I recently purchased a 1986 Hunter 23 and am interested in installing a transom ladder. My question is how does one access the interior wall surface of the transom? I would like to reinforce the ladder brackets with a metal plates. A quick look would suggest that one has to crawl underneath the cockpit seat to gain access to the interior wall of the transom. Any suggestions or thoughts?
Transom ladder for a H23
- Thread starter BillyBud
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If you want to add reinforcements to the transom, then you are going to have to crawl around down there. I guess one other alternative would be to knock out the rear starboard berth bulkhead so you can get to the transom from there, but that probably would give you even less room to move around.
Speaking of ladders.. I've been thinking about adding one myself. I have one of those "hang over the side" things, but I'm not a big fan of them for a couple different reasons, so I'm on the lookout for a good fold up ladder. I'd be interested in seeing your final installation solution and any comments you may have about the install process.
Cheers,
Brad
I did this this past summer on my H23. Yes you need to cram yourself through the lazarette. I am 6'4'' and weigh 280 and I can get in there but it is not pretty. You need to work behind your head as you tighten the bolts and it helps to have someone outside to help you. I got one of the collapsible ladders from Defender. It has 6 steps and with the boat on the trailer it will reach the ground. Very nice for getting on the boat when you are rigging it. It folds up and is only about 8 inches above the transom when stowed. I'm not near the boat right now but will see if I can find a picture or two. Here is the link to it in the Defender catalog. http://www.defender.com/product.jsp?path=-1|10391|109363|824297&id=730977
Not cheap but well worth the cost when I think about trying to get my knees up to my chin to reach the first step on most swim ladders.
I recently installed what I believe is a West Marine 4 step folding ladder that I bought on E Bay. The attachment brackets came with SS backing plates that were the same size as the brackets. I hope they are large enough because working "down there" is a challenge.
I've tried to set up an Album with some pictures.
I've tried to set up an Album with some pictures.
Here's a picture of the stern of my boat. Access is not easy, but worth doing.
-Chris
-Chris
Attachments
Sounds like I'll be crawling around in unkown spaces. This will have to wait until the weather warms. Here's the ladder that I purchased.
http://www.anchoring.com/telescoping-gunwale-transom-side-mounted-boat-ladder.html
Billy Bud
http://www.anchoring.com/telescoping-gunwale-transom-side-mounted-boat-ladder.html
Billy Bud
BillyBud, I went into the lazarette to tighten mine last year. It wasn't that bad for me but I'm 5'7"
My ladder looks and attaches like Beckeresq's ladder except mine does not fold or telescope. That makes getting it into and out of the lazarette fun.
The PO added some teak strips where the top attach's and where the lower legs touch the boat.
My ladder looks and attaches like Beckeresq's ladder except mine does not fold or telescope. That makes getting it into and out of the lazarette fun.
The PO added some teak strips where the top attach's and where the lower legs touch the boat.
Swim ladder
Added ladder to my Chrysler 20 30 years ago using strap toggles.Worked great for attaching where access is a problem.Transom was pretty strong as most are.
Added ladder to my Chrysler 20 30 years ago using strap toggles.Worked great for attaching where access is a problem.Transom was pretty strong as most are.
Attachments
Re: Swim ladder
My H23 has an access port in the aft wall of the cockpit under the access lid for the gas tank compartment (stbd side). I don't know what these are called, but it is a round hatch about 6 inches diam that has a round cover that screws in, with an o-ring gasket to seal it. It allows me to access the area where the stern nav light is attached, and also the bolts holding on my swim platform/ladder. I bought it used last May, so don't know if the prev owner added it.
We have a teak swim platform that has the ladder attached to it, and when folded the ladder sits on top of the platform. I find it very useful when boarding or debarking from a rowboat. I assume it was rather pricey, though.
My H23 has an access port in the aft wall of the cockpit under the access lid for the gas tank compartment (stbd side). I don't know what these are called, but it is a round hatch about 6 inches diam that has a round cover that screws in, with an o-ring gasket to seal it. It allows me to access the area where the stern nav light is attached, and also the bolts holding on my swim platform/ladder. I bought it used last May, so don't know if the prev owner added it.
We have a teak swim platform that has the ladder attached to it, and when folded the ladder sits on top of the platform. I find it very useful when boarding or debarking from a rowboat. I assume it was rather pricey, though.
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