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Catalina/Capri 25/250 Sailor's Forums

Catalina 25 Specific Forum

Transom Ladder

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sanibelle
Deckhand

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USA
22 Posts

Initially Posted - 11/11/2003 : 16:11:37

My 1980 C-25 TRFK has the motor mounted on the port side. I would like to mount a ladder on the starboard side of the transom. My question is how do I access the inside portion of the hull. The locker on that side does not permit access to the hull as is the case on the port side.

I'm sure that this has been accomplished numerous times and consider having it a prerequisite for single-handed sailing. I certainly would appreciate any tips on how to proceed with the mounting.

Joe Russo

Edited by - on

Buzz Maring
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
1771 Posts

Response Posted - 11/11/2003 : 16:56:00

Hi Joe,

Welcome to the group!

My boat also has the motor mount on the port side of the transom, and there is a swim ladder mounted on the starboard side. I have to agree with you, a ladder is an important safety item if you single hand (even if you don't, for that matter).

I'm not sure how your boat is configured ... there is no problem getting to the inside of the transom on the starboard side of my boat. I dug up an old photo of mine ... take a look:

As you can see, the tool locker protrudes down from the ceiling of the quarterberth, but not enough to block access to the inside of the transom at the back. If you look above the shelf at the back of the quarterberth, you can see two sets of three bolts sticking through the transom ... that is where the swim ladder is attached on my boat.

Does the interior of your boat look anything like that?

Edited by - on

Douglas
Master Marine Consultant

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1595 Posts

Response Posted - 11/11/2003 : 19:37:41

Since the Catalina construction uses a cabin liner (A fiberglass shell) inside the hull you will need to cut an access hole. I recomend using the plastic deck plate / access port found at west marine. Use it as a template for cutting the hole in the liner directly infront of where you plan to mount the ladder. Be sure to use a backing plate or large area washers where the lader mounts. http://www.westmarine.com/images/full/22190_f.jpg

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ClamBeach
Master Marine Consultant

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3072 Posts

Response Posted - 11/11/2003 : 21:00:43

On my hull (#158) you can just reach up through the large opening
in the hull liner (as shown in Sr. Maring's photo).

That said, I'm not really sure if any two of these boats are exactly alike.

The Beckson 'deck' plates that Douglas mentioned work well. I used a 'Rotozip' tool in with an accessory circle-cutting guide to make the openings for the various access plates I've installed. Wear a mask and goggles when you cut as it puts out a lot of fiberglass dust.

Edited by - on

Gary
1st Mate

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58 Posts

Response Posted - 11/11/2003 : 21:53:46

By the looks of Buzz's photo I mounted my swim ladder the same way. After scratching my head for several months trying to decide the best way to attach it, I measured carefully then just drilled thru the hull and liner and mounted the damn thing. Did that 2 years ago. No problems thus far. Gary on the "Renegade"

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Sea Trac
Master Marine Consultant

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Vanuatu
1357 Posts

Response Posted - 11/11/2003 : 22:01:26

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by ClamBeach
 On my hull (#158) you can just reach up through the large opening
in the hull liner (as shown in Sr. Maring's photo). That said, I'm not really sure if any two of these boats are exactly alike.<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">

#4849 is the same as Buzz' and Bruce's. However, my motor mount is on starboard where Buzz' swim ladder is mounted, and the swim ladder is on port. The port transom can be accessed through the sail locker by reaching back, over and behind the internal "fuel locker" shelf.

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dlucier
Master Marine Consultant

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Virgin Islands (United Kingdom)
7583 Posts

Response Posted - 11/11/2003 : 22:44:18

My ladder is mounted fairly close to the rub rail and when lowered, the bottom rung of my 4 rung ladder is just below the surface. This makes it somewhat of an excercise to get back in the boat because I must bring my foot up quite high to get to that first rung. If I were
mounting a new ladder, I would have it so the bottom rung was fairly deep in the water to make boarding easier.

Additionally, my ladder has tubular rungs which are kind of painful on the feet. Broader rungs would be gentler on the feet.

Edited by - on

deastburn
Captain

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USA
334 Posts

Response Posted - 11/11/2003 : 22:56:08

Once this summer I stepped out of my dinghy onto my C25, and in one of those increasingly common senior moments forgot to hold onto the painter. I turned to see the dinghy drifting away at a good clip. I dove after it (what the heck--the water was warm) and towed it back to "Wood Duck". I found the outboard bracket very easy to climb up, and had no difficulty getting back into the boat.

I have a removable folding ss transom lasser which drops down 18 inches below the surface--very convenient for swimming. Unfortunately it drags when on starboard tack, so I tend to remove it when sailing.

Edited by - on

Frank Hopper
Past Commodore

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Pitcairn Island
6776 Posts

Response Posted - 11/12/2003 : 08:57:20

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by dlucier
 Additionally, my ladder has tubular rungs which are kind of painful on the feet. Broader rungs would be gentler on the feet.
<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">

Buy steps and through bolt them on the rungs. CD has them as does my local dealer, they are a heavy white compound material like a rubber. CHEAP!

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dlucier
Master Marine Consultant

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Virgin Islands (United Kingdom)
7583 Posts

Response Posted - 11/12/2003 : 09:54:38

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Buy steps and through bolt them on the rungs. CD has them as does my local dealer, they are a heavy white compound material like a rubber. CHEAP!<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">

I don't have my CD catalog handy, but I believe that when I checked on the prices for the add-on steps they weren't that cheap. I'm considering making steps from Starboard.

If you look at this picture from West Marine, the middle picture illustrates how I board my boat. It's not a pretty sight!

For more information on boarding ladders, check out this link to the West Advisor.

[url="http://www.westmarine.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/WestAdvisorDisplayView?advisor=boardingladders.htm"]Boarding Ladders[/url]

Edited by - on

Buzz Maring
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
1771 Posts

Response Posted - 11/12/2003 : 11:10:43

My ladder is mounted fairly close to the rub rail and when lowered, the bottom rung of my 4 rung ladder is just below the surface. This makes it somewhat of an excercise to get back in the boat because I must bring my foot up quite high to get to that first rung. - Don

Hi Don,

I could have sworn that when this subject came up once before that you had a solution ... you had bought a gizmo that clipped onto the bottom rung of your ladder, essentially adding an additional, removable step to the bottom ... was that someone else

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sanibelle
Deckhand

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USA
22 Posts

Response Posted - 11/13/2003 : 11:07:31

Thanks guys for your input. I hope to get to the boat (Sanibelle) soon to check out just what my situation is, and will let you know how my installation works out.

Joe Russo

Edited by - on

Sid
Navigator

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129 Posts

Response Posted - 11/13/2003 : 14:22:37

I placed a gunwale mount ladder on my C25 on the port side. It has two mounting pieces that permanently attach to the coaming. The ladder is removed when sailing and hung on the aft dinette seat back. A PO had mounts in the same location but the ladder was not around when I purchased the boat. The new ladder mounts were slightly wider. It isn't as convenient as a permanently mounted transom ladder, but it doesn't drag when heeled and is easier to board since the stern rail isn't in the way. It has flat stainless steps on the rungs. It is a West Marine brand and I believe retail was $134.99. The Admiral likes it much better than the pvc/rope MOB ladder we were using previously

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