Folding Boarding Platform

C

Chester

New member
We're thinking about buying a folding boarding platform that should make using the dinghy easier than the collapsible ladder we have now. It, like the ladder, should be helpful in a man overboard situation.

linkey>http://www.slideanchor.com/Default.aspx Find and click Boarding Platform.

I would have to mount a cleat or something in the side of the cockpit to hook it to.

Whaddya think?
 
Looks interesting from the photos but it's hard to tell exactly how it attaches. I'd also like to know the size of the platform. It might also be useful as a platform on which to place a generator while at anchor. I requested additional info from the company. I'll let you know what I find out.
 
I'll be waiting for:

1. More information from Roger's request. And....

2. I'd like to see Dr. Bob test that Box Anchor!
(If it sounds too good to be true, .........!) :lol:

Joe. :teeth :thup
 
IMHO, that hanging platform will do neither job well. With a single attachment point, it's going to be very sensitive to where you place your weight (fore and aft) and I don't think it will "feel" secure. And for boarding from the water, I don't think it's enough help except for the most agile (who can already clamber up over the transom in an emergency by stepping on the anti-cavitation plate).

For boarding from a dinghy, I would want to step onto something completely solid. And for boarding from the water, I think you're going to want a bottom foothold that's closer to 3' below the water.

My gut feel is that you can do better with the transom-mounted swim platform with folding ladder, though I haven't used one of those personally.
 
That box anchor might be OK for a lake or something...but I would not consider it a serious anchor. A sudden change of direction would pull it right out, it is limited in the depth of penetration, and cheaply built. Also a bit difficult to stow, and deploy. Cannot use a windlass with it.

I agree that a single point attatchment platform is not real stable. If you want a swim platform, put one one, with a two step ladder, and that will work fine for the getting in and out of the boat.

As for the dinghy, We just sit on the edge of the gunnel, step on the edge of the inflatable and into the boat. Reverse getting out--works well for us on all of the C Dories (22, 25 and Tom Cat).

As far as boarding ladders--the side are not all that stable, unless you go to the older ones which are made of wood, have two attatchement points at the gunnel, and then fold down into the water. We have have owned 2 to 4 step verions of these. They are very sturdy and serious pieces of boating hardware.
 
I normally use a Fortress lightweight aluminum anchor, and it works fine in the silty bottoms on the Mississippi River. But I've had no luck with it anchoring in Florida's rivers, where the bottom is a hard tangled mass of roots and hard sand. I don't need much anchoring power on a well-sheltered river; it's not like I'm in a bay on the ocean, where a storm could put me in the surf or on a beach, so all I need is for it to set enough that I can back down on it with the engines in reverse at maybe 1200 rpms; more than idle, but not spraying froth over the bow. And then have it come up easily when I'm ready to leave. If that box anchor works under those conditions, I'd buy one in a minute. It'd be lighter and easier to work with than the heavy delta anchor I now use for Florida rivers.

From the video, the boarding ladder looks more stable than I would've thought with a single anchor point. Here again, the boarding ladder that came with my C-Dory is OK for me, but then of course I'm willing to get a little wet when getting in my canoe or kayak from the C-Dory. It looks like their ladder might make that easier. I'll be interested in any reports, if anyone buys these things.
 
I'm a little suspicious of the suction cups on the platform.
If they get a good grip on the hull how hard will it be getting them to release? Will it require gymnastics? How securely are they attached to the struts?
 
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