Transom Boarding Ladder

[CaptCG]

Hello All,

I would like to install a transom ladder on my 1980 P365 Sloop.  Any recommendations or ideas appreciated.

Fair Winds,

Carl
s/v Sea Hiker
Manitowoc, WI

[Della and Dave]

You might look at Dale's post from a while ago.  His looks like a nice ladder.  http://www.pearson365.com/forum/index.php?topic=227.msg740#msg740

[jpendoley]

Carl,
I will take a picture of mine tonight for you. I've been using it extensively for the last two months as I am on the hard and going from ladder to boarding ladder twenty times a night. Very sturdy and stable. It also worked fine when the boat was floating and I used it to  board the zodiac when I launched it from the davits.
Jim

[Jim S]

Below are two photos of the factory transom ladder on Phantom.  Hope it helps

[Della and Dave]

We have the factory ladder and it does work in my opinion, but if I had the opportunity to start with a clean piece of paper, I would do a couple of things differently.  It's flaws aren't so bad that I would consider replacing it though.  Dale's design solves several of these issues. 

1) The ladder sits quite close to the hull, both in the folded up position and down.  It's hard to get a full foot on.  Another couple of inches of standoff would be nice.  Right now only the toes of your shoes can go through unless you put your foot on sideways. Workable still, but not as comfortable as it could be. 

2) In the water, it doesn't go very deep, only one rung, so using it to climb out would be hard.  For us, if you go in, you may be hypothermic getting out because the water is cold.  Making it as easy as possible to board is a good thing.  Another rung would be nice. 

3) Like most ladders, the rungs are small diameter tubing, looks like around 3/4.  Plenty strong, but hard on your feet climbing if you are not in stiff soled shoes.  A flat 2 inch wide tread would be nice.

A removable side ladder sold by a marine store may be a good choice as well.  West marine advisor has a thing on boarding ladders which recommends at least two rungs in the water.  I think ours only has one.  The stern is pretty busy, at least on Polaris.  Mizzen running backs, Davits, BBQ grill, outboard hanger, life sling, man overboard pole etc.  A little hard to thread your way through that stuff.  It is nice for boarding the dink over the stern though. 

[Jim S]

Phantom has the same ladder described on s/v Polaris with the same pros and cons.  We use it for dinghy access when using the davits.  Stern ladder dinghy access has problems with the pitching of the boat when the stern can rise and fall very vigorously.  Boarding access on Phantom is from the port or starboard sides via a custom folding ladder.  It is much easier to board at the side decks.