photo article on installing a swim ladder on H216

[Jeff Prideaux]

I've added a photo article on installing a swim ladder on my H216.You can see it from the H216 page on this site.This may give people some ideas on how to install one.My swim ladder mounting brackets were too short so I utilized a separate piece of metal. I'll monitor its performance over time. It does flex a bit when I step on it (which I don't like). I may eventually re-do it with a thicker (and wider) piece of metal. Also, I have aluminum touching stainless steel. If this proves to be a corrosion problem, I'll replace all aluminum parts with stainless steel parts. Another installation option would be to get a custom bracket made (with the slanting U shape) that is long enough to mount directly on the swim step.Other people have apparently mounted their swim ladder brackets directly on the swim-step (with both holes). Either their brackets were quite a bit longer or their ladders would deploy out at a slant (not vertically down).

 

[Lamar Sumerlin]

Swim Ladder - Add starboard spacer ~ 1/4" thick?

Hi Jeff,Good to see you got your ladder installed. From the photos you posted, if the flexing does become a problem, I think if you reinforced the starboard side support with another ~ 1/4 " spacer you should reduce the flexing of the ladder a great deal. The port side and backing plate arrangement that you have should be adequate.Lamar

 

[Jeff Prideaux]

added another 1/4 spacer

I added another 1/4" spacer to both sides (which traveled the whole distance) to stiffen up the flexing. I also added a layer of plastic tubing around the ladder post to make sure that the ladder was firmly pressed against the rub-rail of the boat when deployed. These two actions helped the flexing considerably and I now feel quite confident with the ladder.In retrospect, had I realized that the WINDLINE ladder I purchased from West Marine had mounting brackets that were too short and that the brand mentioned in the other posts apparently is the only brand with mounting brackets long enough, I would have ordered that other brand off the internet. But my installation now works fine...