Ladder for Hunter 18.5

[Jody]

Hello fellow Hunter owners,
We have a 1992 Hunter 18.5. It has no hardware on the back of the boat, and there is no attached ladder. Because the sides and back of the boat are sloped, simple gunwale ladders don’t work. My husband bought a telescopic ladder he planned to attach to the transom, but it’s going to interfere with the tiller. Any suggestions? I’m tempted to go with a simple rope ladder and attach it to a cleat. Thanks.

 

[rgranger]

Rope ladders are difficult IMHO. They tend to arc under the boat as you try to climb them and next thing you know, you are on your back pulling with your arms only and your legs can't really help much. Not a problem if you have huge latissimus dorsi but not all of us can do 30 pull ups anymore .

Have you thought about hanging a ladder over the gunwale? If you get one like the image below, you can adjust the length of the little "pegs" so that they sit flush on your hull and the ladder will be very rigid and easy to climb.

 

[Crazy Dave Condon]

It has been years since I as a former dealer sold the Hunter 18.5 wing keel.. If I recall, there is no backstay and the motor mount is on the starboard side of the transom. The top of the lip of the cockpit transom wall is small.
Under platform ladders are out of the question. Over platform ladders that would be secured to the top of the transom wall are pretty much out of the question as that area is not wide enough for securing those style ladder bases unless you go the extra mile which most would not prefer to do. Rgranger is correct about rope ladders so do not go there.
The kind rgranger suggested is a gunwale style ladder that sinply hangs over into the cockpit with standoffs. Several issues though. The transom wall may be too small in width for that. I am not sure if it would work over the sides of the cockpit depending on the height of the cockpit seats back rest.

If I recall, I use to attach a two or three step to the top near the hull to deck joint on the transom. Some came with hardware and some not. Some of the fold down sections did or did not have stand offs but standoffs can be purchased. You will need a backing plate for the attachment of the ladder to the transom to distribute the load. In addition purchase a hand hold so you can grab to something to pull yourself up. Suggest talking with @Dave Groshong at the forum store as he too is a sailor and will help you further.