C22 transom ladder
- Thread starter Ellwebs
- Start date
While I can't suggest a specific ladder for your boat, whatever you do make sure you can deploy it from the water. Mine folds up on the transom and I have it secured with a strip of Velcro and a line attached that hangs down to the fold. I can reach that, tug, the Velcro gives and the ladder falls down.
We installed a Dotline folding deck-mounted ladder. Ours is 6 steps. Sue bought this for me after our first half-season with the boat as it was an essential item. Our boat didn't come with a permanently fixed ladder and it was supplied with one of those plastic ladders that hangs over the side. It was never intended to be a permanent solution, but it has lasted for 11 seasons so far and it looks exactly the same as it did when it was brand new. Ours fit just inside of the stern rail opening, like it was custom made. It has 3 rungs under water when deployed. When folded up, the hinge is just above waterline when at rest. The hinge does drag in the water when underway, both motoring and sailing. It's never bothered me in that regard.
It is very important to have rungs under water for access. 3 rungs is about right for me. Also, the loop at the top of the ladder is critical for getting a good grip to pull yourself over the gunwale.
It is meant to be hung vertically. I had to adjust the mounting point and cut the standoffs to get as close as I could to vertical on my reverse transom. It does require maintenance. Every other year I need to replace the plastic pads that are inserted inside the aluminum tubes where the open ends close as the ladder is deployed. I don't know if they make the pads. I find plastic pads at the hardware store that I have to fabricate into the right shape. Also, the rubber shoes for the standoff tubes have to be replaced frequently as they disintegrate in the sun. These I also get these at the hardware store.
We bought ours from West Marine, but it looks like they don't sell this model anymore. I see that Defender has it. The 5-step model may be a better fit for your boat.
For a little more than $100, this has been economical and one of the most utilitarian parts we have ever purchased for our boat. BTW, the pushpit is the stern rail.
It is very important to have rungs under water for access. 3 rungs is about right for me. Also, the loop at the top of the ladder is critical for getting a good grip to pull yourself over the gunwale.
It is meant to be hung vertically. I had to adjust the mounting point and cut the standoffs to get as close as I could to vertical on my reverse transom. It does require maintenance. Every other year I need to replace the plastic pads that are inserted inside the aluminum tubes where the open ends close as the ladder is deployed. I don't know if they make the pads. I find plastic pads at the hardware store that I have to fabricate into the right shape. Also, the rubber shoes for the standoff tubes have to be replaced frequently as they disintegrate in the sun. These I also get these at the hardware store.
We bought ours from West Marine, but it looks like they don't sell this model anymore. I see that Defender has it. The 5-step model may be a better fit for your boat.
For a little more than $100, this has been economical and one of the most utilitarian parts we have ever purchased for our boat. BTW, the pushpit is the stern rail.
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Honestly Stu, those are miserable ladders. They hug the hull so you can't get your feet fully on the ladder, they don't extend into the water (far enough), so you have to haul yourself out of the water to get on the ladder, and the loops hook over the gunwale so that you can't get a grip on it or anything else. I'd give that ladder credit for one thing, (it floats) except that if you had to use that ladder you would soon wish that it didn't!
You probably never get in the 50 degree water, so a ladder would be more of an emergency item. Using the ladder for swimming as we do, it has to be functional to a much higher degree. Ours is so functional, our dog climbs out of the water on the ladder without any help from us. I see OP is at Vashon (Island?), so maybe the water is too cold for swimming.
You probably never get in the 50 degree water, so a ladder would be more of an emergency item. Using the ladder for swimming as we do, it has to be functional to a much higher degree. Ours is so functional, our dog climbs out of the water on the ladder without any help from us. I see OP is at Vashon (Island?), so maybe the water is too cold for swimming.