Fore deck folding ladder

SVal · Posted: Wed Feb 03, 2016 2:12 am Post subject: Fore deck folding ladder

Got my folding ladder installed today. Once I got passed the drilling of holes it was easy. Tested today on my 300lb. friend.
Thanks for the idea C-Brats
Trying to figure out how to post a picture, one is on my photo album of my 1st project C-Dory.

Sea Wolf · Posted: Wed Feb 03, 2016 5:54 am Post subject:

SVal- Nice job!

Here are the photos:

New ladder down.

The ladder makes getting in/out of the boat from shore easy without a dock!

New ladder retracted.

Joni Lynn · Posted: Fri Feb 05, 2016 4:55 pm Post subject:

Ahoy Pacemaker,
I'm checking out your boarding ladder and I'm considering doing the same thing. Where did you purchase it, model # etc.? From the looks of the pics, I'm guessing it's telescopic, and when retracted flips over and lays on the deck. Topside, does it fit in brackets and removable or is it permanently thru-bolted on deck? In any event, it looks great and I may do the exact thing on the Joni Lynn.
Thanks.........Paul

Sea Wolf · Posted: Fri Feb 05, 2016 7:12 pm Post subject:

Joni-Lynn

The ladder I used was a Windline TDL-3X, and through bolts to the deck.

There's a discussion here:

Boarding Planks, Ladders, and Other Ideas

Note the more forward position of the ladder: Won't lay flat on the deck, but is further ashore: a trade-off.

Joe.

Teeth

SVal · Posted: Sat Feb 06, 2016 2:44 am Post subject:

Thanks Joni-Lynn , I got the idea from you and would have given you credit but I couldn't find your post. I had the ladder in my boat house and just mounted it a little farther aft as it folds flat on the deck and is out of sight. My 300 lbs friend, I'm sure he had it maxed out, but it worked with him.

Sea Wolf · Posted: Sat Feb 06, 2016 1:02 pm Post subject:

Another thought:

If you go to a 5-rung ladder, it will extend down far enough under the water that a person could use it to re-enter the boat while at anchor or adrift. Might not be any advantage over an already existing swim step ladder, but any system redundancy (and particularly of safety systems) can be a real plus in an emergency.

I first installed my fore deck ladder 10 years ago and have always thought it was a good original idea/solution to getting off and back onto the boat on a beach type shore. Works great! Wish I had a lot more ideas of this caliber (!) Laughing

Joe.

Joni Lynn · Posted: Sat Feb 06, 2016 4:23 pm Post subject:

Thanks guys, for the input/responses. The Joni Lynn is now quietly sleeping in the back yard covered with snow and ice; however, it's that time of the year when noodling out minor boat projects seems to keep one's spirits a bit higher even though it doesn't necessarily cause Spring to get here any quicker. Thanks again,
Paul