Add Boarding Ladder to C 27 - hollow transom?

[Steve]

Bought a folding boarding ladder to add to transom of '78 Catalina 27. It doesn't appear that there is any core in transom. Knocking on hull or from rear locker sounds hollow. Am afraid to drill and put backing plate inside aft locker as it might compress fiberglass hull and inner panel. Has anyone retrofitted a ladder on transom? Any help would be appreciated.

 

[Rob R.]

Yup..

Steve - yup, we have a swim ladder on our C-27. Get this - the PO didn't even use a backing plate. The ladder is simply through-bolted on the transom. I plan to change this and install an andequate backing plate.Anyway - you shouldn't have a problem. The biggest pain I have with the set up is that the transom slopes out as it goes up - which makes you feel like you are climbing a cliff. If you can find extenders for the feet on the ladder, you may find that ingress/egress is much more comfortable.Rob

 

[Garry]

Extenders

I have made extenders for TASHTEGO's ladder legs to get it vertical. I used 1" ss tubing to match the ladder and 7/8" inner tubing to mate i.e., the 7/8 goes into the feet on the ladder and the extenders fit onto the 7/8" tubing all the way until they but up against the original feet. Then drill and tap for screws to hold them in place. I got the ss tubing from online metals at the web site below. They also sell 6061 T6 aluminum plate for backing plates which they will cut to size and you can cut with a circular saw with carbide teeth and easily drill for the bolt holes.

 

[Brian Stevenson]

ladder on transom

I have a ladder on the port side of the o/b motor on my 78 Cat and no problem mounting. I have ss backing plates, I see a little deflection when I climb up, but no cracking of the f/glass. I found the tubing hard on the feet so I added teak steps (1"x3" bolted thru the rungs and shaped at the side to fit the stringers). Drilling the stainless was a challenge, but was able to use a small drill press and a few new drill bits. I find that the stern rail slopes out beyond the stern and so one must lean back to come over the rail. With my single stern rail system, I would like to modify to having a gate like a double rail system or perhaps a section of lifeline across an opening,to provide continuity. Still thinking about a solution. Hope this helps.

 

[Garry]

For Brian

I am going to make a gate in my stern rail. I have purchased a pair of 1" ends from the bimini section of the BoatUS catalog. I will cut out the center section of the pushpit, attach the end fittings (thru bolted) at each side and make a section of lifeline with a pelican hook to bridge the gap. Total cost under $30.

 

[Brian Stevenson]

Garry---stern rail gate in C-27

Thx Garry, I had the same thought for the rail, but I was concerned about the rigidity , considering that it would have only one vertical support. Would you post information once completed? Thanks for the reply...Brian