Boarding/Swim Ladder

J

jsimmons248

New member
I am about to buy a C-Dory 22 Cruiser which does not come with a boarding/swim ladder. It does, however, in the open cockpit area, have 2 small fittings mounted on the top of the cockpit side where you would use a hook ladder (if I had one!) to get in the boat from the water. It seems to me the fittings, which are a couple of feet apart, were mounted as a base for a ladder to latch into. If any of this makes sense I am just wondering what ladder they were originally for? :D
 
jsimmons248":3a8lfijh said:
I am about to buy a C-Dory 22 Cruiser which does not come with a boarding/swim ladder. It does, however, in the open cockpit area, have 2 small fittings mounted on the top of the cockpit side where you would use a hook ladder (if I had one!) to get in the boat from the water. It seems to me the fittings, which are a couple of feet apart, were mounted as a base for a ladder to latch into. If any of this makes sense I am just wondering what ladder they were originally for? :D
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If it's one of the "standard" installations, it would be a Garelick ladder like this one - http://www.garelick.com/Latch-Type-Boarding-Ladder
 
My boarding ladder is on the starboard side and hooks into two fittings that are mounted on the gunnel. (like the ladder referenced above) It works great. The ladder folds in half and I move it into the cockpit and re-hook it to the gunnel fittings when under way.

DON'T FORGET TO MOVE IT INSIDE WHEN UNDERWAY!! The reason you have the fittings on the gunnel and not the ladder is very likely because it is sitting on the bottom somewhere because it was not pulled in before getting underway.
 
Thank you for your quick response!
The ladder you referenced looks like it will work! I will have to measure the width to be sure but if this was 'standard' it is probably the one.
I did notice a customer complaint about the ladder, however. They felt the ladder was flimsy and difficult to use when boarding. :? (The C-Dory does seem to have a lot of freeboard!).
Any comments from anyone about this?
Is there a better swim ladder arrangement without a huge amount of modification/effort? :)
 
Just straying off topic a tad. Nomad has the cheaper, 3 rung, hook over boarding ladder. We never use it to get into the dink, as we sit on the gunnal, swing our legs over, and we are practically standing in the dink. Same for coming back along side. At anchor I always put the ladder out in case anyone falls in.
Not being a strong swimmer, I do not swim from the boat, but prefer to 'play' around in the water off the beach staying within my depth.

Martin.
 
We have a swim ladder but have never used it as the water is to dam cold in these parts.. Good thing to have though in case I hook a big one and he pulls me in. I think I am jealous of this post :sad :sad
 
I started with an aluminum big hook (hooks over the whole gunnel, no mounting brackets) three step and got tired of trying to get my foot on the lowest step which was about nose level when in the water. I got a telescoping 4 step ss Garlick (also big hook) and it's much easier to get on from the water; it's a lot heavier (worth the extra weight) and I added dowels to lengthen the two standoff brackets so going up the ladder is a vertical climb rather than climbing an overhang; I also added a tether to avoid the ladder-on-the-bottom dilemma. I would try for a ladder with 4 or more steps that fits your two mounting brackets.

Jay
 
I bought a four step large hook over the gunnel and then I read the fine print that came with it and it said do not use when boat is out of the water.

That was why I bought it so I could get on the boat when on the trailer.

So I returned it and just carry a 4' step ladder in my car.
 
Problem with a rope or flexible ladder and a boat that doesn't draw a lot of water is that trying to climb it will swing the bottom of the ladder under the boat as soon as you put weight on it. Yes it is better than no ladder at all, and it gives you something to hang on to. But climbing in over the side will be a lot more work than you think.

Even the stock swim step and ladder are a bit of work to climb up because there is no handhold higher than the swim step to grab. Some people have added an handhold or just a rope on the aft cleat to make using the swim step ladder easier.

You will be much better served by a rigid ladder.
 
ssobol":hslecdxh said:
Problem with a rope or flexible ladder and a boat that doesn't draw a lot of water is that trying to climb it will swing the bottom of the ladder under the boat as soon as you put weight on it. Yes it is better than no ladder at all, and it gives you something to hang on to. But climbing in over the side will be a lot more work than you think.

Even the stock swim step and ladder are a bit of work to climb up because there is no handhold higher than the swim step to grab. Some people have added an handhold or just a rope on the aft cleat to make using the swim step ladder easier.

You will be much better served by a rigid ladder.
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ssobol-


Very True!

Let me also note and emphasize that using any ladder to get back into a boat gets much more difficult with age! :sad

After 50 or so, it approximately doubles in difficulty every 10 years or so!!! Don't ask me how I know...........!

Gaining weight and getting weaker with every decade eventually makes re-entering the boat from the water virtually impossible for many, if not most, folks. :smileo

Whatever system/ladder you use, practice with it annually so you'll know what you're up against....

Joe. :teeth :thup
 
We bought an inflatable two step dock bumper.

http://www.fisheriessupply.com/dan-fender-fender2step

We attached it to the gunnel with two SS eyes and 3/8" line. This doesn't allow the bumper to move around when we use it.

Mostly its used on the inside for two better steps from the top of the gunnel to the cockpit instead of using the small ledge of the gunnel shelf as a step.

The attachment line is connected together with one of those quick release cam connectors so the line can be lengthened and the steps swung to the outside as boarding steps from a dingy.
 
The free ladder is spoken for. Good discussion and keep it up:)

We have a rigid ladder on our swim step and of course prefer that over a flexible model of any kind. We had this one from a previous boat and simply don't have a need for it anymore. They are quite easy to use BUT they require very solid handholds in the right positions and that is what most boats lack limiting the effectiveness of the package generally. But it still beats no ladder which is exactly where some folks find themselves.

Greg
 
A little tip for those who do not have a boarding/swim ladder. Take a length of thick rope, put a knot in every foot, add a loop at the end for your foot. Attach to the grab rail on the aft of the cabin bulkhead. Leave coiled down on the gunnel where you can reach it from the water. Just might save your life.

Martin.
 
ShellBack":2w0kug2x said:
We have a swim ladder but have never used it as the water is to dam cold in these parts.
Click to expand...

Damn cold indeed. Amazingly, horribly cold at times. And if you find yourself swimming in it, unexpectedly, as I have, you will be happy to have a reliable way to get back on board.
 
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