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Old 01-28-2014, 12:33 PM   #1
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Question Boarding Ladder/Steps

My wife, who I just talked into owning a boat, has difficulty boarding and disembarking from our boat while traveling to other ports. I have been shopping both removable stairs and ladders to be attached to either side and find them to be extremely pricey. I've resigned myself to ladders as the stairs start @ around $2k. Does anyone have experience with these? Also, anywhere I can check for alternative sources? New Wave Fabricators (Boat Ladders - Tide Rider Ladders - New Wave Fabrication) is the only one I've found so far with a quality product.

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Paul
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Old 01-28-2014, 01:31 PM   #2
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I made a 2 step 24 wide by 12 inch deep (top step has a notch cut down to 9" wide so you don't catch your toes) ladder with the Perko ladder catches screwed in under both boarding openings in the rail. It's made of 1x12 oak from Lowes and gets the usual approvals from others.

It's loved by my girlfriend who has trouble with many other steps and where it isn't good...we have the $15 Rubbermaid 2 step stepstool that we put on the dock.

After a couple hundred marinas between New Jersey and Cape Canaveral, both floating and fixed....99% they are perfect...the only problem so far has been the Indian River in Florida is down about a foot or a little more and some of the fixed docks are a giant step up (Titusville Muni being the worst so far)..but with the water low many are just dead level with the lower sides of my 40 Albin.
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Old 01-28-2014, 01:35 PM   #3
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Have you looked at fender steps? We were looking for an occasional use ladder and picked one up similar to the one pictured, although we haven't actually used it yet.

FENDER STEP ®
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Old 01-28-2014, 02:15 PM   #4
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Here's another link...

FenderStep? & Fender2step?- the safe way to get on and off boats
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Old 01-28-2014, 02:26 PM   #5
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Not a bad idea, that Fender step. Thanks for the link.
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Old 01-28-2014, 02:35 PM   #6
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I'm making one of these... The hardware is available from a couple of different sources.
Attached Thumbnails
ladder_1402_529.jpg  
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Old 01-28-2014, 02:50 PM   #7
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Quote:
Originally Posted by psneeld View Post
I made a 2 step 24 wide by 12 inch deep (top step has a notch cut down to 9" wide so you don't catch your toes) ladder with the Perko ladder catches screwed in under both boarding openings in the rail. It's made of 1x12 oak from Lowes and gets the usual approvals from others.

It's loved by my girlfriend who has trouble with many other steps and where it isn't good...we have the $15 Rubbermaid 2 step stepstool that we put on the dock.

After a couple hundred marinas between New Jersey and Cape Canaveral, both floating and fixed....99% they are perfect...the only problem so far has been the Indian River in Florida is down about a foot or a little more and some of the fixed docks are a giant step up (Titusville Muni being the worst so far)..but with the water low many are just dead level with the lower sides of my 40 Albin.
I like the idea of the sturdy oak steps but I think I'd probably need three steps which would make for a pretty heavy ladder. Are the rails made of oak as well?
I will make some measurements and consider.

Thanks
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Old 01-28-2014, 02:55 PM   #8
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Quote:
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Have you looked at fender steps? We were looking for an occasional use ladder and picked one up similar to the one pictured, although we haven't actually used it yet.

FENDER STEP ®
Another great idea. Thanks.
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Old 01-28-2014, 03:02 PM   #9
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Giggitoni View Post
I'm making one of these... The hardware is available from a couple of different sources.
That looks like the ticket. Where to get the hardware?

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Old 01-28-2014, 03:07 PM   #10
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I think for anyone with mobility or coordination problems, a step hung by ropes that can move around is probably not the best solution.

Marine catalogs are full of steps for boarding boats or docks. Something made of stainless steel should be lighter than wood for the same strength.

Here's a start:

boarding ladder | Overton’s
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Old 01-28-2014, 03:27 PM   #11
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That looks like the ticket. Where to get the hardware?

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Try these folks:

Buck Algonquin Boarding Ladder Hardware - Boarding Ladders - Deck & Hull Hardware - Downwind Marine
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Old 01-28-2014, 05:31 PM   #12
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I think for anyone with mobility or coordination problems, a step hung by ropes that can move around is probably not the best solution.
I also question the stability of a rope-hung step. Ray's solution is better.
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Old 01-28-2014, 05:35 PM   #13
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I'm making one of these... The hardware is available from a couple of different sources.
Similar to what I explained in post #2 and made for my boat.
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Old 01-28-2014, 05:39 PM   #14
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Originally Posted by Giggitoni View Post
I'm making one of these... The hardware is available from a couple of different sources.
Nice steps, Ray!
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