Getting on and off

[Wansworth]

Are fender steps a good idea to get on and off a boat on to the pontoon.Thinking that ora box on the finger ,any idle thoughts before breakfast?

 

[Seashoreman]

I know a guy who has mobility problems at 87 years. He much prefers the single type fender step for getting off and on launch and pontoon. Can be adjusted for height and has a bit of 'give'. You do need to have stanchions and access in the right place of coarse.
You also will need to move steps and could be tricky if you are on board attempting to disembark?

 

[Wansworth]

I know a guy who has mobility problems at 87 years. He much prefers the single type fender step for getting off and on launch and pontoon. Can be adjusted for height and has a bit of 'give'. You do need to have stanchions and access in the right place of coarse.
You also will need to move steps and could be tricky if you are on board attempting to disembark?

It will be in general getting on and off at the same berth …..I suppose I could withstand the shame of not stowing it

 

[Seashoreman]

I was thinking more of the mooring accuracy, but I suppose thats within a foot or two of the steps.

 

[johnalison]

We kept folding steps in the cockpit locker for this purpose. With a line to anchor it of course. Perhaps with a high freeboard a fender step might suit some better.

 

[Boathook]

Are fender steps a good idea to get on and off a boat on to the pontoon.Thinking that ora box on the finger ,any idle thoughts before breakfast?

Get the boat and then decide what you require. If you want to spend money get a fender step (one or two steps) plus some folding type step to cover all options.

 

[rogerthebodger]

this is what I have from getting on and off my boat from my walk-on mooring. Can also be used from a dingy either side or at the stern of my boat

https://flic.kr/p/WooJAo

 

[Poignard]

Buy a boat with a low freeboard.

They look better too.

 

[Chiara’s slave]

Get a Dragonfly, wansy. No need for steps, the outriggers are about pontoon height. And think of the side decks

 

[Wansworth]

Buy a boat with a low freeboard.
.

They look better too.

Yes we had an Albin Vega

 

[MontyMariner]

I use a Folding Stepping Stool with a length of cord tied to the boat so I don't loose it in the water.

 

[Blueboatman]

Gangplank dear fellow , preferably one with stantions and nice thick hemp rope handline.

“ Be the envy of your friends and fellow berth holders. Wheel that rum keg and picnic hamper, the ships cat and dog, aboard with serene ease..” etc

 

[johnalison]

We used to do it in style, with an inverted ship’s bucket.

 

[Chiara’s slave]

We used to do it in style, with an inverted ship’s bucket.

As long as it’s not THAT ship’s bucket…

 

[davidaprice]

We have a fender step on our Maxi 999, the kind with only one step. She has quite high freeboard and it makes an enormous difference, I can easily climb aboard with one hand full of bags. My wife always insists I install it before she steps ashore.

I will say that there seems to be some chafe on the side under the fender step, perhaps dirt and grit collecting there throughout the season. It seems to buff out quite OK each spring, so maybe it's mostly in the wax.

Our first fender step lasted maybe 8-10 seasons then got sticky on top and had to be replaced. The new one is white rather than blue, a mistake as it looks pretty dirty after one season, buy a blue one.

 

[wonkywinch]

I made a step with a quarter of an old pallet topped with decking for our home pontoon. Looking at the hook on ladders for visiting places with low or thin pontoon fingers that roll around when jumping onto them.

 

[Wansworth]

I made a step with a quarter of an old pallet topped with decking for our home pontoon. Looking at the hook on ladders for visiting places with low or thin pontoon fingers that roll around when jumping onto them.

Or sink !