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would like to know if anybody uses those swim ladders that hook over the side gunnel. are they any good.reason of asking the question is that the transom mounted one i currently have might have to be done away with if i mount an outboard bracket. not much room on the tophat transom. cheers rob

Hi Rob.
My wife purchased a s/s one for me from Whitworths for approx. $300.
I started to attach the fittings it slides into but found it easier to hang it off the side guard rail .
The legs that fold out from the unit, rest against the hull. This keeps the ladder vertical & gives room for your foot to properly stand on the rung & not get squashed against the hull as happens with a rope ladder.
Cheers.
Larry.

A boarding ladder on the side, even a folding one, has to be removeable. Mine wasn't till I came up to an old pole jetty... I think the important thing with a ladder is ensure it goes down into the water so you can push/pull yourself up without difficulty. Bottom rung should sit 20-30cm under water.

As Rod says, it must go into the water. I have the folding type that fits into slots screwed to the port side deck about 30cm from the stern, just inside the toe rails. It works well.

Prior to that, I had made a rope ladder with lovely timber steps....... Rope ladders are fine for young, fit teenagers, not for anyone who is unbalanced or heavier than perhaps they should be. Although it does make for a good laugh watching people try to get out of the water on one.....

I sailed for many years - when married and on various boats with those plastic folding boarding ladders.

They work very well...


WITH ONE MAJOR FAULT!!!!
They are not automatic.



I am notorious for picking up a mooring, dropping anchor or whatever then diving over the side for a swim.

Now this is fine when there is a doting husband on board to put out the ladder to enable me to climb back on board.


When I bought Sea Lady, following my divorce - getting her boarding platform and extendable stainless steel ladder that hangs a long way into the water from the platform was the first thing I installed.
I can fold it down for boarding when in the water.

3 rungs at least underwater makes life easy.