fly bridge ladder on an F-25 with abnormal hardtop/tower

jefflaw35 · Post by **jefflaw35** » Sat Apr 28, 2012 8:48 pm

thinking about finding one and cutting it to fit. I have a sight tower for my hardtop. Hard top ladder is dangerous to climb, almost considering adding ladder to port side next to cabin window. Maybe even a suddle front 4-5 steps with no railing. I dont want it on the deck like the bigger boats. Has anyone ever seen this before? I have it pictured in my head but....

Nancy · Post by **Nancy** » Sat Apr 28, 2012 9:06 pm

Got a photo of the existing setup?

jefflaw35 · Post by **jefflaw35** » Sat Apr 28, 2012 9:11 pm

i havent looked at this pic in months. she is ugly in a good way

Nancy · Post by **Nancy** » Sat Apr 28, 2012 9:38 pm

Boy, I dunno, maybe it's just me, but I'd ditch that upper contraption. It doesn't do a thing for me! Yeah, I know, you want it for fishing.

A ladder in the cockpit would take a lot of real estate and also be quite distracting visually. Ladder at port window would be dangerous, too. What about fabricating some handholds or grab bars or something at the top of the tower ladder?

Big D · Post by **Big D** » Sat Apr 28, 2012 9:42 pm

Do you not use the aft hardtop posts as ladders? Saw this done before but maybe it was a beefier build.

captainmaniac · Post by **captainmaniac** » Sat Apr 28, 2012 9:45 pm

How about steps with railings to the foredeck or cabin top? You might lose a bit of visibility from the helm, but if they are small enough and parallel enough with line of site might not be too much of a problem. Plus whoever is going up and down will be doing it right in the middle of the boat - safest place to be.

9rock · Post by **9rock** » Sat Apr 28, 2012 9:51 pm

Nancy wrote:Boy, I dunno, maybe it's just me, but I'd ditch that upper contraption. It doesn't do a thing for me! Yeah, I know, you want it for fishing.

A ladder in the cockpit would take a lot of real estate and also be quite distracting visually. Ladder at port window would be dangerous, too. What about fabricating some handholds or grab bars or something at the top of the tower ladder?

well that would depend on the use ,, I like it for cobia site fishing and off shore tuna in his area no way I would remove it ,, I would use the leg as a ladder mabe some flip down pegs staggerd on the side , I would also consider the attenas up there,

9

prowlersfish · Post by **prowlersfish** » Sun Apr 29, 2012 8:22 am

It has the ladder built in , yes its not the easiest to use but how often is the area going to be used ? there are no controls up there and the cost of adding them is $$$$ .( major rework of the top ) If it was mine the set up on top would be gone . But keep the hard top it looks great .

jefflaw35 · Post by **jefflaw35** » Sun Apr 29, 2012 8:59 am

I agree It looks horible and wont get used unless im Cobia sighting and wife is at the helm. The only way to make it look normal is to add the bench seat and rod holders. It may very well be left off. I would still like access to the top and the built in ladder is just not safe IMO There not hard to use but I can still see it going wrong one day.

Big D · Post by **Big D** » Sun Apr 29, 2012 9:09 am

Wait until you finish your project, put her in the water, then use her for a while. You will then get twofootitice and then perhaps you can shop for one with a flybridge

prowlersfish · Post by **prowlersfish** » Sun Apr 29, 2012 10:10 am

X2

Its happend to me more then once , only it 4+footitice 21 to 25 to 30 to 36 , Just got to find the $$ for the 40 footer

Torcan · Post by **Torcan** » Sun Apr 29, 2012 10:58 am

Big D wrote:Wait until you finish your project, put her in the water, then use her for a while. You will then get twofootitice and then perhaps you can shop for one with a flybridge

+2

That boat looks great, but the thing on top looks "FUGLY"

But it would be a great place to put the Mother-in-Law

9rock · Post by **9rock** » Sun Apr 29, 2012 11:26 am

jefflaw35 wrote:I agree It looks horible and wont get used unless im Cobia sighting and wife is at the helm. The only way to make it look normal is to add the bench seat and rod holders. It may very well be left off. I would still like access to the top and the built in ladder is just not safe IMO There not hard to use but I can still see it going wrong one day.

In that case put boots on the bottom and make it removable

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DOUBLE R · Post by **DOUBLE R** » Sun Apr 29, 2012 4:25 pm

I like it and would use it.

trojanmanXS · Post by **trojanmanXS** » Mon Apr 30, 2012 5:29 am

well I see the ans is pretty diverse here so I'll chime in as well. Like someone said the ladderwork on the sides that are already present would suit me fine to climb on.I can see where maybe a piece to grab when you get up there to help finish the accent. As far as removing it I would leave it and use it , looks like some more safe square footage to the boat. I do think its missing something up there ......yes get some lights up there two beaming back two more beaming the bow and the leaning seat. And rod holders.