H376 Ladder Upgrade Install Question

[rfrye1]

I am finally getting around to replacing the huge pain in the neck one-piece OEM boarding ladder with a telescoping, fold up design. Installation will require me to lag bolt the ladder the the transom. Couple questions:
1. Should I sand down the non-skid "crisscrossing" pattern on the fiberglass to make the contact area smooth?
2. Should I use 5200 under the SS plates that will be lag bolted the the transom to help seal and bind the ladder?
Thanks in advance for your help.
Bob.

 

[Terry Cox]

Hi Bob, some distinction here between a transom swim ladder and a boarding ladder or step. Here is an article that I wrote awhile ago about the boarding ladder/step that I made for our boat. Also some pics.

Rather than using 3M-5200 I would use 4200; plenty strong. IMHO unnecessary to sand down the non skid. Rough the surface with sandpaper so that the adhesive has a good bond and secure with the SS bolts.

Ours is also a one piece transom swim ladder that drops down, but I like it however we seldom use it. PNW water temps somewhat cooler than San Diego. I can recall using the ladder twice since owning the boat that we purchased in 2002.

https://hunter.sailboatowners.com/mods.php?task=article&mid=45&aid=6196&mn=42