C-30 transom ladder

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RhodySail

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Sep 13, 2012
7
Catalina C-30 Warwick, R.I.
Hi all,

I'm getting ready to launch my new/old 1979 c30 and I'm debating installing a transom ladder. My yard has 2 ladders off abandoned boats that seem compatible. We're thinking of mounting her to the transom and cutting out a portion of the stern rail to install a lifeline/gate so we can board over the stern easily.

Is anyone aware of any issues that could arise from mounting the ladder and cutting the stern rail for an entry? I just want to make sure I'm not opening a can of worms by cutting into the rail.
 
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Old Skool Neil

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Jan 22, 2008
880
Fed up w/ personal attacks I'm done with SBO
It depends on the design of the stern rail. If it's the standard single rail with four down legs, cutting out the center section will destroy it, GUARANTEED!! You'll be left with two wobbly corners. Even a removable center section won't come near the strength of the original.

For stability you need each remaining rail section to have three non-collinear attachment points.

Please, don't ask how I know this.
 
jrowan

jrowan

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Mar 5, 2011
1,294
O'Day 35 Severn River, Mobjack Bay, Va.
I agree with Neil. Can't remember who, but last year someone on the C 30 page did just what you're talking about. He had the middle section cut out to make it ieasier to board the swim ladder. The two adjacent ccokpit rails promptly started to wobble & lost their structural strength. I wouldn't do it. Plus how often do you really use your swim ladder? I go off the stern maybe 3 or 3 times a year. Its not worth damaging your pushpit. I never thought it was really that big a deal yo just step & climb over the center railing anyway. My 2 c.
ps. I thought that the C 30 came with a stern ladder by the 1979 production year.
 
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Old Skool Neil

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Jan 22, 2008
880
Fed up w/ personal attacks I'm done with SBO
jrowan said:
I never thought it was really that big a deal to just step & climb over the center railing anyway.
Click to expand
My original stern rail was a single rail design and did not have the lower middle rail at the center. For me to use the ladder I had to climb over the top rail. That arrangement had to be changed.

Here's what I had when I bought the boat although I had a ladder
View attachment 61888


and here's what I have now
​
View attachment 61889​
 
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