DIY boat ramps
- Thread starter Whatsit
- Start date
HMMMMM???, Lots of variables in that question. Boat's freeboard, dock height, what part of the boat you are boarding, individual physical ability, etc. The proverbial "picture" of the situation would help. Many types of commercially available "steps" can be purchased or copied if you like to tinker or are skilled in that sort of construction activity. Those steps would divide the step to the deck into several shorter distances. The ramp idea might work in some situations like boarding directly from the stern, but boarding from either side would introduce a heel to the process when someone put their weight onto the ramp. NOTE: all experimentation with ramp access should be done while wearing an appropriate PFD and during warm weather in the event of an unexpected swim.
You are talking about a gang plank. A way of walking from dock onto boat. There are a few options. There are gang planks that attach to the dock, planks that attach to the boat and cantilevered planks that bridge most of the way. Some depends on your docking habitats, are you on a floating dock? Are you often in new or multiple marinas? Is the tidal range large?
Some ideas. Not hard to build.
- Will (Dragonfly)
Some ideas. Not hard to build.
- Will (Dragonfly)
for a ramp, look up sailboat passarelle. Popular across the pond.
https://www.bing.com/images/search?q=sailboat+passerelle&qpvt=sailboat+Passarelle&FORM=IGRE
https://www.bing.com/images/search?q=sailboat+passerelle&qpvt=sailboat+Passarelle&FORM=IGRE
Here is one commercial option it is pricy
https://www.westmarine.com/buy/plastimo--telescopic-boarding-gangway--8502072
Do a google search for marine gangplank and click on images. You will get a lot of variations to use as inspiration. If you leave out the word "marine" you get a bunch of links to a video game.
At low tide, we cannot get the boat close enough to the dock to step aboard, so I just bought a 12' section of 2"x10" at Home Depot, cut it to the right length for our dock, and called it a solution. 2 in. x 10 in. x 12 ft. #2 Pressure-Treated Lumber
Looks something like this LOL
Cheap and easy. but not real portable due to the weight. we leave it on our dock. From reading around, the most popular DIY option, is a an aluminum ladder with an appropriate board (ply is the most common) riveted along it...simple enough to knock up in a few hours, and both wider lighter than my 2"x10" lumber solution.
Here is a pic
Buy a used extension ladder on Craig's list, and have at it.
Looks something like this LOL
Cheap and easy. but not real portable due to the weight. we leave it on our dock. From reading around, the most popular DIY option, is a an aluminum ladder with an appropriate board (ply is the most common) riveted along it...simple enough to knock up in a few hours, and both wider lighter than my 2"x10" lumber solution.
Here is a pic
Buy a used extension ladder on Craig's list, and have at it.
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I have a very narrow 5 inch space on concrete between the slips. I walk/balance myself halfway out to step onto the boat. She does not want to balance herself or have the kids balance themselves like I do and asked if I could make a ramp. Attached is a picture showing how narrow the space is
Attachments
This was much funnier in the movie
I'd like to have a gangplank for when we tie up in our slip stern first. We have an open transom. Lots of variables to get to the right solution
I'd like to have a gangplank for when we tie up in our slip stern first. We have an open transom. Lots of variables to get to the right solution
Jeebus!
But it looks as if you could hang the plank lengthwise on that skinny thing, eh?
They don't call those things 'catwalks' for nothing. Use the dock side attachment kind. Unless you need one at another destination. Carry it like a surfboard, against the lifeline stanchion.
- Will (Dragonfly)
- Will (Dragonfly)
Is this the start of a competition with some of the Mac guys for the title of most junk on the boat? 
Since the issue is unique to your home dock, I would leave it on the dock. Same answer if you are a day sailor or anchor out.
If you are cruising to other marinas, and they have similar problems, then you want to take the gangplank with you. Most marinas on Lake Erie have wide floating docks, so your problem would be rare here.
If you are cruising to other marinas, and they have similar problems, then you want to take the gangplank with you. Most marinas on Lake Erie have wide floating docks, so your problem would be rare here.
Here is another reasonable option. $57.99
7.5 ft Aluminum Motorcycle Loading Ramps, Foldable
Being fold-able will make it easier to carry and store aboard.
7.5 ft Aluminum Motorcycle Loading Ramps, Foldable
- High Quality: Constructed of durable aluminum, max load capacity up to 340 kg/ 750 lb
- Foldable: Can be folded into a compact size, easy to carry around
- Lightweight: Convenient for storage and carrying
- Protective: Soft tipped design reduces abrasion between your ride and the ramp
- Labor-Saving: Provides a greater traction and make it easy to load
- Material: Aluminum
- Load Capacity: 340 Kg/ 750 Lb
- Max. Length: Approx. 226 cm/ 7.5’
- Unfolded Dimension: 226 x 30 cm/89 x 11.8'' (LxW)
- Folded Dimension: 115 x 30 cm/ 45.3 x 11.8'' (LxW)
Being fold-able will make it easier to carry and store aboard.
No. The slip forms a V shape. But the way I have fenders to break the boat when I’m bringing in the boat set up it makes it too far to step onto from the front.