Fender step or foldable step

[mrangry]

I have managed to destroy two fender steps (Hurricane) in two seasons as they seem to tear away from the anchor points. I am now thinking about maybe a folding step that can live in a cockpit locker. What do you guys use and has anyone came across a step that will be up to the job?

 

[Leslie frank]

Why not just use a fender tied on at each end. It makes an excellent step

 

[KompetentKrew]

If I needed a step and has gone through two fender steps as you have, then I would get a proper solid one. Something vaguely like this or this, but preferably (as you say) folding. I have exactly what I'd want in mind, maybe something that hooks over the toerail.

 

[dunedin]

I have managed to destroy two fender steps (Hurricane) in two seasons as they seem to tear away from the anchor points. I am now thinking about maybe a folding step that can live in a cockpit locker. What do you guys use and has anyone came across a step that will be up to the job?

What are you doing to them?

We have a Majoni fender step and still going strong after a decade so far. Was using today and great Majoni Majoni Fender Ladders

 

[mrangry]

What are you doing to them?

We have a Majoni fender step and still going strong after a decade so far. Was using today and great Majoni Majoni Fender Ladders

I think that particular brand are just sub standard to be honest, they also refuse to entertain any conversation regarding the quality of the items they sell.

The majoni one looks to be a rigid plastic so possibly more durable

The other reason for considering a step is that I see a lot of people pulling themselves up with the stanchions from a fender step and having just renewed all the bases I am keen for them to remain water tight.

 

[Roberto]

I have one of these foldable steps, useful to climb onboard but also for sitting during the odd dish laundry washing/working on the pontoon. Tied to the boat with a lanyard to avoid forgetting it

 

[MontyMariner]

How many steps did your fender step have?
How about modifying a telescopic boarding ladder

 

[mrangry]

How many steps did your fender step have?
How about modifying a telescopic boarding ladder

It was one of the inflatable type and was a single step

 

[MontyMariner]

What about this type Majoni Majoni Fender Ladders
Here's another type https://marinescene.co.uk/products/...IIH7sVgMX5h0IpjfOxqCK7KHl_c-2k5BoCFTEQAvD_BwE

 

[mrangry]

What about this type Majoni Majoni Fender Ladders
Here's another type Clearance Hurricane Fenders Step Fender - 45 x 12cm

The second one you linked is the same as the two I had that failed and the company refused to even look at it with a view to accepting that it may have been faulty. Would never purchase a hurricane product again

 

[Bouba]

I use a fender ladder on the stern cleat when boarding from the dinghy…had it many years without problems. It was expensive even a decade ago…it’s also useful as a fender…it lies flat unlike most other fenders…and in some situations that is exactly what you need.

 

[vyv_cox]

We saw this idea on a boat in New Zealand and nicked it. The fenders are relatively small ones that are used mainly to keep the tender off the hull. The carpet-wrapped steps with the blue polypropylene lines are used when the boat is lifted out by crane to keep the strops from crushing the toe rails. I always like things to be dual-purpose!

The ladder is very effective.

 

[CJTurner]

This is a Plastimo product. It hangs higher on my freeboard to be above pontoon hight and swings aboard on a line, when underway.

 

[Roberto]

We saw this idea on a boat in New Zealand and nicked it. The fenders are relatively small ones that are used mainly to keep the tender off the hull.

The ladder is very effective.

Just copied the idea too I added two antiflip dyneema lines for the steps.

OT, the hull surface just to the right of the steps is the reason I hate fender socks on boats coming to raft, now I immediately insert my biggest fenders all around.

 

[Bouba]

Just copied the idea too I added two antiflip dyneema lines for the steps.

OT, the hull surface just to the right of the steps is the reason I hate fender socks on boats coming to raft, now I immediately insert my biggest fenders all around.
View attachment 209236

If you hang it from the boom....you could use it on both sides of the boat

 

[Refueler]

I have one of these foldable steps, useful to climb onboard but also for sitting during the odd dish laundry washing/working on the pontoon. Tied to the boat with a lanyard to avoid forgetting it

View attachment 209015

I have 3 of those ..... I'm over 100kg and it takes my weight fine ..

 

[Refueler]

This is a Plastimo product. It hangs higher on my freeboard to be above pontoon hight and swings aboard on a line, when underway.

Similar to the Lalizas boarding ladder I have that clips into deck sockets .. folds away when not in use ...

I have never fitted the deck sockets - they look like Key slot plates ... I just hook my ladder over the rail.

 

[vyv_cox]

OT, the hull surface just to the right of the steps is the reason I hate fender socks on boats coming to raft, now I immediately insert my biggest fenders all around.

I have used fender socks for 30 years or more and never suffered any hull damage as a consequence. In fact, just the opposite, they clean the topsides quite nicely. Conversely, berthed in Tinos for a week in very rough conditions against a boat with unsocked fenders we suffered considerable damage to our topsides. No photos of that but here is one showing similar damage from bare fenders.

 

[Roberto]

No photos of that but here

Yep sorry for my previous OT, no interest whatsoever to revive such thread subjects.

 

[Wansworth]

I have one of these foldable steps, useful to climb onboard but also for sitting during the odd dish laundry washing/working on the pontoon. Tied to the boat with a lanyard to avoid forgetting it

View attachment 209015

My wife is vertically challenged and we saw one of those Ina Chinese store looked just the thing,for a small boat the Dufour 24 has hightopsides