according to Defender's website: http://www.defender.com/category.jsp?pa ... &id=824295

-michael

[tmsc]

Hi Duncan,

Our ladder looks exactly like yours. The fittings we have are bronze and were made by ABI. They also offered them in SS too. Looking at their catalog it looks like they don't offer bronze anymore. For the bronze look they offer something called a Titan Tuff coating, but I did not find listed what the base metal is. Probably SS. Here is a link to the catalog page:

http://www.abimarine.com/DeckHardware/pages/181162.htm

Michael has already posted a link to a retailer, but they can be sourced fairly easily, so you can price shop

We have two sets. One at each gate. They are exposed, but we have not had any problems with damage. Knock on wood. As far as strength, I am 250 lbs and have had no problems with them.

[Duncan]

Much appreciated, everyone!

I don't have a boarding ladder yet, the photo was just for the concept. I was trying to get the idea of how the upward hooks go, and after all the helpful replies, I think I get it now. Thanks!

(I don't even "have" the boat yet: I am headed down to RI to get the CD 27 in about three weeks.)

I was bidding for a teak folding ladder on eBay, but somebody offered more. I'm back to just looking around for what might be appropriate: that might just be an emergency rope ladder for this season.

So far, re: the "teak folding ladder", though, I am thinking that:

1) The style and concept certainly suit a Cape Dory, and the "Titan" finish looks nice.

2) A 4-step ladder seems appropriate for the CD 27 (low freeboard + limited stowage space)

3) It would be nice to have one that just hooked over the genoa track.

4) It seems to imply having two ladders: one for emergency boarding, and the other one for more civilized circumstances? (The swing-down stainless transom ladders have their flaws, but at least they are always there to be pulled down).


.

[Sea Hunt]

The other day I bought a Garelick (sp ) 4 step boarding ladder at WM for $30. It looked and felt a little flimsy but, being the dummy I am, I bought it anyway.

Today, after sailing, I rigged it on S/V Tadpole. The standoffs were too short. Also the two hooks that go over the transom and "rest" on the deck were too short by a long way. I installed dowels into each aluminum tube that forms the hooks in an effort to get it to rest on the deck/cockpit seat. Finally worked. To prevent it from moving sideways, up down, etc. while boarding, I rigged a line from the ladder to the starboard winch and then to the aft starboard cleat. It seemed secure.

Hot from a few hours of sailing in 95+ degree heat I eagerly jumped in the water to cool off and test the ladder. I was able to board OK but the standoffs are so flimsy that they immediately started to separate from the plastic ladder steps as the standoffs were pushed down below the concave ( ) hull apparently from my weight (205 soaking wet).

I took the ladder home and will try to "beef up" the standoffs, perhaps by inserting wood dowels into the aluminum standoffs and adding bigger screws with washers, etc. to attach the standoffs to the plastic steps.

If this does not work, I will then go to "Plan B" and build a wood and rope boarding ladder as suggested by someone on this board who owns a CD Ty Weekender. He even posted a really nice picture of his boarding ladder. I just can't remember the person's name. Sorry. I would attribute it to the beginnings of Alzheimer's but I can't remember what Alzheimer's is

Anyways, bottom line, the Garelick 4 step ladder is worth about what I paid for it, perhaps even less - $30. It may be OK for kids or petite female adults but I do not think it will stand up to continued use by "stud muffins" like myself.

[Bob Luby]

I had a bad experience with a rope ladder sold to help you board your inflatable. It doesn't work, because you keep sliding under the hull of the inflatable.


You might keep sliding under the hull of your boat. Remember - women have less upper body strength than men. If you have to pull your self with your arms, your first mate may not be able to.

Just my $0.02.
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