Step Fender or Fender ladder?

[Porthandbuoy]

I'm in the market for one of these . . .


Or one of these . . .



to make clambering aboard from the dinghy a bit easier for younger crew who struggle with the freeboard, and older crew with artificial joints who struggle with the freeboard.

Anyone care to recommend one over the other? (step, not crew)

 

[PlanB]

The blue one looks more user friendly to me.

 

[Poignard]

A rigid ladder always felt more secure for me, and my wife. Not much good as a fender though...

 

[Ray Purchase]

I've use both, and the blue one I found more stable.

 

[SaltIre]

There's one in For Sale:
https://forums.ybw.com/threads/dan-fender-fender2step-blue-£35.619486/

 

[Sea Change]

We've got a three rung version of the blue one and it's good.

 

[lustyd]

Either way, measure it. Ours ties to the toe rail and I have to tie it as close as possible and it still ends up just above most pontoons and that’s on a 1999 AWB with reasonably high decks. I don’t have anything higher I’d want to tie it to so do have a good think and plan before buying.

 

[dunedin]

We've got a three rung version of the blue one and it's good.

Ditto a two rung version of the fender ladder type. Wife loves it, never have to jump down onto pontoon, and I also find it great.

Some with hefty wide feet have complained the steps are a bit narrow (fine with my size 8’s)

 

[johnalison]

I have only used them when board other people's boats. I would say that the blue one being shallower requires you to place your toe effectively, while the white one sticks out further and is easier, but its squidginess feels a bit insecure. I'd probably go for blue.

 

[Skysail]

Just to add another view, we used a Fenderstep on a Jeanneau 43DS which was high freeboard. Very effective.

 

[Hermit]

But remember - its either a step or a fender. It can't do both at the same time. So really, its just a soft ladder.

 

[lustyd]

Just to add another view, we used a Fenderstep on a Jeanneau 43DS which was high freeboard. Very effective.

What did you tie it to?

 

[Porthandbuoy]

Seems the blues have it. Thanks guys.

 

[Sea Change]

But remember - its either a step or a fender. It can't do both at the same time. So really, its just a soft ladder.

Our much longer one can do both if the dock is high enough. Although it's pretty skinny compared to our actual fenders.

 

[thinwater]

I'm in the market for one of these . . .
View attachment 195267

Or one of these . . .

View attachment 195268

to make clambering aboard from the dinghy a bit easier for younger crew who struggle with the freeboard, and older crew with artificial joints who struggle with the freeboard.

Anyone care to recommend one over the other? (step, not crew)

ISO and ABYC require a boarding ladder that can be deployed from the water without assistance. There must be at least two wrung (about 28 inches) below the water. The only exceptions are for very small boats and dinghies. You can Google this.

That is the right answer and what is done on new boats. I started adding longer ladders my boats 40 years ago when my parents got older. Also, if one of you falls in while trying to use this bodge, you may not be able to get them out of the water. You listed the challenges above. It's cold and you will feel rather badly if it ends badly ... which it can. People drown falling off docks and dinghies into cold water every year.

The step fenders are ONLY for boarding from the pier.

 

[Porthandbuoy]

The freeboard is such that boarding from a pontoon is easy; no step needed. From a pier it's usually a ladder down to the boat!

@thinwater You are, of course correct. If my boat was coded for charter then it would have to comply. It is not, therefore the choice is mine. There is a fixed folding boarding ladder on the transom but when the boat is pitching it can be difficult, and even dangerous, to use. The lowest freeboard is midships where the shrouds are ready to hand. A fender step will do the job.

 

[thinwater]

The freeboard is such that boarding from a pontoon is easy; no step needed. From a pier it's usually a ladder down to the boat!

@thinwater You are, of course correct. If my boat was coded for charter then it would have to comply. It is not, therefore the choice is mine. There is a fixed folding boarding ladder on the transom but when the boat is pitching it can be difficult, and even dangerous, to use. The lowest freeboard is midships where the shrouds are ready to hand. A fender step will do the job.

The fixed ladder can be mid-ships. Many cruising boats mount them there. The transom is common only because it is cheaper and simpler.

Curiously, the pitching at anchor problem is not a multi-hull problem. Stern ladders and platforms work just fine. A different motion. Also, the davit tackles are at hand and the swim platform makes a nice pontoon that you can tie to (parallel to the boat, not across the back).

 

[petibonvm]

There is also this model, seen in Scotland

 

[alahol2]

I've shown it before but this is a homemade solution...
Made from scraps 12 years ago after wife's double hip replacement, still in use.

 

[Egret]

Depends on height - We have a fat one like an 'Anchor Marine Step Fender' - to get in and out of the dinghy - set at the side by the rigging - hold on to the rigging while stepping up - works well with the one cord - once set at the right level - nice and fat - can get the hollow arch of foot on it so nice and steady, one rope so easy to lift onto deck and also used as dinghy fender. Set it over dinghy when using so can only fall into dinghy if fall. Tried a multi step like the blue one but too slim, can only get toes of foot on it so unsteady. Tried metal folding steps but fiddly. Have wooden rope ladder too like above if ashore. Plan one day to make a proper fitted wooden boarding ladder.