Integrated boarding ladder

Andy Garrett · **Posted:** Mon Jun 11, 2012 2:27 am

I've mentioned before that I want to turn my Zip into a swim platform, but I don't want to impart stress on my transom while climbing up a ladder--I only built it 1.5" thick. That's enough for the motor, and it will be well braced, but I thought that with a ladder like this, I could set it up so that the stresses are carried by the carlings and frame work.

Does anyone have any experience with something like this? I guess they are common on Tracker boats.

I had originally been thinking about something like this, but it might mean hardware along the back deck in order to tranfer the stress away from the transom.

jeffh · **Posted:** Mon Jun 11, 2012 4:28 pm

The idea of an integrated ladder is interesting. But that design looks like it could be difficult to grab onto in water that is not glassy smooth. Based on our experience with a few different boats a ladder with rungs has always been the easiest to get a foot onto and climb out. I'm not a structural engineer, but I don't think a ladder on the transom is going to add too much stress while in the water. I have a ladder that hooks over the side and also a platform ladder. I never got around to installing my platform but when I bring the boat home from the lake in a few months, I plan to install it. This teak and stainless platform is what I have. It may not work on a Zip, but one like Iggy's may work. The type that hangs over the side has rubber feet that fit against the hull and you could cut up a swim noodle and slide it over the hook ends until you come up with something more to your liking

Here is a photo of an outboard with a ladder on the transom. It looks to be 14-16ft and is similar to Iggy's

This is a photo I posted a few months ago, but it too appears to be 14-16ft in length and has an integrated platform. This one is pretty neat.

Feckless · **Posted:** Tue Jun 12, 2012 7:15 am

Not to highjack a thread but would like to add to the swim ladder question. My Malahini has a bright finished deck, expoxy coat then varnished. How did you guys solve the slippery when wet problem, and keep the nice bright finish?

jprice · **Posted:** Tue Jun 12, 2012 7:29 am

Just curious, have you found a place that sells it directly to the public?
I was looking at their site: http://www.garelick.com/prodcat.php?subid=AB04
and they're pretty specific about who they sell to:
IT IS IMPORTANT TO NOTE THAT THIS LADDER REQUIRES CUSTOM INSTALLATION AND IS ONLY AVAILABLE AS ORIGINAL EQUIPMENT AND SOLD TO BOAT BUILDERS ONLY.

Yes, I realize that most of us on here are boat builders, but they might not think so.

I get the impression they only sell to OEM's.

Bruce Dow · **Posted:** Tue Jun 12, 2012 9:07 am

They are a cool looking product.

They are probably worried about "hack jobs" as people try to retrofit them to existing boats.

Maybe Glen-L could stock them, arguing that they represent a community of people who are in the process of building their boats from scratch.... (Or convince them to offer a DIY Waiver)

Mr Hot Rod · **Posted:** Tue Jun 12, 2012 12:47 pm

Some manufacturers aren't really interested in selling their parts ...

A Google search with the term garelick eez-in 19902 will turn up several suppliers. Here's one :

Garelick 19902-32 Eez-In Black 3 Step Manual Boat Integrated Transom Ladder

______________________
Paul Kane
Kane Custom Boats Ltd.
Chelsea, Quebec

Iggy · **Posted:** Tue Jun 12, 2012 1:46 pm

I am a bit baffled as to why someone would be concerned about mounting a ladder to a 1.5" thick transom. Even a big old 300lbs body (actually a lot less due to the buoyancy force) applying a sheer force to the end of a ladder bolted onto a 1.5" thick laminated (ply or otherwise) transom is no big deal.

I'd bet you could bolt on a ladder to a 3/4" piece of ply (with big washers) and never tear that sucker off, even if you intentionally bounced on it for the sake of tearing it off.

Most of us are walking on 5/8" plywood floors spaced 16" apart in our homes (or thinner).

And you can always add more blocking to the back... like epoxying a 6"x6"x1/2" block to where your bolts are to reinforce the load.

The engine is a whole different animal, applying a significant force to the transom, plus vibration and weight, which is why a lot of us add more thickness just to be sure.

And really what we need is a step or two and a grab-handle to pull ourselves up.

As far as anti-slip... some clean sand dusted over the clear-coat will create a nice non-slip grip but still allow the wood to show through.

Roberta Hegy · **Posted:** Tue Jun 12, 2012 1:48 pm

Great Lakes Skipper is one of our local vendors. I have dealt a lot with them and they are very reputable. They may have some other options, as well as the Garelick.

Roberta

DaveLott · **Posted:** Tue Jun 12, 2012 4:08 pm

Interestingly, I have not had an issue with wet foot on wet deck. There seems to be a suction on my deck and my feet just don't slide. But I used Imron for my clear.

Glen-L.com

Integrated boarding ladder

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