Boarding a center cockpit boat
- Thread starter atrometer
- Start date
How about a small folding step stool that you can lash to the deck or stow below when you are underway?
Rope ladders, some with wood steps, which hang from the stantions or toenail are commercially available or can easily be made.
If I am boarding from a dock I like to have something to grab on the boat - with or without steps. That's why I typically board any boat from a dock by grabbing a shroud, putting a foot on the rail and hoisting myself up. So even if there are steps I would want them at the shrouds not at the cockpit. Many boats drop their lifelines in the cockpit area for easier boarding. But that leaves little to grab. If some Tuna steps off the floating dock as you step onboard there's not much you can do except hopefully grab a piece of boom, if you're lucky.
For away situations a milk crate works pretty well and doubles as storage away from the dock.
For away situations a milk crate works pretty well and doubles as storage away from the dock.
Here is what we have used for years. Made it myself for under $30.
http://hunter.sailboatowners.com/mods.php?task=article&mid=45&aid=6196&mn=42
http://hunter.sailboatowners.com/mods.php?task=article&mid=45&aid=6196&mn=42
Last edited:
Whew! I thought the OP was asking about the best way to put holes in a center cockpit. I was like "Why would you want to do that?" and secondarily "Probably most normal methods involving a drill would work if that's what you really wanted to do!" 
jssailem
SBO Weather and Forecasting Forum Jim & John
- Oct 22, 2014
- 22,806
Oh. Boarding not "boring". I was worried I might not have anything to say on a center cockpit boat.
With a high freeboard boat I found the 'Rubbermade' two step stool handy. It folds up and goes easy on board. I tie a lanyard to it and boat so it stays attached. I think it says it can handle 300 pounds.
( http://www.rubbermaid.com/en-US/sho...ility/step-stools/ez-step™-folding-step-stool )
With a high freeboard boat I found the 'Rubbermade' two step stool handy. It folds up and goes easy on board. I tie a lanyard to it and boat so it stays attached. I think it says it can handle 300 pounds.
( http://www.rubbermaid.com/en-US/sho...ility/step-stools/ez-step™-folding-step-stool )
We have one like this for use at the dock when traveling. Folds flat so is easy to stow. Be sure to tie it to the boat or pick it up when leaving the boat. We've had to chase ours after the wind blew it into the water. Also, keep it out of the sun as much as possible. West Marine < $20.
Last edited:
I hate it when someone screw a ladder onto the slip. Huge tripping hazzard when coming in especially for visitors.
As for portable ladders, someone has to get off the boat before you can place the ladder on the slip. I prefer the hanging design.
I made one out of marine plywood.
As for portable ladders, someone has to get off the boat before you can place the ladder on the slip. I prefer the hanging design.
I made one out of marine plywood.
Actually, I can get them made down here in either stainless w/wooden steps or alloy for about us$3500 IF I can make an order for 10 or more.
The ones from Marquipt start at around us$7500 plus extras. Were I to hit the lotto, there are a few companies that make some real beauties in carbon fibre that are strong and light as a feather (15k+). Until then even $3500 would be expensive though possible, but it would probably add a fair few years to my sailing adventures. Stepping out of the dink onto a nice platform and walking up a few stairs just seems so civilized, doesn't it?
Mmmmmm, carbon fiber.
I suspect that the 10-unit deal would require they all be the same dimensions?
Preliminary discussions with several metal fabricators down here were for a top and bottom platform, 5 stairs (I think we could also do 4), the bracket to keep the upper platform level, securing points for the rigging on the lower platform, stanchion sockets (no stanchions) and cleats for the dink. The actual attachments for the upper platform to the boat (2 brackets) would not be included as each boat would have to do that as needed. It would fold up and lay flat against the lifelines as in the pic of the S/S one below.
Of course, if I had them produced down here (under my supervision) there would be shipping, but that's really of little consequence. I had a 77 gallon barrel (about 200#) sent to St. Lucia as LCL cargo and it was $167.00 for the surface freight.
We use a white one but tie a lanyard on to keep from losing it in the drink. I also built a single step hanging from the toe rail. When the dock is low, we use both. When coming in the Admiral stands outside the lifelines on the toe rail step and just steps off onto the dock lines in hand. (Except at Roche Harbor where the dock is almost level with the toe rail.)We have one like this for use at the dock when traveling. Folds flat so is easy to stow. Be sure to tie it to the boat or pick it up when leaving the boat. We've had to chase ours after the wind blew it into the water. Also, keep it out of the sun as much as possible. West Marine < $20.
Ken