Macwester 27 boarding ladder

[ronmarson]

As I get older and stiffer I find that I regret not buying the Roan Crown as it has a door in the transom so one can step from the dink onto the boat without having to clamber over the push pit.
This started me thinking, could I replace the folding boarding ladder with a fixed ladder bolted to the transom and attached (welded) to the push pit rails that would be cut to allow one to board with some degree of safety?
I think the uprights of the ladder could extend above the lazarett as hand rails and form a small 'Radar arch' type of arrangement to hold the aerials and the modest solar panels.
As always your thoughts would be welcome.
Capt. RoN

 

[VicS]

Like this,

 

[ronmarson]

Thanks Vic but.I was thinking of something more vertical, probable wider too. Bolted on just above the waterline, again on the top of the transom and extending about 5 feet above the deck level.
If I am going to the trouble and expense of getting it made there is no sense in not making it easy to use and as fool proof as possible. I am only going to get older and more infirm.
CR

 

[VicS]

Thanks Vic but.I was thinking of something more vertical, probable wider too. Bolted on just above the waterline, again on the top of the transom and extending about 5 feet above the deck level.
If I am going to the trouble and expense of getting it made there is no sense in not making it easy to use and as fool proof as possible. I am only going to get older and more infirm.
CR

Rats. Detailed reply with my ideas lost in cyberspace but definitely be able to improve with a custom made ladder. I guess the one in the picture is a standard off the shelf jobbie

 

[ex-Gladys]

Beware of transom ladders if you are boarding in anything of a sea... Portable midships ladder is much better

 

[Billjratt]

Usual is a stern ladder pivoted on brackets about 1/2 way up the transom with stand-offs if needed for a correct angle. When up it becomes the pushpit gate, and reaches well underwater when down.
All good and well as long as you don't fancy davits at a later date.
Also, it has to be releasable from water level if you fall in. I used a lanyard attached to a cupboard door latch. Can be offset if you have a single centre backstay obstructing the gate. (or self steering)
Some form of midships arrangement is always a good idea, I've seen a few boats with a long section of ladder incorporated in the guardrail with pivots offset at 45 degrees, making a safe and useful facility for MOB rescue (as it opens a wide gate amidships)

 

[ronmarson]

Billjratt,
I have the Usual stern ladder pivoted on brackets about 1/2 way up the transom with stand-offs, but it is not very user-friendly and I don't have a gap in the push pit so I have to clamber over it. If I cut it to make a gate way I will have problems supporting the ends of the cut push pit enough for me to use it as a hand rail.
I have twin back stays so no problems there.
As for MOB recovery, if the ladder is made strong enough an extension can easily be deployed as you suggest.
I was sure some Macwester 26 or 27 owner would have addressed this problem.
I like your 'Motorsailors - a must for West Coast geriatrics' I motorsail most of the time.
CR

 

[Tranona]

No reason why you should not construct a permanent boarding platform with a ladder going down into the water, probably hinged and a fixed ladder with hand rails going up to the boat. Tubular stainless with teak slats or a grid for the platform. Will have to be quite a substantial structure and may look a bit OTT on your size of boat but very practical.

 

[ronmarson]

Tranona,
I suppose that is my problem, I don't want it to take away from what is, to my eyes at least, a good looking boat.
I have seen some very ugly bits added to boats.
I think I will have to go and talk to my welder and see what he suggests.
Thanks for your inputs.
CR