Notice:
The advice given on this site is based upon individual or quoted experience, yours may differ.
The Officers, Staff and members of this site only provide information based upon the concept that anyone utilizing this information does so at their own risk and holds harmless all contributors to this site.
Hello all - this is the first of several questions....i'll keep them in separate topics for better organization and future search. And because I haven't thought of them all.
I purchased a boarding ladder that would be installed on the transom. But i have the standard non-split single tube stern rail. Does anyone have this combo and is it a complete hassle to climb underneath or over the rail? I bought it last year, so i can't return it.
And if i do install it, how does one back up the bolts? Can't seem to reach the area just through the hull, so bolts would have to go all the way through to the quarter berth. Is that a crazy idea....would it be solid enough to hold the ladder and people without twisting and breaking something?
You said bolts going all the way through to the quarter berth, so we must assume that your outboard mount is on the port side of the boat. Which in my view makes it easier. I would buy 1 or 2 8" inspection ports and install them at the end of the quarter berth thereby giving you access to the area you need in order to do the installation right. My swim ladder and motor mount happen to be the opposite of yours. Good luck.
Mine is also on opposite side. It was backed up on the inside with some scrap fiberglass about 3 x 14in or so and a 1/4in thick. When I refit all my hardware I went ahead and epoxied it to the inside of the transom. It feels much better now, I think it was starting to get a little soft. I also have a solid one piece rail and we climb over it. I usually grab on to th backstay for support. I wouldn't do it in a huge hurry though. I have had to abort mission, but that was probably for other reasons:)
I decided not to install the ladder. Figured I'd wait to seem if I needed one (last year on a slip; this year on a mooring with launch service) for height difference. I'd pick up a quick step if i needed it. Boat splashed this weekend; no real need of steps. The launch is an easy step. The inflatable dinghy last year was a climb - if that were my main way onto the boat; i'd be laddering!
thanks! I'll install it next spring. It would be good to have if i've already got the parts.
Notice: The advice given on this site is based upon individual or quoted experience, yours may differ. The Officers, Staff and members of this site only provide information based upon the concept that anyone utilizing this information does so at their own risk and holds harmless all contributors to this site.