BEST BOARDING LADDER

[TQA]

My partner who is new to yachting is worried about getting from the dinghy onto the boat. She likes the idea of the sugar scoop stern with steps as seen on some catamarans.

Assuming the boat is a conventional mono hull with a near vertical stern [ CSY 44 type ] what is the best kind of boarding ladder. She dislikes the vertical type with narrow foot steps and no back to the ladder as she worries about slipping through the ladder.

We would propably add a swim platform across the back.

Any suggestions?

 

[BrendanS]

You only have one option

Get a new SWMBO, you can't train old ones. /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

errr, I'll get my coat and leave now....

 

[VicS]

I dont know what options there could be but for a vertical ladder on a vertical transom. Even with a swim platform I would have thought a vertical ladder down to that was almost unavoidable.

However I do suggest one with wooden (or even plastic) treads rather than round rungs. They are hell with bare feet!

 

[sarabande]

if you are not too worried about aesthetics, you could try and adapt one of the domestic aluminium ladders which have a tread depth of about 4 inches (100 mm in euros).

They have the advantage that they don't float upwards when in the water, so making it easier for swimmers and MOB recovery.

 

[charliespan]

There are some quite chunky "fender" type ladders available.
Easy on the feet, removeable but bulky to store.

eg here

 

[awol]

Easy - just buy a boat with an open transom, something like a Mumm 36 should do!

 

[LadyInBed]

Make some wide wooden steps and fit them to the ladder rungs.

 

[Cloven]

You might wish to consider one of these

http://www.plastimo.com/catalogue/index.php?LangID=1&catid=5

I accept it does not fully address your problem of the "open" steps but we had one fitted to a previous boat and in reality, you do not use the steps going from the tender to the platform as you can step directly onto the platform. The steps are only used if you are getting onto the platform from the water. This also assumes that you do not have a transom hung rudder as obviously, this setup will not work in that situation.

Once on the platform, then you only need some form of fixed step on the transom to get into the cockpit.

 

[Anonymous]

We have a sugar-scoop stern and in anything but a flat calm we find it dangerous for the average person to board from the dinghy (3.4m RIB). We always board midships and use a fender-step to get up from the RIB to the yacht. Even completely non-boaty guests can manage that in quite bad conditions and we can manage it in any conditions that we would have been out in the tender in.

 

[Rivers & creeks]

 

[saltwater_gypsy]

A removeable midships ladder is best IMHO. There is less motion, less range of motion and the boarding location is simpler. I terms of MOB situations and swimming the ladder should have at least two rungs below the water surface.

 

[William_H]

It seems to me that a handrail of some sort at a suitable height is most important. Along with an opening in the stern rail.
My boat is a lot smaller but I have a fixed plastic step screwed to the transom just above water level and a swing down step that goes down into the water from the plastic step mount. You could fit more of these steps. They would be quite OK if there was also a rail up to head height for pulling yourself up. olewill

 

[TQA]

Thank you for the advice. I was of the opinion that midships boarding was the norm and is what I have used in the past but had a Ryton 38 which was pretty low there. We are considering a CSY 44 which is higher.

 

[TQA]

[ QUOTE ]
You only have one option

Get a new SWMBO, you can't train old ones. /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

errr, I'll get my coat and leave now....

[/ QUOTE ]

thank you for your stupid comment, suggesting that your own
SWMBO has jumped ship and found someone who has a higher level of intelligence.
perhaps you need to find a forum better suited to your ability as everyone else who has replied has at least tried to be helpful.

SWMBO of TQA

 

[awol]

I am perplexed that you think that the suggestion of a Mumm 36 was meant to be helpful!

Your dilemma is indicative of a basic incompatibility between partner and boat which will most probably end in tears when wind and tide conspire against you. Brendan and I approached the problem from opposite ends - I say change the boat, he suggests changing your partner. I'm not sure which is the less expensive.

 

[MarkJohnson12345]

Is a possible solution to train Mrs TQA to get more confidence in using steps/ladders?

Footwear might help, and as said some sort of handrail.

My wife is very nervous about using the ladder to get into the dinghy, thus it takes a little time and encouragement to help her over this hurdle.

She then gets the skippers hat in the dinghy, and tells me where to go!!!

We still use the stern ladder as I think its so convenient, but do go along those who use the ladders on the beam.

IMHO.

 

[blackbeard]

First Mate prefers a boarding ladder amidships as there is less motion there. You can use a ladder with tape sides and flat plastic rungs which can be folded into a bag and may also be useful in case of MOB. However it's less easy to use for getting out of the water than getting out of a dinghy.