extension ladder for 37 Hunter

[e Bryan Rucinski]

just purchased a 1984 Hunter 37 cutter rig. I hope I can get some wisdom from other owners for several questions. this is my 1st post

our transom mount swim ladder is very difficult to board from the water. the lowest step is just about 3 inches below the surface.

has anyone found or made a suitable extension to add 2 more lower steps? I did a little web searching with -0- success so far. thank you in advance for any help.

e Bryan

 

[Johnb]

I am glad you asked the question - I want to know too

 

[Jim Legere]

I have never seen an off-the-shelf solution to extending the H37C ladder, but I wouldn't think it would be too much of a challenge for a good SS fabrication shop to come up with something?

You would want a couple of hinged steps that folded up 'accordion fashion' against the 'bent' bottom section, so that the whole thing would still store against the transom the same way...

 

[quadrille38]

Not the same boat but on our previous boat a 1987 Catalina 34 with the traditional transom the first owner (reportedly a large man) had a custom fabrication ladder. A second section hinged off the bottom of the first original section. You folded the first section out and then the second section folded out from there. It was very sturdy and resulted in 3 full steps below the water. I don't know if the company is still around but it bore a label that said RAILMAKERS on it.

On our current 2008 Hunter 38 with the walk through transome the ladder telescopes down and gets 2 steps into the water. For storage it telescopes inward and then hinge swings it up onto the swim platform.

 

[Johnb]

Obvious - I went to owner mods for the HC 37 and found the article below. This is the Rolls Royce of boarding systems, I am scared to let the admiral see it.

H37C Boarding Ladder
posted 10-07-2008 by Ron Pearson

 

[sail_4_me]

I've been thinking about this too. I wanted to use a rope extension but that may be too flimsy to stand up on. Have a look at this starboard style extension: http://www.clrmarine.com/Extend_Your_Step.html

 

[Ed Schenck]

That ladder of Starboard looks like an excellent solution. I don't have an extension put did add foot pads made of PlasTeak.. Much easier on the footsies.

 

[Blitz]

White Water Marine will make you what you want:

http://www.whitewatermarineinc.com/