Boarding Ladders ???

[RichJ]

As a convert from the world of power, where a swim platform is the rule, to the wonderful world of sail (on a mooring to boot)I realized I NEED a Boarding Ladder, the previous owner of our O'Day 27 left us a "rope ladder" and honestly, that just wont cut it.I have spent the last few days looking in different catalogs, stores etc...and well, I'm confused.I have looked at different transom mounts (fixed & removable) telescoping & rigid folding as well as a gunwale type that uses mounting sockets.My question is (I belive) a simple one, "what do you, my fellow O'Day owners use?" would greatly appricate your imputRichJ & Second Wind

 

[david lewis]

swim platforms

I use a swim platform that is molded into the hull. Your best bet is to have your transom cut away and then have a good boat shop make a replacement transom with a swim platform. Another option is to extend you transom to get a longer waterline when heeled and a swim platform. Or you could just bolt on a swim platform from a power boat this would be great for scuba diving. Otherwise as my 25 had a stainless ladder that folds down and is screwed to the transom, worked great for 11 years.

 

[Russ Marcks]

No good answer

Seems to me there is no good answer for this. I have a fold up swim ladder on the transom and I guess it works OK. Probably the best you're going to do. Just make sure you buy one with flat steps or add them later. Those rungs are quite umcomfortable otherwise.Russ

 

[john]

Swim Ladder

Having a limited budget and many areas to use it, I spent most of it for a good stainless six-rung ladder. I had tried a couple of j hook style ladders and they just didn't work well. I got a detatchable one with brackets that attatch to the deck along side the cockpit. It is a little inconvienient at times, but it is way easier than trying to drag my fat old carcass over the transom.Mine is only a 22 but still has a lot of freeboard.the ladder stores under the cockpit seat when not in use. I built a little lanyard for it so I wouldn't loose it in the drink if I dropped it.

 

[Scott Shaw]

Folding or telescopic

I put a folding aluminum ladder on my 22's transom (use stainless in saltwater) and i backed it up with marine plywood. It works great but i wish i would have got a longer version, instead i added two more steps. If i had to do it over i would have used a telescopic version and if i could afford it stainless

 

[Jim Cook]

Same quandry.....

Rich, I got a folding plastic/rope ladder with my 27'. We decided that we would like to have some type of swim platform, so we a probably going to add a bolt-on small platform. I saw a ladder at West Marine that folds up and stores under the platform. I haven't decided exactly what to do with the pushput. I guess it will need to be cut to allow access from the transom into the cockpit (and that will probably need additional step-rails to get up the transom).Jim Cook"Dream Chaser"