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Companionway ladder

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elixir
Deckhand

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USA
4 Posts

Initially Posted - 08/28/2012 : 12:35:03

I would like to be able to secure the companionway ladder in the up position in order to better access the aft berth. Has anyone done this, or have any ideas? Thanks

Elixir
2001 Catalina 250WK
#521
Southern Oregon

Edited by - on

Nautiduck
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
3704 Posts

Response Posted - 08/28/2012 : 15:05:31

[url="http://www.catalina-capri-25s.org/forum/topic.asp?ARCHIVE=true&TOPIC_ID=18115&SearchTerms=Step"]Nauti Duck Stair Master[/url]

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delliottg
Former Mainsheet C250 Tech Editor

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USA
4479 Posts

Response Posted - 08/28/2012 : 15:33:39

We will just slide a boat pole underneath the ladder to keep it up out of the way. I have to admit that it scares me a bit to do it if we managed to start a fire in the cabin or something. I've thought about making a pre-scored wooden support that'd break with a stout pull on the ladder. I'd think if there was a fire or flooding, adrenalin would provide all the oomph you'd need to break it.

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elixir
Deckhand

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USA
4 Posts

Response Posted - 08/28/2012 : 17:37:50

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by delliottg
 We will just slide a boat pole underneath the ladder to keep it up out of the way. I have to admit that it scares me a bit to do it if we managed to start a fire in the cabin or something. I've thought about making a pre-scored wooden support that'd break with a stout pull on the ladder. I'd think if there was a fire or flooding, adrenalin would provide all the oomph you'd need to break it.
<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">
Good idea using something to prop the ladder up, I was thinking about using a strap to hold it but I am not to wild about drilling holes in the cabin top. Thanks

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TakeFive
Master Marine Consultant

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2272 Posts

Response Posted - 08/28/2012 : 17:43:35

My boat has a brass hook screwed into the most forward part of the port-side wood bulkhead a few inches below the roof liner. I use it to hang a boat hook. When I want to keep the ladder up I secure it to the hook with a small bungee loop.

However, I share David's fire escape concerns. Maybe the bungee would melt in the heat? (I know, not funny!)

Edited by - TakeFive on 08/28/2012 17:44:18

John Russell
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
3444 Posts

Response Posted - 08/29/2012 : 15:23:18

I use my boat hook with the hook end wedged in the stairs and the butt end in the corner formed by the aft bert, the cabin sole and the head wall. To prevent slippage of the pole, I use a 10" bungee sail-tie wrapped around the hook and stair post. The downside with this is that it doesn't get the stairs high enough for the head door to clear if the pop top isn't raised and I rarely raise the pop top. But, that's easily solved when necessary.

Edited by - John Russell on 08/29/2012 15:25:05

TakeFive
Master Marine Consultant

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2272 Posts

Response Posted - 08/31/2012 : 04:00:40

I think this is worth re-posting in its entirety:
<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by Nautiduck
 This mod works for wing keels but I think a WB could adapt it for some benefit as well. We wanted better access to the aft berth during the night so as not to disturb one another during uses of the head, etc. So I starting concocting all sorts of technical mods. Then the Admiral suggested putting a piece of wood across the companionway to hold up the steps (the steps swing up). Simple project and it works!

The head door swings under the raised steps.

Here is the pivot point. Looks like you could duplicate this using SS bimini fittings.

The raised steps just fit within the pop top enclosure too!
<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">
I really, really like this because it gets the ladder way up high for easy access into the aft berth, and out of the way of the head door. I don't raise the pop top often, but will probably be raising it this weekend for a small cruise that we plan to do. So I've already pulled out a piece of scrap 1x3 which I plan to cut down to 37.5" tonight.

Edited by - TakeFive on 08/31/2012 04:01:04

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