NEW SWIM LADDER

foofer b · Post by **foofer b** » Mon Feb 22, 2010 9:33 am

Thanks for the ideas on dinghy mounting, guys. I applied the same idea to spreading the load of the swim platform. Used 3/16 aluminum plate and a long 4 rung telescoping ladder. Next task is the standoff brackets for my dinghy.

ready123 · Post by **ready123** » Mon Feb 22, 2010 2:42 pm

What do you grab onto as you ascend the ladder to the platform? My platform has cutouts on the end sections like the middle section of your platform to grab onto.

randyp · Post by **randyp** » Mon Feb 22, 2010 2:48 pm

Looks good! I like the telescoping feature, and placement under the platform is ideal. Mine's a rigid ladder than pivots down off the top of the platform. I might add another rung as I'm getting older and not as "spry" as I was in days of yore.

foofer b · Post by **foofer b** » Mon Feb 22, 2010 3:24 pm

Gee, Ready, I haven't thought of that yet. I mainly installed it as a backup to my side on, or if I am rafted up and as an emergency ladder, should I ever fall overboard .

Rodman · Post by **Rodman** » Mon Feb 22, 2010 3:34 pm

foofer b wrote:Gee, Ready, I haven't thought of that yet. I mainly installed it as a backup to my side on, or if I am rafted up and as an emergency ladder, should I ever fall overboard .

You should fall over board please let me be there to watch, and laugh while I am helping you back aboard.

Rodman

MattSC · Post by **MattSC** » Mon Feb 22, 2010 6:55 pm

I have an under swim platform mount ladder from Butler Marine. It's best feature is that it extends at an angle which makes it much easier to climb.

http://www.butlermarine.com/LA_Undermount.shtml

foofer b · Post by **foofer b** » Mon Feb 22, 2010 8:46 pm

Yeah, mine too

Rodman · Post by **Rodman** » Mon Feb 22, 2010 9:20 pm

foofer b wrote:Yeah, mine too

Roy I like the ladder also, I am just not wild on the teak being painted white.

wowzer52 · Post by **wowzer52** » Mon Feb 22, 2010 10:57 pm

Nice job foofer, that sure looks good, and familiar too. One thing I did different is to not screw to the swimboard but to run the bolts between the slats to sandwhich the platform. As you can see I did the same with the dingy davits so I could move them in or out if I should use a different dingy. I have used my ladder the way it is when scuba diving and it works great to be able to drop the ladder from the water but I do plan on putting two small stainless handholds/rails on the transom just above the ladder. I also like the four rung ladder on yours, mine is only three rung and could stand to be a little longer. One thing I try to encourage people to do while not under way is to leave the ladder unattached at the top so it can be dropped from the water like you said, in case someone falls in and can't get the ladder folded down. This happened at our dock with an older heavy set gentleman and if someone had not been there he would have drowned because he was out of breath and couldn't get the ladder down on his boat, it was tied at the top where he couldn't reach it. Luckily two of the other members got to him in time. BTW, rimp said to tell you she likes your ladder too. nice job

foofer b · Post by **foofer b** » Tue Feb 23, 2010 7:10 pm

Thanks, I though it turned out weel too. Yeah, Wowzer, you showed me yours back when I had ?'s about mounting dinghy davits and i modeled mine after yours. Because of the layout of the platform, and the mounting holes in the ladder I had to drill through the platform. Also, I wanted to put it right next to the support bracket for the S/P. Good idea on the hand holds too- wiil look into it.