Need a ladder for a 16' Starcraft

thegipper

Petty Officer 1st Class
Joined
Jul 16, 2015
Messages
236
We have a week long vacation planned with family in the northwoods of WI. I want to take my Niece/Nephew tubing and I want a way for them to be able to get back into the boat.

My boat is a 16' starcraft fishing boat (1984ish), its a pretty deep V hull with high sides (has a decent sized splash well).

Initially I was think mounting a telescoping ladder (4 step) on the transom but since the tubes would be resting against the transom directly, I don't think that would work.

The other thought was one of those "portable" ladders that folds away. The kind where you install the two mounts somewhere on the boat and the ladder "hooks" into it when in use (has rubber feet that keep the ladder from swinging towards the inside of the boat).

They also make traditional folding ladders that can mount to the transom, I guess that is an option too although it would be a little bulky, even folded, on my transom.

Any thoughts, suggestions, pictures of your setup would be super helpful.

Thanks guys
 

roscoe

Supreme Mariner
Joined
Oct 30, 2002
Messages
21,739
Here is my Starcraft, with a flip down telescoping ladder.
Mounted it vertically, used a piece of starboard for a standoff and to protect aluminum from scuffing.

when flipped up, it is secured with a velcro strap.
Easy to deploy from the water if I ever fall overboard when fishing alone.


ladder.jpg
 

thegipper

Petty Officer 1st Class
Joined
Jul 16, 2015
Messages
236
Here is my Starcraft, with a flip down telescoping ladder.
Mounted it vertically, used a piece of starboard for a standoff and to protect aluminum from scuffing.

when flipped up, it is secured with a velcro strap.
Easy to deploy from the water if I ever fall overboard when fishing alone.



This is excellent because this is exactly what I ended up ordering. After eyeballing my boat and looking at all available options, I think this is the best route to take.

I also ordered some rubber "bumpers" that I may need to install on the transom. My transom has a decent angle to it (pitched towards the center of the boat). My concern is that if I install the telescoping ladder on the transom, when deployed, the ladder will be angled under the boat. My thought was to install bumpers for the ladder to rest on which would keep the ladder more vertical when deployed.

Parts will be here today and I'm hoping to install this weekend. I'll post pictures once I get it all squared away.
 
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