Boarding ladder for Hunter 376

[EdwardinSTX]

I'm in the process of buying a Hunter 376. It needs a boarding ladder. I see several types in the catalogs: telescoping dive ladder, ladder platform, above platform telescoping ladder, undermount telescoping ladder, one step boarding step, over platform telescoping drop ladder, gunnel mount hook ladder, deck mounting ladder, side mounting ladder, outboard swim platform, lift ladder, etc.

Which of these types work with the Hunter 376? Which ones don't?

What kind of ladder do you have?

What do you recommend?

Thanks!

Edward

 

[Don12364]

My H376 Ladder

The H376 really needs a custom built ladder. It is not necessary for boarding but is for bathing.
The part of the hull at the stern does not have sufficient height to support a ladder plus a weighty adult so the ladder was built with a right angle bend in the two side stiles.
The photo below of my 1996 H376 (ignore my home built bike rack) shows the ladder pivoted in two 1" x 1 1/2" pieces of stainless channel. The pivot point is half way along the recesses in the GRP so when it is down it hangs over the stern and when it is up it lies neatly against the aft face of the transom. There are two short stubs with 1" dia rubber caps on them which bear on the rubbing strake.

You can see the black cord intended to pull it down in case somebody falls overboard but I found that I needed to tie the ladder permanently up when not in use because, when boarding from the tender, people had a tendency to pull against the ladder to help themselves aboard. The ladder promptly came towards them and they stumbled back into the dinghy. When tied up you can climb up it to get over the helmsman's seat without needing to let that down too.
BTW The space under the seat also makes a good place to store the liferaft.
Other than this it is a good system.
You could try Hunters for possible old stock or they might let you see the drawings.
Any competent welder could make one up just from measuring the boat.
Good luck. It is a fine boat.

PS:- Just looked at the photo as reduced by the SBO upload program. The original is ten times larger and so more detailed and can be enlarged. Just PM me for the full pic.

 

[EdwardinSTX]

Re: My H376 Ladder

Thanks! The picture is fine. Very helpful.