Replacing Swim Ladder

[rpwillia]

I am kicking around the idea of replacing my original ladder (one of the big non-telescoping ones) with a telescoping one with some kind of starboard panel over it as a step. Anyone done anything like this?

Also we occasionally bring our full size bikes along on weekends away and store them on the back. Has anyone seen a rack arrangement we could use to put one on each side of the stern rail so we could keep the swim ladder clear?

 

[sailliny]

http://forums.catalina.sailboatowners.com/showthread.php?t=103924

 

[rpwillia]

Gotta PaulJ Question

PaulJ, When you flipped your ladder so you could access it from the water, how does that work? I get the original location, but it would seem that you would need to slide it out far enough for a hinge to clear so it could lay down,or have I totally missed something?

 

[paulj]

Ray


paulj :troll:

 

[rpwillia]

I am still confused

I get that the ladder extends straight out, but the hinge is normally on the end - which is now inboard on your configuration. Did you modify the ladder so there is now a hinge on the end?

 

[paulj]

Ray
Yes.
The chanels hang over the aft end of boat.
The ladder is pulled out and extended into the water...Then the chanels locations is marked for securing chanel with screws to deck.

Note: You will have a hard time removing old swim ladder bolts, I'd leave them since you will probley make a cover.

The ladder and platform was just a mockup but worked OK so I painted it
white. I will leave in for this year and use it and maybe make some real life refinements.


paulj :troll:

 

[rpwillia]

Still not getting it

Paul, I did look at a new Catalina 350 in Deltaville and the swim ladder is installed like you originally did (ladder even looks the same) with the hinges hanging over so you can just lift the cover and fold the ladder up and over the back (about 270 degrees) and then extend it into the water. IMHO, if you are in the water and trying to get that sucker deployed so you can get back into the boat, you are SOL.

So, I see why you reversed the ladder. Now is there some kind of slide rig in your "Channels" so you slide the ladder out and then hinge it down (about 90 degrees straight down) into the water and extend it?

If so, then you don't need to ever flip up your cover, correct?

Sorry for all the questions, just having trouble getting the visual picture going.

 

[paulj]

Ray

Yes.

Yes.

Yes.


Remember this...http://forums.catalina.sailboatowners.com/showthread.php?p=664549#post664549.


paulj :troll:

 

[paulj]

Just found this.........
http://forums.catalina.sailboatowners.com/private.php?do=showpm&pmid=10331

Sorry Rodger Long for whatever I said, maybe the editor could get you thru this situation.

Mainesail
It's nice you mentioned your friend....
Is Roger Long your friend?

It's tough being an editor and even tougher being a judge.


paulj :troll:

 

[rpwillia]

Got it

I remember all of this stuff now. Very clever. I like the Aqua Step stuff, but on their site they mention the one ladder that would work great, but I don't see where you order it on their site. Does give me some ideas.

 

[Albanach]

A fairly recent episode, when I tried to board the platform of a motor cruiser from the water, alerted me to the fact that I am not as young/fit/mobile as I used to be. This also put paid to my thoughts of alternative ways to re-board my boat from the water, eg via the dinghy etc.

The 310 has a very well constructed ladder, easy to climb with non-slip rungs, once deployed. To enable me to drop it from the water I have just attached ropes: One each to the opening levers (the one being very difficult to open being supplemented by an extended lever) and one to the ladder.

Being pulled each in sequence lets the ladder drop and all I have to do is keep out of the way. Have preferred the 3 x sequence to a 1 x pull for safety reasons in case one of the ropes is pulled accidentally and could in that case change the ladder from being a safety rail to a void.