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Catalina/Capri 25/250 Sailor's Forums

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Dock Steps

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Voyager
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
5378 Posts

Initially Posted - 10/06/2010 : 14:18:25

Does anybody use dock steps? My dock sits about 22" below the top of the gunwales, and the admiral sometimes has a problem gettting aboard. I was thinking of building a wooden platform out of 2x6s that is 7" tall and 24 x 24"

Does anybody have photos to post?

My father-in-law built a set of beautiful steps for my first year at Brewers with Passage. I used them year 1 and 2 and secured them using a small line tied to the dock cleats.

At the end of season 2 the boat was hoisted out and shortly thereafter we had a nor-easter storm. Once the storm had passed, I went to the dock to retrieve the steps, and lo - they were gone!

Although I put word out with my dockmates and the yard, I never got them back. Someone suggested they sprouted feet! hmmmmm.....

Bruce Ross
Passage ~ SR-FK ~ C25 #5032

Port Captain � Milford, CT

Edited by - Voyager on 10/06/2010 14:19:17

JohnP
Master Marine Consultant

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1520 Posts

Response Posted - 10/06/2010 : 15:11:36

JimB has dock steps that he found being used as a nest by a baby mallard.

Design: Plywood, 2 steps, 20" wide, 20" high for both steps.

Edited by - on

Stinkpotter
Master Marine Consultant

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Djibouti
9081 Posts

Response Posted - 10/06/2010 : 15:23:18

Do it with 2x10s and you'll split the difference. You could use some 1x or plywood for the deck if you want a little less weight.

Edited by - Stinkpotter on 10/06/2010 15:24:04

John Russell
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
3444 Posts

Response Posted - 10/06/2010 : 17:14:55

Here's a shot of mine. It's simply a box of pressure treated 2x6's and decking.

. Came with the boat when I bought it.

Edited by - on

Slingerland
1st Mate

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USA
96 Posts

Response Posted - 10/06/2010 : 17:32:06

Like John, the steps I use were crafted by the previous owner of similar materials:

Edited by - on

jerlim
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
1484 Posts

Response Posted - 10/06/2010 : 17:41:20

the prefab plastic units, available from WM, are simply outrageously priced...we built our own 2 step unit from 2 x 6 stock for the inlaws...

Edited by - on

Voyager
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
5378 Posts

Response Posted - 10/06/2010 : 18:10:45

hear hear
<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">the prefab plastic units, available from WM, are simply outrageously priced...<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">
and they crack and split when they freeze up!

Edited by - on

piseas
Former Treasurer

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USA
2017 Posts

Response Posted - 10/07/2010 : 06:33:36

I got [url="http://www.acehardware.com/product/index.jsp?productId=1287578&kw=steps&origkw=steps&searchId=51113444243"]this[/url], primarily for my dog. I even had a 50% off coupon. It stores nicely in my dock box. I dont have to worry about cracking as it never freezes here in SoCal.

Steve A

Edited by - piseas on 10/07/2010 06:34:58

Stinkpotter
Master Marine Consultant

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Djibouti
9081 Posts

Response Posted - 10/07/2010 : 07:06:02

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by Voyager
 hear hear
<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">the prefab plastic units, available from WM, are simply outrageously priced...<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">
and they crack and split when they freeze up!
<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">Freeze up?? I didn't know plastic freezes... I'd better get the plastic ice trays out of my freezer!

Edited by - on

delliottg
Former Mainsheet C250 Tech Editor

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USA
4479 Posts

Response Posted - 10/07/2010 : 07:43:12

We use one of these: [URL="http://www.acehardware.com/product/index.jsp?productId=1378227"]Folding step stool[/URL]. The nice thing is, it folds up & stows in the coaming pocket. And they're relatively cheap.

Edited by - on

piseas
Former Treasurer

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USA
2017 Posts

Response Posted - 10/07/2010 : 08:34:16

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by Stinkpotter
 <blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by Voyager
 hear hear
<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">the prefab plastic units, available from WM, are simply outrageously priced...<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">
and they crack and split when they freeze up!
<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">Freeze up?? I didn't know plastic freezes... I'd better get the plastic ice trays out of my freezer!

<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">
David, sharp wit so early in the AM!

Steve A

Edited by - on

Stinkpotter
Master Marine Consultant

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Djibouti
9081 Posts

Response Posted - 10/07/2010 : 09:17:29

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by piseas
 David, sharp wit so early in the AM!

<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">Thanks--actually it's three hours later here...

(Posted 12:17 pm EDT)

Edited by - Stinkpotter on 10/07/2010 09:18:52

piseas
Former Treasurer

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USA
2017 Posts

Response Posted - 10/07/2010 : 09:28:52

Oops, I take it back!

Sharp wit 24/7

Steve A

Edited by - on

jbkayaker
Captain

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USA
299 Posts

Response Posted - 10/07/2010 : 11:00:18

A simple wooden box step large enough to accommodate both feet with room to spare is safer than a ladder because it is easy to regain your balance if the boat or floating dock moves unexpectedly. A height half way between the dock and the point where you step off the boat works well.

Edited by - on

piseas
Former Treasurer

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USA
2017 Posts

Response Posted - 10/07/2010 : 15:16:18

Jim that should be fine but a word of caution as I have seen some slip when placed on a wood dock. Better if box placed on carpet, etc. Regardless, make sure everyone is holding on to something secure on boat for balance. Believe me I have had my share of mishaps-ouch!
Steve A

Edited by - on

Voyager
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
5378 Posts

Response Posted - 10/07/2010 : 18:42:55

Standard step height is 7". For a 22" difference, I'd need one step 7" high leading to a platform 14" high. This is like the steps my father-in-law built back in the day. I guess I could re-create a set...... that'll be my 1st winter project after I hoist the boat.

By the way, ABS plastic (ice cube trays) don't typically get brittle when frozen, but ABS is unsuitable for applications stiff enough for steps - they wouldn't hold up.

Edited by - on

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