Swim ladder

[asweany]

Just got our 26m delivered. Great boat except that my wife and I are both older and have found that it is almost impossible to board her from the factory installed swim ladder. Anyone have any expierence with other types of ladders? Thanks, Art and Vicki Sweany

 

[Justin_NSA]

I'm unfamiliar with the M but BWY sells an X ladder for the M claiming that it is easier to use

http://bwyachts.com/web catalog 31203/railings and swim ladders/swim_ladder.htm

They also sell a grab handle they may be all you need.

http://bwyachts.com/web catalog 31203/railings and swim ladders/swim_ladder_grab_handle.htm

 

[oreana123]

For those unfamiliar with the boarding ladder design on the X and M macs, the ladder is a hinged affair attached to the transom of these boats. Due to the space requirements of the outboard engines, the ladder is no more than a foot wide. A swimmer is expected to climb up the narrow ladder and squeeze between the engine and the cut out on the transom. Although I have never boarded an x or M from the water, I have climbed onto both types on dry land, and I am slim and agile.

What kind of alternate is available? I have seen a boarding ladder that uses brackets with slots that the ladder is slid into, and then pulled vertically out of the slots when getting underway. This kind of bracketry will definitely need backing plates. I like my ladders to go at least one rung into the water when deployed as well. Think long and hard before you drill.

 

[MrBill_FLL]

as John describes, normally the problem is the ladder is too short in the water. you need to put you knees to you chin to use the 1st rung.

I added some thick line to form a deeper 1st step.

what exactly is the issue for you? where do you find a problem? getting on the 1st step, or transition to the cockpit? or?

 

[asweany]

Mr. Bill, The problem is not the bending the knees or climbing boarding ladders. The factory ladder is only about 6 inches wide and the approx. 1" dia. rugs hurt the bare feet. The big problem is not enough clearance between the rudder, motor, and transom side by the fold down seat. Also there is nothing to grab on the left side. You can grab the mast carrier on the right if you leave it in place while boarding. Thanks, Art

 

[oreana123]

Don't forget the hinged seat assembly waiting to fall and catch your hands- good application for a gas strut mod

 

[nemosuit]

I searched STAINLESS BOAT on eBay and found a good one for $99: wider than your stock one, and extends to five feet. Check 'em out. :dance:

Also: maybe with a little wood and some conduit brackets, you could make some wider steps for yours, so it wouldn't hurt your feet so much? Just a thought.

VBR,

Pat

 

[PuckandTitania]

I used some foam crutch pads and attached with contact cement and zip ties to pad the steel rungs. The crutch pads are a denser foam but are only 3/4 inch inner diameter. They do help with the feet. I had thought of using pipe insulation, but the crutch pads are a denser foam.

 

[timebandit]

I made these steps out of 1x4 inch oak because my feet could not handle the round pipe rungs.

 

[asweany]

Thanks for the comments. We found small plastic foot pads for the round rungs of the ladder at West Marine. Worked great with a little modifcation to the top one. Thanks again, asweany Miss Vicki