There has been some interest on boarding ladders lately. Bil Hansen sent some photos of the type that I installed on my own boat and on others. It is simple, inexpensive (relatively) and easy to install. However there are some minor modifications that must be made to the mounting brackets.
The ladder can be ordered from West Marine #351901, four step, over platform and sells for $145.
The mounting bracket are the key slot type WM # 519355, they come in pairs so if you want to mount your boarding ladder on either side of the boat you will need to buy two packages of two.?
After you have the parts the procedure is as follows:
- Reverse the mounting brackets on the ladder so the flat side is facing down. Tighten the bracket so it remains in position and takes some effort to move it. Move it to 90 degrees to the ladder so the steps are slightly slanted outward.
- It is best to install some stainless or bronze “D” mold where the ladder will rest to prevent any damage to the bulwarks and rubrail.
- Hold the ladder against the rubrail with the brackets at about 90 degrees to the ladder. The bracket should be resting on top of the bulwarks where you want to mount it. Mark the inside of the bracket where it passes over the bulwarks.
- Extend this line up the sides of the bracket and cut the sides down to the bottom. Do not cut through the bottom.
- Bend the bracket down until it seems to have a comfortable set against the inside of the bulwarks. Now remove the bracket and have a piece welded between the gap. See photos attached. The welding cost will vary by shop.
- After the bracket is welded, install a 1/4" carriage bolt in the bottom hole. It is best if you can find a snug washer to install on the bolt first so the head extends out from the bracket about 1/8".
- Set the keyslot brackets over the head of the carriage bolts and hold the ladder in position where you want it to set and mark the holes. Note that the ladder must be slid into the small part of the keyslot. I mount mine so the ladder has to be removed by pulling forward. This is because I might want to get underway in a hurry and forget about the ladder. The forward motion will just push the ladder harder against the bracket.
- Drill the holes for 1/4" bolts. I use flat head machine screws so the head is countersunk on the outside of the bulwarks. If nylon nuts are used on the inside they will have to be ground down because the ladder bracket “may” hit the nuts preventing the carriage bolt head from setting in the keyslot.
- I splice a small lanyard to the ladder that is used to hold the ladder to a lifeline stanchion when deployed. It hold the ladder to the underside of the lifeline when moving short distances. It also holds the steps up tight for storage.
If you have any questions please feel free to email me at roger.olson@att.net