Boat boarding ladders.

rogerthebodger

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There was discussions a while ago about getting back on board after falling overboard.

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This is a telescopic aluminium ladder that I modified by turning it upside down and attaching it to by deck edge handrails. A velcro strap keeps it together until the velcro is pulled then the ladder will drop into the water with how ever many steps you wish.

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when in dock.

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When on passage.

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When deployed.

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Attachments that replaced the feet at allow hanging by rope of chain from hand rails.


Below is a gybe control device I knocked up from 2 big stainless shackles a stainless ring and part od a 12mm dia bolt.

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Those ladders look good however none of them extend above the gunwhale level so don't provide a hand hold up high. Half of your effort when boarding is in leg pressure and half is hand pull. But more hand pull needed at the top. Look at pool laddes. ol'will
 
As far as handhold above deck I won't have a problem with the stern ladder because there is the push-pit

Having read all your comments on the forum I'll have to have a boarding ladder on the side as well and it will have to be accessible from the water. I think a telescopic aluminum ladders is the best way to go. There's plenty of X4 step telescopic aluminum ladders for under $A100 but by the look of them I wouldn't like to rely on them in a rough sea. But anyway I think I would need a X6 (or X7) step ladder like the one pictured
 
Those ladders look good however none of them extend above the gunwhale level

The telescopic one amidships does.

My main concern with that one would be that it's being loaded in the opposite direction to what it was designed for, and whether whatever holds the sections together is strong enough to support a heavy person in wet oilskins as the boat lifts to a wave. In normal use those extension-stops wouldn't be put under any significant load, and my experience with telescopic ladders is that they tend to be designed down to the bare minimum to make them light to carry (and cheap to make). But maybe Roger has a strong one.

Pete
 
The ones I’ve seen also have steel clips / springs inside and don’t think they would last long
 
The ones I’ve seen also have steel clips / springs inside and don’t think they would last long

The springs and steel clips inside are used to keep the ladder open when used in the normal way.

I plan to remove the clips that keep the ladder open as in my case its the end stops that take the load.

Pete is correct that the loading is the reverse of normal but I have stood on the ladder when suspended as I pictured it and it took my 84 Kg OK, yes you have wet weather gear and dynamic loads to consider.

Will look to a telescopic stainless steel ladder if they are available.

Here,s a stainless steel boat ladder.

https://www.amazon.com/Amarine-made-Steps-Stainless-Telescoping-Ladder/dp/B01N7UAJJ0

But at over 70 USD and over 60 USD shipping at our exchange rate a bit costly
 
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I would also change pop rivets as the ones on my ladder have steel inserts, a couple have rusted and fallen out
 
The other thing about a boarding ladder is the huge forces you apply pulling back with the hands and forcing inwards with the feet. Very much unlike the loads of a ladder for home. The only way to be sure is to use your ladder often to climb out of the water. ol'will
 
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