Opinions about transom ladders?

[centerline]

I am wanting to add a ladder to my transom and would like opinions on what brands or models to consider.

I have looked at a few different types, but I havent seen them all, and so far nothing has impressed me. My only real criteria is that it be sturdy and long enough to be of use so it will have to be a folding type.

I can, and probably will, modify anything I purchase, but it would be nice to have a good unit to start with.

 

[zeehag]

Re: opinions about transom ladders?....

my transom ladder is at the waist of my boat, where there is less movement in an anchorage with surge and rollers...easier to board without transom trying to kill ye. more difficult to board and disembark in med style moorings, but i try to avoid those. also i have less freeboard at waist.....mine is an over the rail type i can move to wherever i need it, until i install my pretty wooden one--both fold, ss one so there is some1 1/2 ft in water for reboarding from swimming.

 

[caguy]

I have a telescoping one on the Mac 25. Its nice and compact but extends down into the water deep enough that even I can use it.
I also like the one that Timo42 has on the back of his Mac22. His is folding and narrow and you can only put one foot on a rung at a time, but who needs more?

 

[cephius (Dave)]

Re: opinions about transom ladders?....

I've never been found of the ones that hinge up and secure to the stern pulpit. I do like the telescoping ones. They lay flat and out of the way. Windline makes a 3 step and a 4 step version.

 

[zeehag]

Re: opinions about transom ladders?....

the hanging kind need to be secured with a line so they dont come off in rolly anchorages. never hang em over the stern rail--use the boat coamings. stern rail is not strong enough to help save you when you need to be saved. is like depending on lifelines to save your life-isnt their job. they are merely reminders as to where the edge is.

 

[31seahorse]

Re: opinions about transom ladders?....

Climbing under or over the stern rail is often a challenge. The backstay can be an added obstacle. We had a folding ss ladder in the center of the transom of our Oday 30, but added attachments for a folding wooden ladder along the starboard side. That allowed us to enter and leave the cockpit easier by dropping the entry clips on the lifelines. It "saved the knees" by avoiding any climbing under our stern rail.

 

[caguy]

the hanging kind need to be secured with a line so they dont come off in rolly anchorages. never hang em over the stern rail--use the boat coamings. stern rail is not strong enough to help save you when you need to be saved. is like depending on lifelines to save your life-isnt their job. they are merely reminders as to where the edge is.

I beg to differ with you, coming around Long Point on Catalina we were hit broadside by a big gust that cause us to broach. I watched my friend's horrified face as he went airborne with both hands and feet in the air. He bounce off from the safety lines and back into the boat.
It's a good thing he did because I later found out that he sinks like a rock and panics when in the water more than ankle deep. The rest of that weekend he wore a pfd.

 

[kenn]

Re: opinions about transom ladders?....

When we got our boat, being able to swim off her was high on the list, so a good ladder was a mandatory addition.

Our boat is only about 19' long, but has considerable freeboard.We don't have a stern rail, so we only had to clear the gunnel, which already has a very solid grab handle. After experimenting with a too-small ladder, I knew that we needed something sturdy, with at least 2 steps in the water. I found a nice 5-rung SS folding ladder that does the job for both my wife and I. Folded, it doesn't stick up above the stern, but the bottom is still clear of the water, even heeled.

(sorry I can't provide a link... it was something I saw in a store and just grabbed it)

I later cut off the top rung because it was a shin-destroyer and not necessary for stepping into the cockpit.

It's been great. It's both a convenience and a great safety feature.

 

[zeehag]

Re: opinions about transom ladders?....

your bouncing friend was most fortunate,as lifelines were not ever built nor touted as life saving lines but as guides for the edge of boat. your experience is a wonderful reason to tether into the boat especially during crossing of such a nicely dangerous channel. that passage is known as santa barbara channel and can be most deadly.

 

[Tom Hoffman]

Custom Ladder

One of the problems that I faced when we got our boat was getting on and off while in the water swimming or rowing out with a dinghy. I am a pretty big guy and the little flimsy ladders that I could see on the INTERNET looked mighty bad. My wife and I are both scuba divers and were use to good sturdy ladders on dive boats where you can climb with full gear on and even with fins on if necessary. My solution was to find a ladder on a scuba site and had it made by a welder here close by out of stainless steel. We used a picture of the one on the net and they we made modifications to suit. I have used it several times to jump off the boat and get back on and also work on the motor from the water when I had a clog. It goes almost 5' under water. You can stand on the bottom rung and get your balance and then climb simply and easily as though climbing a normal ladder. I do wear hard sole dive shoes. Bare feet would not feel good on the round rungs.

Here are pics.

http://sports.webshots.com/album/578165965zhiOMi

The one on the INTERNET was selling for $2000+ and I got mine done for $600 including materials and labor. I bought the round tube from a local SS welding supply house.

Tom...

 

[shemandr]

Re: opinions about transom ladders?....

Flat treads are nice. If you're climbing with bare feet its a lot more comfortable. I like my transom ladder on the 356 but I do wish it had one more rung. Not so much for going up, but for going down at this time of year when the water is 60 degrees. . One more rung would make easing in the cold much easier. I'm at the age where a "Nestea Plunge" could be a last plunge. The transom on that boat is a big help for swimmers too

 

[Bill Roosa]

Re: opinions about transom ladders?....

Make sure you get one long enough so that you can get a foot on it while in the water. That would place the bottom rung 2+ feet below the water. If you don't you have to drag yourself up using your upper body which a lot of folks can't do.