clever ideas required - 45 deg swim ladder

Nick_H

Nick_H

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www.ybw-boatsforsale.com
My long term charter client is advanced in years, and has requested (a week before the charter) that I install a temporary swim ladder so that she can walk out like climbing stairs, ie. at a shallowish angle with wider steps and at least one handrail.

I've suggested that we have a special seat made so that we can lift her out with the crane, but she (understandably I suppose) thinks this may be a bit undignified.

I don't have time to install a purpose made hydraulic swim ladder, and couldn't justify the substantial cost anyway, so i'm looking for a temporary solution. It could be stored in the tender, so can be quite bulky if necessary.

There are a couple of threaded sockets on the bathing platform that could be used to bolt something down, but they're too close to the edge to take the leverage of a person standing on the end of such a swim ladder. It may be possible to use the crane to support the far end of the ladder though

Any ideas?
 
Time is short. Something like this, slightly modified to sit into your existing deck sockets, and rest against the hull below the waterline?

http://www.slingsby.com/p-62588-sta...um=basefeed&&gclid=CIaz54KA6bACFcohfAodCHByzQ

317101.jpg


Cheers
Jimmy
 
Something inflatable like this any good nick ?


Seriously now, I'm thinking an inflatable paddling pool part deflated, large drain holes in the bottom , while swimmers lay in it and then inflated as its drawn alongside the bathing platform.
 
Last edited:
jimmy_the_builder said:
Time is short. Something like this, slightly modified to sit into your existing deck sockets, and rest against the hull below the waterline?

http://www.slingsby.com/p-62588-sta...um=basefeed&&gclid=CIaz54KA6bACFcohfAodCHByzQ

317101.jpg


Cheers
Jimmy
Click to expand...

Yes, i'd found similar, but that probably is just too bulky, and its difficult to use the hull below the waterline as there's quite an overhang of the platform. I could maybe cut away quite a lot of that frame, then tie the top of the handrail to something solid on the transom. Worth a thought.

edit: bit like this

317101.jpg
 
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How about something like a kids slide? get rid of the slide bit and use the steps and blue braces.

Just a thought:D
 
wakeup said:
Not a clever idea, but had a look on Overtons web site, you might be able to get one of these fedexed no doubt at huge cost. It isn't 45% but better than a straight down ladder

http://www.overtons.com/modperl/pro...ep-Dock-Ladder&i=94379&aID=601K2&merchID=4006
Click to expand...

That's promising Wakeup, thanks. I'll e-mail a picture to the client, and see if she thinks it'd be OK. By keeping the angle more vertical, it'd probably be OK to use the deck sockets to secure it as well, as there would be less leverage.

Please keep the ideas coming though.
 
DAKA said:
Something inflatable like this any good nick ?


Seriously now, I'm thinking an inflatable paddling pool part deflated, large drain holes in the bottom , while swimmers lay in it and then inflated as its drawn alongside the bathing platform.
Click to expand...

Yep, I also had the idea of something inflatable, but it could get a bit comical trying to inflate it around her in the water. If she thinks the crane would be undignified .....
 
Nick_H said:
That's promising Wakeup, thanks. I'll e-mail a picture to the client, and see if she thinks it'd be OK. By keeping the angle more vertical, it'd probably be OK to use the deck sockets to secure it as well, as there would be less leverage.

Please keep the ideas coming though.
Click to expand...

Yep quality/style wise it is not in keeping with your fine Princess, but it might do the job for a few weeks. I am sure you would have to add a zero and double it to have something made quickly in stainless or aluminium down on the CdA.
 
mjf said:
Can you not use the two eyes on either side of the ladder to hold the existing steps at the desired angle so it is no longer vertical? I guess then it would need extending a bit to allow your charterer to get a leg up (so to speak:-))
Click to expand...

I could certainly use a dyneema line from the crane to the end of the ladder to do that, but the steps are oval, so she would be stepping on the pointy edge, and that way there's still no handrail. She's after something more like a staircase.
 
wakeup said:
Yep quality/style wise it is not in keeping with your fine Princess, but it might do the job for a few weeks. I am sure you would have to add a zero and double it to have something made quickly in stainless or aluminium down on the CdA.
Click to expand...

I'm happy to use painted mild steel, as it only needs to last 5 weeks (although the site you directed me to does the same steps in aluminium for a few quid more, so i'd get those anyway).

I may use that product as a base design, and get something made locally at a shallower angle, and support the end with the crane to take the load off the deck sockets.
 
what about an arrangement with fenders, so that that the client has a set of steps (secured at one end on board) which can support her mass, while she is in the water ?

An aluminium ladder with four biggish fenders on the outboard end should provide a safe and useable slope.
 
use a standard plastic chair, one wire round each leg from the rib lift. be very steady.

the 45 deg steps wont work as it will be difficult to brace it from going vertical. far from undignified.
 
Last edited:
Nick_H said:
Yep, I also had the idea of something inflatable, but it could get a bit comical trying to inflate it around her in the water. If she thinks the crane would be undignified .....
Click to expand...

I accept Ive so far not managed to put my idea across very well or find anything suitable but imho you have little choice but to use something inflatable and purpose made , such as swimming pool docks or inflatable floating toys.

If you use a pair of builders steps or kids slide steps , they are just not designed as swimming pool steps and could cut any one or collapse.

you are going to feel terrible as they collapse trapping fingers/toes or cause gash , not to mention possible products design liability insurance cover problems.


Large inflatable pool on the bathing platform, perhaps she will be happy sat in it while her husband swims round anyway .

It is relatively easy to haul yourself into a part inflated pool side .

Leave the electric pump out and 'mess about adjusting pressure all the time ' its new and seems to have a slow leak.
 
sarabande said:
what about an arrangement with fenders, so that that the client has a set of steps (secured at one end on board) which can support her mass, while she is in the water ?

An aluminium ladder with four biggish fenders on the outboard end should provide a safe and useable slope.
Click to expand...

Nice idea, and not one i'd though of, but it's quite a lumpy anchorage so I think the steps would bounce up and down too much
 
if waves are a problem, then the stern may be out of the question anyway as agility is restricted.


Doggy type ladder ?
http://myboatsgear.com/newsletter/2009212.asp


Inflatable Rescue board for ease of access from the water, then to a fixed ladder amidhsips ?
http://www.pacificrescue.com/browseproducts/NRS-Inflatable-Rescue-Board.html


Rescue Sled
http://www.mfc-survival.net/emergency-products/rsseries



Is it worth a quick call to Henshaw ?
http://www.henshaw.co.uk/

They make inflatable slides and devices for airlines and the militray, and they are very very helpful. They might have half a RIB or something similar you could try out as a prototype.


The idea of an inflatable, multi-purpose, platform one could heave overboard, and then add a 45 degree ladder, must have ramifications for a rescue device for other big mobos.
 
Is it possible modify your existing boarding ladder? Maybe get a s/s welder to extend the length of it with a couple more steps so it sits deeper in the water, change the s/s steps for teak and fit some kind of wedge which keeps the ladder at an angle in the water rather than vertical? Just a thought
 
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