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fisherkb
Joined: 04 Sep 2005 Posts: 70 City/Region: Austin
State or Province: TX
C-Dory Year: 1989
C-Dory Model: 22 Cruiser
Vessel Name: Slack Tide
Photos: C-Hunt
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Posted: Fri Nov 09, 2007 4:47 pm Post subject: Trailer Bow Ladders |
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I was looking at Anna Leigh's very impressive upgrade gallery and noticed a picture of a bow ladder on the her trailer. I really think such a ladder would be a big help for both working on the boat and launching it. I have searched for an after-market ladder (I have an EZ loader tandem trailer) to no avail. Does anyone know where I can get one? Do I need to have it custom fabricated?
thanks,
Karl |
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Sea Wolf
Joined: 01 Nov 2003 Posts: 8650 City/Region: Redding
State or Province: CA
C-Dory Year: 1987
C-Dory Model: 22 Cruiser
Vessel Name: Sea Wolf
Photos: Sea Wolf
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Posted: Fri Nov 09, 2007 5:26 pm Post subject: |
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Karl-
Unfortunately, I think you have to have it custom fabricated.
I've never seen one in a catalogue.
I think there are too many variables from trailer to trailer to make a standard universal fit ladder possible.
I would think you could contact a trailer manufacturer in Texas near you to see if they could make one up for you. There are a lot of trailer manufacturers around. It wouldn't have to be a boat trailer manufacturer, either.
I added a bow ladder to my boat as you can see below. it Works both on the trailer and the shore, then folds up for storage.
Here a link to the discussion of Boarding Ladders, Planks, and Other Projects.
Joe. _________________ Sea Wolf, C-Brat #31
Lake Shasta, California
"Most of my money I spent on boats and women. The rest I squandered'. " -Annonymous |
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Sea Wolf
Joined: 01 Nov 2003 Posts: 8650 City/Region: Redding
State or Province: CA
C-Dory Year: 1987
C-Dory Model: 22 Cruiser
Vessel Name: Sea Wolf
Photos: Sea Wolf
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Posted: Fri Nov 09, 2007 6:05 pm Post subject: |
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Karl-
Another option is to mount a side boarding ladder like the one below. It comes as a factory option on new boats, but you can get one yourself from most any chandelery such as West Marine and mount it yourself. You can get a second set of attachment hardware catches for the other side of the boat to have dual entrance capability.
Will work fine on the trailer, but not so well on the beach! (At least if you want to keep your feet dry!)
Here's a LINK to the factory web page about these ladders.
Joe. |
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Sea Wolf
Joined: 01 Nov 2003 Posts: 8650 City/Region: Redding
State or Province: CA
C-Dory Year: 1987
C-Dory Model: 22 Cruiser
Vessel Name: Sea Wolf
Photos: Sea Wolf
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Posted: Fri Nov 09, 2007 6:14 pm Post subject: |
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Karl-
Just thought it would be nice tp post a photo of David's great trailer mounted ladder and access plank for easy comparison purposes for you and others to think about!
Joe. |
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Alyssa Jean
Joined: 02 Nov 2003 Posts: 2375 City/Region: Guemes Is.(Anacortes)
State or Province: WA
C-Dory Year: 2005
C-Dory Model: 16 Angler
Vessel Name: Alyssa Jean
Photos: Anna Leigh and Alyssa Jean
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Posted: Fri Nov 09, 2007 7:34 pm Post subject: |
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The ladder was fabricated out of 2" square stock and 1 1/2 angle for the steps. My neighbor has a complete shop with all kinds of neat tools and welders. It bolts onto the upright on the trailer. We also made to catwalk. I also have a catwalk on the 16 trailer now. _________________ David and Kate
Alyssa Jean 16 Angler
Anna Leigh 22 Cruiser Sold 2005
Anna Leigh 25 Cruiser Sold 2014
K7KJR C-Brats #51 |
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Jazzmanic
Joined: 07 Feb 2005 Posts: 2231 City/Region: Seattle
State or Province: WA
Photos: C-Dancer
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Posted: Fri Nov 09, 2007 8:01 pm Post subject: |
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David,
That's one "skinny" boat garage!
Peter |
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Sneaks
Joined: 06 Jun 2004 Posts: 2020 City/Region: San Diego (Encinitas)
State or Province: CA
C-Dory Year: 1993
C-Dory Model: 16 Angler
Vessel Name: C-Brat
Photos: Jenny B and C-Brat
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Posted: Fri Nov 09, 2007 8:12 pm Post subject: |
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I plagarized Joe and installed the same boat ladder except I put it on the port side and replaced the hinge bolts with removable pins so I could remove and stow the ladder elsewhere. I use it almost exclusively for boarding during launch and exiting during recovery operations. Excellent investment and nothing to run into if I screw up while loading the boat on the trailer.
Don _________________ Mary & Don Anderson
Brat #483
"Jenny B" 2005 C-22/F75 sold, Oct. 2008
"C-Brat" 1993 C-16 angler/50 hp
Last edited by Sneaks on Fri Nov 09, 2007 8:15 pm; edited 1 time in total |
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Alyssa Jean
Joined: 02 Nov 2003 Posts: 2375 City/Region: Guemes Is.(Anacortes)
State or Province: WA
C-Dory Year: 2005
C-Dory Model: 16 Angler
Vessel Name: Alyssa Jean
Photos: Anna Leigh and Alyssa Jean
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Posted: Fri Nov 09, 2007 8:13 pm Post subject: |
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Yes, although it isn't as skinny as it appears. I usually put it in with about 8 inches clearance on the port side and I then have 2 ft on the starboard side. The length is were I am skinny. The bow sticks our about 3 feet. |
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Jazzmanic
Joined: 07 Feb 2005 Posts: 2231 City/Region: Seattle
State or Province: WA
Photos: C-Dancer
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Posted: Fri Nov 09, 2007 8:28 pm Post subject: |
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I'm just messing with you David. Actually, I'm quite jealous. I'd give anything to have a boat garage at my house. Living in the city with no backyard, no sideyards and no big accessible driveway, I'm stuck storing it elsewhere.
Ok, I'll stop whining now. Didn't mean to hijack the thread.
Peter |
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thataway
Joined: 02 Nov 2003 Posts: 20875 City/Region: Pensacola
State or Province: FL
C-Dory Year: 2007
C-Dory Model: 25 Cruiser
Vessel Name: thataway
Photos: Thataway
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Posted: Fri Nov 09, 2007 9:59 pm Post subject: |
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I usually set up my trailers so that I can step from the trailer frame, to the top of the tire, to the top of the winch support and up on the boat. Works on both the 25 and 255 --had a similar set up on the 22. But I do like those "bow" ladders. We board over the stern with either the diving ladder on the Tom Cat or on the swim step (non factory) on the CD 25. We also carry a 5 foot ladder in the cockpit of the CD 25 for boarding when we are "boat camping". _________________ Bob Austin
Thataway
Thataway (Ex Seaweed) 2007 25 C Dory May 2018 to Oct. 2021
Thisaway 2006 22' CDory November 2011 to May 2018
Caracal 18 140 Suzuki 2007 to present
Thataway TomCat 255 150 Suzukis June 2006 thru August 2011
C Pelican; 1992, 22 Cruiser, 2002 thru 2006
Frequent Sea; 2003 C D 25, 2007 thru 2009
KA6PKB
Home port: Pensacola FL |
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Doryman
Joined: 03 Oct 2006 Posts: 3807 City/Region: Anacortes
State or Province: WA
C-Dory Year: 2006
C-Dory Model: 255 Tomcat
Vessel Name: Lori Ann
Photos: Lori Ann
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Posted: Sat Nov 10, 2007 2:12 am Post subject: Re: Trailer Bow Ladders |
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fisherkb wrote: | I was looking at Anna Leigh's very impressive upgrade gallery and noticed a picture of a bow ladder on the her trailer. I really think such a ladder would be a big help for both working on the boat and launching it. I have searched for an after-market ladder (I have an EZ loader tandem trailer) to no avail. Does anyone know where I can get one? Do I need to have it custom fabricated? |
EZ-Loader sells a bow ladder for the Tom Cat so maybe they could provide you with one for your boat also.
Warren _________________ Doryman
M/V Lori Ann
TomCat 255, Hull #55, 150 Yamahas
Anacortes, WA
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Captains Cat
Joined: 03 Nov 2003 Posts: 7313 City/Region: Cod Creek>Potomac River>Chesapeake Bay
State or Province: VA
C-Dory Year: 2005
C-Dory Model: 22 Cruiser
Vessel Name: Captain's Choice II
Photos: Captain's Cat
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Posted: Sun Nov 11, 2007 12:23 pm Post subject: |
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Here's the EZ Loader ladder on my TC255 Trailer. Very handy...There are more pictures in the Trailers and Towing Pictures section if you want to look at them. It's mounted on the centerline and just bolts to the winch support. Bet they'd sell them separately!!
_________________ CHARLIE and PENNY CBRAT #100
Captain's Cat II 2005 22 Cruiser
Thataway (2006 TC255 - Sold Aug 2013)
Captain's Cat (2006 TC255 - Sold January 2012)
Captain's Kitten (1995 CD 16 Angler- Sold June 2010)
Captain's Choice (1994 CD 22 Cruiser- Sold Jun 2007)
Potomac River/Chesapeake Bay
K4KBA |
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fisherkb
Joined: 04 Sep 2005 Posts: 70 City/Region: Austin
State or Province: TX
C-Dory Year: 1989
C-Dory Model: 22 Cruiser
Vessel Name: Slack Tide
Photos: C-Hunt
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Posted: Mon Nov 12, 2007 8:55 am Post subject: |
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All,
Thanks for the helpful information. I was out of e-mail contact this weekend but I was amazed at all the helpful information provided when I got caught up this morning.
Karl |
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patrick and linda
Joined: 28 Mar 2006 Posts: 953 City/Region: somerset
State or Province: KY
C-Dory Year: 1986
C-Dory Model: 27 Cruiser
Vessel Name: "Fan-A-Sea"
Photos: Misty Seas
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Posted: Mon Nov 12, 2007 3:15 pm Post subject: |
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the nomad 25 has probably the best attached step/ladder i've seen, however, my trailer for the c-dory doesn't have the length required for that kind of set up.
each time my wife and i launch our c-dory i risk life and limb, first trying to climb up onto the bow from unhitching the trailer connection and again when i operate the boat onto the trailer, jump off the bow, into the back of the pick up bed so i can attach the winch hook.
way to complicated and at 58 to dangerous.
joe and charlie have the right idea. should not be a difficult weld.
i like the ladder and platform setup, looks great to me but not sure if they are disconnected and stored when not in use or simply welded/bolted to the trailer frame?
thanks for this great idea!
pat |
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lloyds
Joined: 02 Aug 2005 Posts: 1724 City/Region: sublimity
State or Province: OR
C-Dory Year: 1996
C-Dory Model: 22 Cruiser
Vessel Name: undecided
Photos: 1996 22 Cruiser (Lloyds)
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Posted: Mon Nov 12, 2007 3:25 pm Post subject: |
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I have struggled with some of the same stuff. At 61 there are a lot of acrobatic moves I no longer care to try. I have found that if I am launching at a ramp where the transient docks are tall I can wait for the opportunity to back up right next to the dock and can step from the gunnel right to the dock. At those ramps without docks I am screwed. That is why, for my next trailer, I will consider a roller trailer. No need to get so deep in the water. Would probably also install some grating on the trailer to step off the boat onto and walk forward. |
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