Transom Ladder permanent

[David S]

I want to make a permanent boarding ladder on my O'day 22 transom on port side, ( the outboard motor bracket is on starboard ), the port inside of the transom is not accessible as is the starboard side, (I've been there more than once, don't go there if you are claustrophobic ), the outboard motor bracket bolt nuts are inside this dungeon,( I had to lower the bracket for a short shaft motor, even then wind and waves brought the prop out of the water, no forward movement, had to turn around back to Punta Gorda marina on Alligator Creek.)
I thought of cutting a access hole on the inside of the gas tank apartment on the port side to get to bolt and nuts and to strengthen the transom skin, then make a removable cover to water seal it.
David S

 

[Joe11688]

I want to make a permanent boarding ladder on my O'day 22 transom on port side, ( the outboard motor bracket is on starboard ), the port inside of the transom is not accessible as is the starboard side, (I've been there more than once, don't go there if you are claustrophobic ), the outboard motor bracket bolt nuts are inside this dungeon,( I had to lower the bracket for a short shaft motor, even then wind and waves brought the prop out of the water, no forward movement, had to turn around back to Punta Gorda marina on Alligator Creek.)
I thought of cutting a access hole on the inside of the gas tank apartment on the port side to get to bolt and nuts and to strengthen the transom skin, then make a removable cover to water seal it.
David S

I would do just that if I were you. You could install a Beckson Deck plate or cut a hole large enough and make a cover out of StarBoard for it. I installed a deck plate in the center of my inside transom a few years ago to get at my self bailing hose, my gudgions, and my outboard charging system wire. It's a heck of a lot safer than trying to access that area through the lazarett hatch.

 

[David S]

Thank you Trinkka, your experience putting an access hole centered on the inside of the transom is encouraging and prompted me to think if I put the hole off center to port I can get to the rudder gudgeons and self balling hose as well as reach any work I will need to do to attach a permanent ladder. What are the measurements of the hole you made and what items did you use to attach the plate to the inside of the transom?
I was hoping to get more replies and not have to 'invent the wheel', perhaps this is an unusual project not many people have done, or think a 22 footer is too small for a permanent ladder. I have a utility ladder that hangs over the top of the transom and have used it and it is very hard to get your foot up on the first rung and pull yourself up out of the water.
I have to decide whether to design the moving part of the ladder to slide down like an extension ladder or have it pivot from the bottom side rails of the permanent part attached to the transom. Maybe this will prompt some replies.
Happy sailing, David S

 

[OdayDave]

Hi David -

The 22 is not too small for a permanent ladder. The 222's came with a permanent ladder and if it hadn't I would have definitely added one. While I rarely disagree with Joe since I have picked his brain on lot's of projects on my boat, I don't think that an inspection port is needed if you mount the ladder on the side of the boat that your cockpit locker is on. For the 222, both the ladder and the cockpit locker are on the port side. The inspection port is useful for other reasons (e.g., inspecting the drain hose and motor mount), and I do like the idea of a strong backing plate and definitely seal the holes well. When I changed my motor mount (which was more difficult since it was on the starboard side), I beefed up the backing plate substantially. But if all you want to do is add a ladder, this should be an easy job, and readily accessible from the locker.

Good luck,

Dave
ODay's 222 and 25

 

[Joe11688]

Thank you Trinkka, your experience putting an access hole centered on the inside of the transom is encouraging and prompted me to think if I put the hole off center to port I can get to the rudder gudgeons and self balling hose as well as reach any work I will need to do to attach a permanent ladder. What are the measurements of the hole you made and what items did you use to attach the plate to the inside of the transom?
I was hoping to get more replies and not have to 'invent the wheel', perhaps this is an unusual project not many people have done, or think a 22 footer is too small for a permanent ladder. I have a utility ladder that hangs over the top of the transom and have used it and it is very hard to get your foot up on the first rung and pull yourself up out of the water.
I have to decide whether to design the moving part of the ladder to slide down like an extension ladder or have it pivot from the bottom side rails of the permanent part attached to the transom. Maybe this will prompt some replies.
Happy sailing, David S

Hi David,
I'm sorry for not getting back to you in reply. My PC went down about a week ago and it's still in the shop being fixed. I started to get the PC withdrawals and had to go out and buy a new PC last Thursday. I'm feeling much better now.
I installed an 8" Beckson deck plate in which the cover screws on. I used small stainless steel wood screws and silicon caulking to seal it. I just picked up a used 4" Beckson deck plate last week for $5 at a marine consignment store in Newport RI. I mounted it in the fuel locker to get at a small jam cleat that I bought for my furler control line. I used Dow Corning 795 to caulk it and some small ss wood screws.
Years ago, my late friend Walter bought a new swim ladder for an O'Day 192 that he owned at the time. He mounted it on the Port stern and I helped him with it that day. He drilled a hole for a large Beckson deck plate in the center of the inside transom and it made it so much easier to get at the bolts and to install the plywood back up plate and the nuts. I held the plywood in place while Walter drilled the holes through the transom and the plywood and it worked out great.
Your boat isn't too small for a swim ladder. As far as these ladders being easy on the feet goes; my ladder is kind of hard on the feet. It's hard to get around that, unless you wear an old pair of sneakers which I started doing last summer. Those swim shoes aren't too good for your feet walking on a rocky beach and they don't last long on sharp rocks. My left foot was almost crippled from wearing those things last year. I do a lot of beach combing and some of the shore lines have sharp pointed rocks which are hard on the feet.
The deck plate was one of the best improvements I made to my boat. I use it about twice a year to get at my charging cable from the outboard. I have the wire going from the outboard motor, through the inside transom and up to a terminal block on a rear bulkhead under the lazarett hatch. I got stuck in that hatch opening years ago and that's never going to happen again. Good luck!
Joe