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Swim Ladder

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Sidurian
1st Mate

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USA
27 Posts

Initially Posted - 08/28/2002 : 17:29:40

Has anyone successfully accessed the bolts to the swim ladder from inside the transom? I was trying to tighten all six nuts (three on each side of the ladder) from inside the port cockpit locker and managed to reach only five - I think only something smaller than a midget could get to that last one. Suggestions for alternatives would be appreciated as well.

There's always something!

Edited by - on

Douglas
Master Marine Consultant

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1595 Posts

Response Posted - 08/31/2002 : 11:22:22

I was in my port locker yeasterday. All 260 lbs of me. I can see the outbd nuts and bolts just fine. The inboard one are hidden further in behind the cockpit mold. You hight try finding someone with small arms and a slim build to help you. Its either that or installing a deck access plate in the aft cockpit.

Doug&Ruth
Wind Lass
Tacoma Wa.

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Dennis Pierce
1st Mate

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USA
59 Posts

Response Posted - 09/01/2002 : 10:19:35

Use a ratcheting box wrench

Dennis Pierce
Gypsy Witch #1719

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Sabur
Deckhand

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8 Posts

Response Posted - 09/01/2002 : 23:22:54

A year ago I took by ladder off to install steps. The top inboard bolt was the most difficult to access. I'm 6'1" and 190 lbs and have relatively long slender arms (34/35 inch sleeve). If I remember correctly I could just touch the upper inboard bolt with my fingertips. I took a small ratchet, with I think a long socket, and put the socket on the nut by feel. It wasn't too difficult. Backing up a bit to the two lower bolts: I would do the same thing and place the handle of the ratchet such that when I (I was by myself) went outside the boat to unscrew (or tighten)the bolt, the end of the ratchet handle would run into the horizontal fiberglass surface on which my arm was resting when I put the socket on the nut from inside the locker. This would "hold" the nut while I unscrewed (or tightened) the bolt from the outside. For the top bolt, the ratchet handle was not long enough to contact the horizontal surface. I simply found a short round piece of tube that fit over the end of the ratchet handle to extend its length. You may or may not have to tape it in place so that it does not slide up the handle.

I can remember thinking at the time that I was glad I did not have short "body builder" arms! It was a little tight. Also, having an assistant speeds things up. Having to get in and out of the locker, down the ladder (the boat was on the hard) then back up the ladder and "down the hatch" over and over again got old kinda fast!

Mike Bur
Excalibur
#3959
1983 SR/FK

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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.