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Catalina/Capri 25/250 Sailor's Forums

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Swim Ladder

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sanibelle
Deckhand

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USA
22 Posts

Initially Posted - 01/12/2006 : 17:22:57

Sanibelle's motor is mounted on the port side. How does one go about mounting a swim ladder? Any special considerations? Suggestions, pictures, etc., would be appreciated. Thanks guys.

Joe Russo, 1980 TR/FK

Edited by - on

djn
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
1561 Posts

Response Posted - 01/12/2006 : 17:41:48

Hi Joe, I am getting ready to do this and what I have seen is that the ladder, when folded, is even with the top of the pulpit. so if you tie up the bottom rug, when folded, to the stern pulpit, then mark your holes. My engine is on the port side as well. Cheers.

Edited by - on

Derek Crawford
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
3324 Posts

Response Posted - 01/12/2006 : 18:30:51

Joe - when I installed a ladder on "This Side Up" I positioned ladder so that the stand-offs were as low as possible on the transom, then marked the holes. This gets the lowest rung as deep in the water as possible and makes boarding much easier!

Derek

Edited by - on

Dave Bristle
Master Marine Consultant

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Djibouti
10005 Posts

Response Posted - 01/12/2006 : 20:45:01

Just be sure you know where the holes are going to be relative to the shelf at the back of the quarterberth, and that you'll be able to reach them to tighten down some nuts. If it's below the rail in the up position, it'll just rest on the top of the transom. As discussed in another thread, there's good reason not to tie or velcro it to anything.

Edited by - on

tinob
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
1883 Posts

Response Posted - 01/13/2006 : 08:31:43

Hi Joe,

I have a different perspective relative to the Catalina ladder. If my boat had'nt come with a ladder I'd go with a removable one, one that would be stowable in the port cockpit locker. It seems that as I get older and less athletic I need a ladder that has its first step deeper in the water. No amount of lowering the stock ladder will get the bottom rung as deep as I need. At this juncture I'm considering adding a step or two to the existing ladder rather than getting rid of the original. I just have'nt designed it yet.

Val on the hard DAGNABIT # 3936...Patchogue

Edited by - on

DanM
Captain

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USA
256 Posts

Response Posted - 01/13/2006 : 08:40:02

Climbing up and over the stern pulpit requires a lot of agility.
Consider a gunwale hook ladder. No holes to drill.
But, if you go for a transom mount, get an extension that puts two rungs below water level.

Edited by - on

Derek Crawford
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
3324 Posts

Response Posted - 01/13/2006 : 11:05:41

Val - I have the same problem with agility (or lack of it!). After buying and sending back 3 other ladders, I finally found a C27 (IB version) ladder was long enough to get two steps in the water when mounted as low as possible.
Derek

Edited by - on

djn
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
1561 Posts

Response Posted - 01/13/2006 : 12:38:03

Hi Derek, does "IB" mean inboard? Where did you buy your ladder? Cheers.

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tinob
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
1883 Posts

Response Posted - 01/13/2006 : 12:56:53

Derek, Howdy !

Ya wanna compare LACK of mobility

Time was when I could shimmy up the tall rig mast without aids of any kind ( maybee a brew or so)Now I use a lifeline tether going to the mast at the dock.

Now that's lack of mobility.

Your turn.

Tell me about the C-27 ladder. Where did it come from? What did it cost? Can a mobility challenged person install such a thing, and will it fit the same hole pattern?

Val on the hard DAGNABIT # 3936 Patchogue,N.Y.

Edited by - on

wmeinert@kconline.com
Past Commodore

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USA
353 Posts

Response Posted - 01/13/2006 : 14:36:55

To solve the depth of the ladder, try making a rope step. I measured the depth of my ladder steps and made a rope ladder step that easily bends out of the way but gives you that "one" deeper step that we all seem to need. You can use wood or HDLC plastic. It really is an easy thing to make. Just simply hang it below the last metal rung on the ladder.

Bill Meinert

Edited by - on

Derek Crawford
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
3324 Posts

Response Posted - 01/13/2006 : 17:22:00

Hi Val - I think that you win the "lack of mobility" contest! I'm still pretty active but have a bum knee that makes getting onto a ladder in the water a problem.
I bought the ladder at least 10 years ago - I believe from CD and I think it cost about $125. I don't know about the hole pattern as "TSU" didn't have a transom ladder when we bought her - just that plastic abortion that hung on the gunwale. It would probably be easiest to install if the boat was on the trailer.
And yes, djn, "IB" does stand for "Inboard", that version has a longer ladder than the outboard model.
Derek

Edited by - on

sweetcraft
Admiral

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USA
816 Posts

Response Posted - 01/14/2006 : 00:44:10

Yes as we get less mobile (older) the ladder does get more inportant but mine is used also to board from the dingy which is tied across the stern. The 79 is on the starboard side which you have to watch the shelf like Dave says (drill with a small drill first just one hole and check). I installed mine with the bottom step even with the stern rail (Dave's suggestion is what now what I wish I would have done and installed it even lower so it wouldn't need a strap to hold it up). The ladder has been used during some very tense moments taking on people from a sailboat that had turtled while my attention was to keep us off it and a lee shore (glad it was ready for use). The bolts are backed with a resin attached oak pad and large washers (my son has tested my work and he is a very big man) On an other tread I shared my latest of making another attached length to the original which also swings down and I can use it to also board while the boat is on the trailer (got to get a picture to share, working on it). The red line releases the ladder and it's extension you can pull while you are in the water (if you have to strap it). Safety is your first consideration because you never know who is going to use it. Also treads, kids don't care but I couldn't use mine without a lot pain until I put on treads. Good boarding.

Edited by - on

djn
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
1561 Posts

Response Posted - 01/14/2006 : 11:27:21

Hi All, here is a link to a cool ladder. If you mounted the four step low enough, you could have three steps in the water when folded down. Cheers.

http://www.westmarine.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/product/10001/-1/10001/50599/10001/32/31/5

Edited by - on

Leon Sisson
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
1893 Posts

Response Posted - 01/14/2006 : 14:20:59

I've used a ladder similar the the [[url="http://www.westmarine.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/product/10001/-1/10001/50599/10001/32/31/5"]Sport/Dive Ladder[/url]] mentioned by Dennis. I would be concerned about the potential for injury from the ends of the ladder rungs if the boat were pitching in a chop.

The stern ladder I use, which I'm very pleased with, consists of stainless tubing uprights with teak treads on the rungs. It attaches to the boat with two stainess hinges just below the hull/deck seam. There are two rubber padded standoffs on the ladder near the bottom of the transom. The ladder has six steps, and folds at hinges just above the waterline. In the up position, the bottom rung is right at the stern rail. Like others have mentioned, I have it tied off in the folded position with a light (3/16") line having a slip knot and a tail hanging down to the waterline. Once the ladder is released, the release line remains attached to the bottom rung, so it can be used to help the ladder unfold, and in a pinch, it's one more way to hang onto the boat. In the down position, the lowest rung is several feet under water.

-- Leon Sisson

Edited by - on

djn
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
1561 Posts

Response Posted - 01/14/2006 : 16:01:15

Hi Leon, what brand ladder do you have? Do you have pics? Cheers.

Edited by - on

Leon Sisson
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
1893 Posts

Response Posted - 01/25/2006 : 00:12:24

Dennis,<blockquote id="quote"><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica" id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"> Hi Leon, what brand ladder do you have? Do you have pics?<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote"></font id="quote">I don't know the brand. It may have been dealer-installed when the boat was first delivered. Here are a couple of pics:
<center>
[url="http://home.mpinet.net/~sissonl/boating/photos/C25_ladder468_Jm.JPG"]

[/url]
[url="http://home.mpinet.net/~sissonl/boating/photos/C25_ladder468_Jm.JPG"]Click to enlarge[/url]

[url="http://home.mpinet.net/~sissonl/boating/photos/C25_ladder469_Jm.JPG"]

[/url]
[url="http://home.mpinet.net/~sissonl/boating/photos/C25_ladder469_Jm.JPG"]Click to enlarge[/url]
</center>
-- Leon Sisson

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djn
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
1561 Posts

Response Posted - 01/25/2006 : 09:59:57

Hi Leon, that looks like a great ladder. Six steps? I think it would be easy to get in and out. On thing about this configuration though, like mine, the engine is on the port side so when you climb up the ladder, do you run right into the backstay? Cheers.

Edited by - on

ClamBeach
Master Marine Consultant

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3072 Posts

Response Posted - 01/25/2006 : 21:51:09

"...port side... do you run right into the backstay"

Probably most of us have split backstays so you have equal opportunity to run into it from either side.

Witty remark aside, having the split backstay helps get it out of the way of the ladder... and improves sailing characteristics of the boat too.

Edited by - on

djn
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
1561 Posts

Response Posted - 01/26/2006 : 05:59:48

Hey CB, converting to a split backstay is on the list, but fairly far down. Maybe next year. Unles of course our Nauticat 44 is out of the shop by then ;>)

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haley
1st Mate

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USA
59 Posts

Response Posted - 01/26/2006 : 09:56:44

Greetings,

I would be a bit concerned about the sport ladder and any other detachable ladder stored inboard. If while single handing you go for an unscheduled dip what are your options for getting back on board? Maybe a handheld waterproof VHF - "Yeah, first find the C25 and then follow the wake - I'm about 2 miles back."

Edited by - on

Stu Jackson C34
Admiral

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844 Posts

Response Posted - 01/26/2006 : 13:28:50

We have the same "the first step is not deep enough" problem on our C34. Many folks have lowered their ladders.

We bought an "Extend a Step" which I think is made by Johnson Marine - it's called "Add A Step 1". Just a ladder rung extension - cost $25.

It's white and has two hooks that easily clamp onto the lower rung with one step that goes deep enough. You can add more if required.

No cutting, no fussing. We put it back in the lazarette when we're done swimming.

Edited by - Stu Jackson C34 on 01/26/2006 13:36:49

Frank Hopper
Past Commodore

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Pitcairn Island
6776 Posts

Response Posted - 01/26/2006 : 14:44:10

Wouldn't a shark in the water do the same thing... get you up that first step?

Edited by - on

PamC
Navigator

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171 Posts

Response Posted - 01/29/2006 : 11:52:54

I'm pretty sure climbing aboard with the ever-too-short swim ladder is one of the more obscure yoga positions

And combined with overcoming the stern pulpit at the top while negotiating the backstay it may well become an olympic event someday. I find when I pull it off smoothly I'm looking around to see if there are judges present holding up score cards.

Back to the topic. We have our OB mounted to port as well and a PO mounted a dive platform/swim ladder combo which can be seen in this thread:
http://www.catalina25-250.org/forum/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=10087& SearchTerms=swim,ladder
There's some good ideas there as well.

Other than wanting more rungs, I really like this arrangement. The platform comes in handy for a lot of things.

Edited by - on

DanM
Captain

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USA
256 Posts

Response Posted - 01/30/2006 : 10:28:14

Nice combo, Pam.
Haley, another danger is Capt. Ron's method!

Edited by - DanM on 01/30/2006 10:29:30

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The Officers, Staff and members of this site only provide information based upon the concept that anyone utilizing this information does so at their own risk and holds harmless all contributors to this site.