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Catalina/Capri 25/250 Sailor's Forums

Capri 25 Specific Forum

Stern swim ladder

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leebitts
Navigator

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USA
122 Posts

Initially Posted - 02/23/2008 : 12:18:29

I want to add a swim ladder to the transom. Any insight as to brand and or any thing to be concerned about regarding this? My outboard motor mount is in the center of the transom

LeeBitts
1981 Capri 25 Hull # 142
Sailing in NH and Maine

Edited by - on

Ericson33
Admiral

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USA
892 Posts

Response Posted - 02/24/2008 : 14:18:30

Lee,
I have installed a swim ladder on the Starboard side of the transom, It was a standard west marine ladder that had the quick clips for removing the ladder if needed. I had to take the ladder to my local welder and have one of the steps removed from the ladder plus 11" to make sure the ladder cleared the water, and that the u-shaped pads would still hit the transom. I have our motor mounted on the port side of the transom, so I may have more room to work with than you might. I have the ladder tied off to the pulpit and it is stored in the starboard storage hatch.

Just a FYI, we were finishing a race last year and Kim my wife wanted to get in the lake before the next start. she dove in the water taking hold of the spinnaker sheet as we sailed towards the starting line. I took the ladder and attached it to the transom, as she got close to the transom. As she was coming up the ladder she grabed the backstay as a gust hit the main, the backstay tightened and ripped the skin off her hand. So be carefull out there and grab the transom pulpit, not the backstay.

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1981capri
Navigator

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USA
175 Posts

Response Posted - 02/25/2008 : 12:00:21

We have a little one that hooks over the transom and has adjustable feet with rubber stoppers that fold out to go against the transom. It folds flat and fits down the starboard locker. We have center mount motor so it can go on either side, but it is not for permanent mounting and hangs down in the water, so it wouldn't work to leave it on while under way. It came with the boat so I don't know the brand. I have put it on to see how it fits, but I haven't actually used it to get out of the water and I'm a little worried that if we used it much it might damage the boat. I just consider it a piece of safety equipment that along with the life sling might help get someone out of the water in a MOB situation. We don't swim much in the Columbia river. It's pretty cold water and there is something about it running out of Canada

and by the Hanford nuclear reservation

that makes me a little leery of swimming in it.

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joearcht
Navigator

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USA
241 Posts

Response Posted - 02/25/2008 : 15:03:44

I have something similar to what Dan is describing. I modified one of the standoffs so it would hit the transom in all conditions (raised it up a little higher). I have a center mounted motor and use ours on the starboard side. It is a little flimsy and loose but I can haul my 240+ pounds up it without doing any damage to me or the boat.
I searched all over for a good one to mount and never found one I was happy with. Guess if you went Chris's route and had one custom modified you would have a decent install. I race mostly and decided that having a cleaner transom was probably more important than having an easy out of the water. But I've still not solved the "what if" I go overboard problem yet, so far I just haven't gone solo sailing, but the day will come when I'll have to solve that problem. Thinking about one of those "ropes in a bag" possibly, but I've tried getting out of the water with a rope ladder on this boat and that was just to painful for me (not enough vertical freeboard). It was like climbing a ladder upside down. That's all I can add.

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Captain Ballast
1st Mate

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USA
38 Posts

Response Posted - 02/26/2008 : 08:10:25

I want to put a ladder on the transom of my Capri 25!

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leebitts
Navigator

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USA
122 Posts

Response Posted - 03/02/2008 : 07:06:17

Thanks for the insights on this. I'll keep looking. My interest is mob as well as being able to easily enjoy swimming off the boat. Rope ladders are not real useful for anyone older than about 21.

Being dragged along while holding the spinaker sheet sounds like an absolute blast! Just added that to my must do list.

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Captain Ballast
1st Mate

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USA
38 Posts

Response Posted - 03/05/2008 : 13:05:13

Please post your results. A ladder is a must for the Capri if you plan on jumping over.

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leebitts
Navigator

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USA
122 Posts

Response Posted - 04/16/2008 : 20:18:54

I am now looking at this in detail. Given I have a 24 year old son who will sail the boat with his girl friends and will likely anchor and go swimming I do need a "proper" swim ladder. I'll report what I come up with.

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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.