Boarding ladder for a sloping transom

jswindel

jswindel

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www.jegsweb.co.uk
I use my 20ft BayCruiser for all sorts of activities, including swimming. Getting back in from the water is just about impossible, so I want to fit a stern boarding ladder over the winter. The problem is that the transom slopes outboard quite steeply, which means either very long stand off props, or hanging backwards off an outward sloping ladder. I had thought of fitting a Plastimo bathing platform with a ladder, but wondered if this would look clumsy on a small boat. Pictures of transom and Plastimo ladder below (I hope). Has anyone better ideas for for fitting a ladder, or have you experience of the Plastimo unit? Any ideas welcome before I start boring holes in the boat.
 
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have you considered a deep ladder rigged on the beam ?

I'm slightly concerned that on a reverse transom, you might get 'underneath' the ladder as the boat pitches (even a little bit). A beam ladder is more vertical, so easier to climb than on leaning backwards. It is also to have a shorter distance between the deck and the sea surface, and can be stowed out of the way when not needed.

EDIT
Hmm. Having spent a few minutes on your website..... I assume that you are fairly fit. What about a weighted or semi-rigid rope ladder rolled over from the for'd end of the cockpit ? Although a steel ladder will be easier to use than a floppy rope one, they do take up a fair bit of storage space. I reckon a permanent one on the transom is going to clutter up the area and look out of place.

I really like the site, it's clean and quick. Is it home brewed ? You are obviously smitten by the boat, and deservedly so !
 
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Hi Sarabande
I'm not quite sure what you mean by a ladder on the beam. Do you mean one on the side? What I really want is a ladder that can be used for swimming, but is always there in case of falling in and needing to get back on board. I know lots of people devise systems that "you can just reach over the gunwale to get hold of" but in reality, if you are shocked and in soaked clothes, just grabbing hold of the gunwale would be an achievement, let alone reaching over it to grab and deploy a ladder. I have tried several forms of collapsible ladder, but in the end, only a solid ladder on the transom does the trick. I'm not that fit! I have scrambled back on board using the top of the rudder fitting and a step cut into my old rudder blade, but it was in flat calm water. Almost impossible in any kind of swell because I was hanging backwards, holding on to the mizzen mast.
The site is just a standard Blogger DIY job, but I have inserted it into a surrounding web page so I have a bit more control over it and can count the hits.
Yes, I am besotted with the Swallowboats Baycruiser. Number 2 is built but not yet delivered as far as I know. Several more on the way next year
 
I have a similar problem to you, with a considerable overhang.
A previous owner tackled the problem by fitting a small bathing platform with a vertical ladder from it's aft edge up to the deck. I fitted an additional folding setup so I had a few rungs under water if required.
The only problem (apart from added out-of-sight length!) is that it submerges when decent boatspeed is acheived - esp under motor power. In your case, it would have to clear the rudder anyway and would also protect it under certain circumstances.
So fit it quite high, if at all.
 
We've got the same problem only more so, in that our transom slopes the same way but the gunwhale is considerably higher than yours (see centre pic on first page of Samphire Owners' website - see link below).

I've been trying to design a folding ladder that folds away to store parallel to the transom, but unfolds to be vertical or, even better, to slope outwards a little from the gunwhale.

Not sure that this will ever materialise, in the meantime we carry a rolled up rope ladder on the rail.

A ladder on the side of the boat may well be preferable if you're in a the water at sea (due to pitching), but seems nigh on impossible to store without completely blocking side decks on our small boat, or projecting outboard and risking being torn off whenever coming alongside anything. It is also inaccessible if you are in the water with the boat alongside a quay, pontoon or another boat.

An alternative approach, which I haven't pursued on our boat for various reasons, is to have steps in the rudder. The trailing edge of the rudder can be profiled to include steps, and/or folding steps attached to the side of the rudder and rudder post.

Good luck with your search. I'd be intersted in seeing whatever solution you settle on.
 
Ladders

Hello jswindel
I appreciate your ladder problem. I have looked at the catalogues of 2 Oz chandlers. Both have a huge range of fold down permanent transom ladders.
http://www.whitworths.com.au
http://www.biasboating.com.au
I suspect that there is more demand in Oz for boarding ladders on small boats hence a bigger range of Oz made Stainless steel. The 4 rung compact of Whitworths might be easily modified with an extension of the bottom struts to meet the in sloping transom. It folds in half so the bottom is self supporting in the water.
At a 100 squid it might suit you. You subtract 10% forOz tax 1Oz dollar is currently 55UK pence and add whatever duty and tax when it arrives. Both these companies are huge and should be reliable mail order. Each have about 2o stores.
Don't forget that handle holds above the head are vital as you get on to the deck. I think your blog says you grasp the mizzen mast. Anyway lots of practice will have a good system sorted.
I enjoyed your blog and hope you really enjoy your little boat. Mine is somewhat similar 21ft lift keel but kept on a mooring all season. I have had it for 30 years and still love it so I hope you get as much enjoyment out of yours. good luck olewill
 
A bit off the wall but have you considered fitting the Plastimo sort of upside down? I don't know the Plastimo ladder and if it could be engineered. So...could you fit the the platform, right way up, on the lower transom, then reverse the 'swing down' ladder to 'swing up'? This would give you a rung under water (possibly) and enable a degree of 'lift up when underway. Alternatively, may not look too bad as a fixed platform. Anyway, needs a bit more cognitive thinking to work out but ...

Nice blog by the way - well done. Cheers, Ron
 
I may have found a solution to the sloping transom. Another ladder by Plastimo is designed for RIBs. Not sure what that entails, but the pictue shows a non vertical ladder, which from a sloping transom should hang striaght down. I shall mock up the sizes in MDF and seehow they look in practice
 
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I know this is an old post, but just came across it and have posted another similar question earlier today. Did you ever find a decent solution. I have the same issue with a springtide.

Thanks.
 
LittleSister said:
An alternative approach, which I haven't pursued on our boat for various reasons, is to have steps in the rudder. The trailing edge of the rudder can be profiled to include steps, and/or folding steps attached to the side of the rudder and rudder post.
Click to expand...

I've been considering this myself. It would put considerable strain on the rudder bearings so probably not the best idea:

1574293_4.jpg
 
I finally fitted a telescopic ladder. It works really well. I can flip it over to lie flat on the stern deck, and then flip it out to hang down, not quite vertical. When I am sailing solo I leave it telescoped but hanging down. That way I can reach it from the water if I needed to. With crew on board I flip it onto the deck, out of the way. I have been using it all summer as a swim ladder (yes, you can swim in Poole Harbour and not get hypothermia!)
Hope the pictures below come out and show how it works.
 
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Ah! Now I understand that I had misinterpreted your original post. I thought your transom sloped the other way (as ours does, though it is much taller than yours).

I can also see how lightweight your rudder is, and why you were nervous about putting your weight on it.

Congratulations on what looks a neat and practical solution.
 
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