Looking for a Locking Clip for the boarding/swim ladder

[jwilson]

Excuse me but I would have thought that it was obvious that you fold the ladder back up before sailing.

And then if you fall overboard when singlehanded (even on your mooring) you can't get back aboard, unless super-fit, as the ladder is fixed up. Mine would probably not stay in place unfastened, and would guarantee accidents through use as a handhold when boarding - it's in the pefect place to use as a handhold.

The Terry-clip and R-clip idea would probably work, but not very pretty and some sharp edges. Best solution so far though.

 

[KellysEye]

I used a nylon line attached to the pulpit with a bowline, wrapped the line around the top of the ladder three times, then used four half hitches to lock it.

 

[Hoolie]

I used a nylon line attached to the pulpit with a bowline, wrapped the line around the top of the ladder three times, then used four half hitches to lock it.

Best of luck deploying the ladder MOB from the water ... ... ...

 

[yoda]

There's a boarding/swim ladder on the transom of the boat (Nordship 35DS if it helps). It's normally folded up leaving the sugar scoop clear and the ladder lies close up against the vertical transom. Nothing but a bit of friction and its weight keep it there.

It's a hazard when novices are getting aboard from the dinghy as it looks like a handhold. There is a fixed step/handhold too but it's not immediately obvious that the ladder should not be used; grabbing it would lead to it unfolding and the grabber probably getting wet.

I need a device to hold the ladder firmly in the up position but it would be good for a MOB to be able to unclip it and deploy the ladder. I'm sure there's the right snurble grip fibley out there but I can't find it. Any suggestions?

Derek

Would a modification using something like this be possible? a suitably run lanyard with a toggle on the end that hangs near the water may be run in a way to both release the spring clip and pull the ladder down?

http://www.gsproducts.co.uk/stainless-steel-spring-loaded-bolt/

Yoda

 

[cpedw]

Update. I implemented the simplest solution I could, using two M8 eye nuts on 2 bolts through the transom with penny washers. The clip is closed by a plain pin on a piece of rope to disengage it. The other end of the rope is attached to the extremity of the boarding ladder so a MOB should be able to disengage the clip then pull down the boarding ladder with 2 tugs on the rope. Hopefully the photos make it all clear.

Now it's done, two snags have occurred to me.

Normally on passage, the dinghy is carried strapped to the back of the transom so the boarding ladder is completely inaccessible.

There's still the danger that an inexperienced boarder might pull on the rope for a support while boarding but it should be simpler to brief them not to touch the rope rather than "Hold on to that piece of stainless but don't touch any of those other bits" as it used to be.

Derek

PS Note the sunny weather we've been enjoying in Argyll recently .

 

[vyv_cox]

I see you have a solution. It occurred to me that the Fiamma plastic clips used to hold the folded tubes of the bike rack on my motorhome would do this job well. They have never allowed the rack to release when driving and I guess that the tube diameter is about right. http://www.johnscross.co.uk/fiamma-rack-holder.html

 

[NPMR]

We have a simple eye bolt in the transom with some cord and the ladder is simply tied up. Strong enough to grab from the dinghy (and we do) and ultra simple to deploy. Could be done in a hurry. I use a simple 'bow', like doing up a pair of laces on a shoe.

There's also a velcro strap but it's a nuisance and degrades in the UV. Not used.

 

[jwilson]

We have a simple eye bolt in the transom with some cord and the ladder is simply tied up. Strong enough to grab from the dinghy (and we do) and ultra simple to deploy. Could be done in a hurry. I use a simple 'bow', like doing up a pair of laces on a shoe.

There's also a velcro strap but it's a nuisance and degrades in the UV. Not used.

Could you get it down if you had fallen overboard with no-one else aboard to untie it?

Cpedw's solutions seems the best yet. I might do something similar.