Transom step

tom_rutter · Aug 14, 2006

Hi Nico,

Is it possible for you to post a photo in the group website? Or perhaps
just send it to me by email?

I've been using a mooring line tied between the aft cleats to climb back in
when swimming on a calm day. I'm lucky that I can reach the top of
this pushpit from the water to pull myself up to grabbing the backstay (long
arms) but it's quite a struggle getting back aboard without the line. I can
imagine that if the boats moving at cruising speed, as it would be in a
man-overboard situation, there would be real problems.

Cheers,
Tom

pjacobs55 · Aug 14, 2006

I'll see about doing a photo. The installation is extremely simple, just as I described. Lower is probably better for the step but too low and the step will be in the water a lot and will get fouling, and also through bolting might be a problem for the bottom bolt on account of the very thick layup at the turn of the transom Right at the boot top seems to work fine, between the exhaust outlet and the stbd cockpit drain.

When swimming we have until now used a loop of line between the quarter cleats, as you do. I put the step in because I want something that does not need to be rigged in an emergency. (I am going on a cruise, just me and 2 of my kids, ages 11 and 15, and I have been thinking . . . ) Also, I have found that the line loop, although seamanlike, tends to swing under the boat with my weight and thus is not nearly as effective a step as this installed step.

I will add that our MOB plan is as follows: We keep 60 feet of yellow floating poly line, 1/4 inch, at the ready in a cockpit locker. It has an eyesplice in one end, just large enough for a man's hand. At the splice the line passes though a throwable floating ball - the interior of a softball, I believe!. At the bitter end is a hefty Wichard shackle. In the event, crew would snap the shackle to a backstay leg and toss the line, then try to maneuver the boat so the line gets to the swimming man. Then the boat is stopped and the man, who has gotten his hand into the loop, is pulled to the boat and climbs in via the step and, if he is me, has a tot.

If the man is too weak to climb in then we have a problem. I know there are patented MOB systems that purpose to address this and maybe one day I'll have a handy billy rigged and ready to hoist on a halyard to to hoist the man in, but for now I am pretty comfortable.

Nicholas Walsh
Nicholas H. Walsh P.A.
111 Commercial Street
Portland Maine 04101
Tel. 207/772-2191
fax 207/774-3940

This email was sent from the law firm of Nicholas H. Walsh P.A. It may contain information that is privileged and confidential. If you suspect that you were not intended to receive this email, please delete it and notify us as soon as possible. Thank you.

enigma.seti · Aug 14, 2006

I too, would like to see a photo. I have found the one you installed
on Whitecap Industries website, but would sure like to see how it
looks, and maybe see if another placement place would serve me
better.

Thanks.
keith

coonhopper2000 · Aug 15, 2006

Anyone know how many amps/ volts the dynastarter on the md6a volvo is suppose to put out? The manual reads 135w and 90w continuous. Not sure how that translates into volts or watts.. Thanks, Puffin V2137

Nico Walsh nwalsh@... wrote: I put a little folding step on Journeyman's transom. It is located at the boottop, a few inches to starboard of the exhaust. I used a Whitecap Industries stainless steel step, cost about $45.00. The step projects about 3 1/4 inches when folded out. When folded it projects maybe 1 inch. It is not a big step (step itself is 3 1/4 by 2 inches) but it is very strong and it has an aggressive tread and is enough. It is through bolted to washers and Nylock nuts, bedded of course.

Without this step it was very difficult for me to climb out of the water when swimming, and likely I could not do it if I fell overboard and was exhausted. Now I have a constantly - deployed swim ladder, a convenience and a real safety feature.

The part I used is similar to S-5099, which is the same casting but in chromed brass. That brass part is cheap ($17.00) but I wanted a better material.

Nicholas Walsh
Nicholas H. Walsh P.A.
111 Commercial Street
Portland Maine 04101
Tel. 207/772-2191
fax 207/774-3940

This email was sent from the law firm of Nicholas H. Walsh P.A. It may contain information that is privileged and confidential. If you suspect that you were not intended to receive this email, please delete it and notify us as soon as possible. Thank you.

groundhogyh · Aug 15, 2006

Here's my guess...

P=I*V
If the battery is hooked to the dynastart, the voltage will likely not get much higher than 13 volts. So plug in 135 or 90 for P in the equation, and 13 for the V and you can calculate the approximate I.
groundhog

coonhopper2000 · Aug 15, 2006

Thanks GHOG ....Puffin

groundhog groundhog1rb@... wrote:

Here's my guess...

P=I*V
If the battery is hooked to the dynastart, the voltage will likely not get much higher than 13 volts. So plug in 135 or 90 for P in the equation, and 13 for the V and you can calculate the approximate I.
groundhog

stevebirch2002 · Aug 16, 2006

You are correct. Ohms Law strikes again!!

Expect about 8 - 10 amps. Good idea to put a 10 amp fuse in line with
charging circuit so as not to burn the charging windings out (very
expensive).

Cheers

Steve Birch (Technical)