Making extra step for ladder

[Toyelectroman]

My current boat has your normal 3 step telescoping metal ladder, and I really need a 4 step ladder. Originally I bought a 4 step ladder, but the issue I have is to remove the current ladder I would need to get access to the nuts in the bilge. Unfortunately it is pretty much impossible to get a wrench to them so I thought about just making an extra step to install on my original ladder. What I have in mind is a some rope and a wood plank tied to the last step of the ladder. Anybody ever making anything like this or have an other ideas?

 

[roscoe]

Wood is going to float up to the level of the middle step.

Better use a piece of aluminum.

 

[briangcc]

I think if you toss some weights into the bottom of your wooden plank to get it to stay sunk you'd be ok. How much weight that's going to be though is anyone's guess.

 

[Blorton]

To the points about bouyancy, I would go a different route. Get a thick one foot section of gas pipe at the hardware store, thread floor flanges on each end, then use carabiners and chain to hang that off the bottom step.

 

[flashback]

I've done it. It will work but it's not stable so balancing is not easy..

 

[Toyelectroman]

I also thought about using starboard too. I know starboard has some buoyancy just not sure if it would have more buoyancy than wood. I do plan on adding some metal plate backing to the bottom of the step

 

[froggy1150]

Or ....
Galvanized pipe and nipples
2 couplings or caps,
2 90's,
3 nipples at whatever lengths you need,
4-6 hoseclamps.
Make a u shape with the couplings or caps at the ends so the u dont slide thru the hose clamps and tighten clamps around ladder sides and u pipe.
Position clamp screws away from inside to prevent scrapes and maybe even wrap with tape.

 

[JimS123]

Many years ago I wanted to add another step to my ladder. I found a kit that did that very thing. It had a SS "loop" that fit round the bottom step, and thus would extend it. When folded up it fit nicely with the existing ladder.

Sorry, about 46 years ago so I can't provide part numbers. I sold the boat 4 years ago. Google it. Maybe an OEM will shoe up on ebay.