Pls help me with buying decision between two ladders

[Expidia]

Seems like I try a different ladder out each season. They all did not work due to my low freeboard as each of them angles underneath the boat so as soon as I step on them due to the sides of the boat curving in towards the boats centerline it throws one's weight back away from the boat. It's easier to just step on the cavitation plate and pull myself into the boat. But this is dangerous because feet are wet and my Wife could never get in this way!

So after some searching around I came up with these two styles. The onE step is around $153 and the two step is around $184. They are both SS hardware and rails.

My reservation is the two step might be easier to board with because with only one step model from experience with other ladders makes it harder to board because they tend to throw your center of gravity back and I know my Wife will have difficulty boarding.

But the two step model appears to have both steps straight down which will make it harder to board.
The one step model angles out nicely from the back of the boat which might make this model better for us.
edit: actually from another view the step looks to be angled out properly as the one step model.
There is also another type of ladder for Bass type boats that is a two step type that drops into a $129 bracket (plus the cost of the ladder) that can be removed when not in use. But I know I'll drop the ladder into the drink at some point.
Also, this type of ladder has to be stored and I have no room onboard to do this.
And this style does not have the little swim platform that would make boarding and jumping in easier for us.

Leaning towards the two with the platforms. My kids are buying a ladder for me for my birthday. It's off season in the Northeast, so buy the time I get to mount it like in March I won't be able to return it over the 30 day return window.

Also, I only want to drill the needed holes once rather than switch models.

So my question is . . . has anyone out there had experience with either of the two models I'm linking to below?
Thx

http://s198.photobucket.com/albums/aa2/expidia/?action=view&current=1326557812.jpg

http://s198.photobucket.com/albums/aa2/expidia/?action=view&current=1326557849.jpg

Here is the bass boat model which comes in 2 or 3 steps (no platform)
but has to be stored somewhere.
http://m198.photobucket.com/albumview/albums/expidia/1326559925.jpg.html?o=0

 

[26aftcab454]

Re: Pls help me with buying decision between two ladders

2 step with platform would be my choice.

 

[jayhanig]

Re: Pls help me with buying decision between two ladders

2 step with platform would be my choice.

Mine too.

 

[SuperNova]

Re: Pls help me with buying decision between two ladders

2 step with platform would be my choice.

Gotta agree. The two step is actually easier to board with because of the bottom step being lower in the water and easier to get your foot on

 

[Expidia]

Re: Pls help me with buying decision between two ladders

Thx for those replies. The first two stepper I found was $320 (yikes). I've searched around and found the same model for $207 shipped.

I was worried that the hanging step design would shift into and under the boat making it difficult to board a swinging step much like the rope ladders I tried in the past.

I'll order the two step model, but won't be able to mount and try it out until the water warms up. Probably in June around here

 

[bobdec]

Re: Pls help me with buying decision between two ladders

Depends on users age, physical dexterity and height of platform above water. I bought one of these, over platform, telescoping, similar to your # 2 choice style, but with four steps. It holds my 200 lbs securely w/o tilting towards the transom. And the 4 steps makes boarding and entering water easy as walking up steps exiting a pool. They come in 2,3 and 4 step models. http://www.iboats.com/Windline-Over...632661715--**********.271623995--view_id.4470

 

[Expidia]

Re: Pls help me with buying decision between two ladders

Depends on users age, physical dexterity and height of platform above water. I bought one of these, over platform, telescoping, similar to your # 2 choice style, but with four steps. It holds my 200 lbs securely w/o tilting towards the transom. And the 4 steps makes boarding and entering water easy as walking up steps exiting a pool. They come in 2,3 and 4 step models. http://www.iboats.com/Windline-Over...632661715--**********.271623995--view_id.4470

Thx for posting a link to those models. What I have found is that type of ladder is designed for boats with wide gunnels and high sides.
My rig is only a 14.9 aluminum and the transom is 20 inches where the O/B sits and 25 inches on the sides of the O/B.

Most ladders I've tried are designed for boats with high sides and wide gunnels. That model would not grip the top and would hug the side so as not to let one's foot in the upper steps.

The small swim platform type with that side handrail looks to allow one to grip the rail with the right hand and the O/B with the left hand to steady one's self.

I know from experience that the one step (as another poster has mentioned) is so high in the water you can't get a foot up onto that step.

The two step model I was worried that it would shift into the transom and throw one's weight backwards away from the boat. It does not appear that it locks in place at an angle away from the rig?

I do like the folding and stowability of the model you linked to. I've tried similar and they don't work on my low freeboard huill style.

http://m198.photobucket.com/albumview/albums/expidia/Boat/DSC03964.jpg.html?o=35

 

[SuperNova]

Re: Pls help me with buying decision between two ladders

The two step model I was worried that it would shift into the transom and throw one's weight backwards away from the boat. It does not appear that it locks in place at an angle away from the transom

The way the hinges are mounted on the platform should cause the ladder to hold an angle perpendicular to the platform and not be able to swing under it. It can't angle out from the platform because that would expose the ladder to bending forces when you place your weight on it.

 

[Expidia]

Re: Pls help me with buying decision between two ladders

Looks there are different basic designs from separate companies.
This first one hangs. "under" the platform and stows there two. I don't know whether the stowed rungs would cause further drag on my hole shot to plane?
I might also call the company to see what that yellow label says on the right side?

http://m198.photobucket.com/albumview/albums/expidia/1326726614.jpg.html?newest=1

This other design has the rungs stowing on top. Also those brackets on top might be a stronger set up body weight wise. Although those top exposed brackets might be annoying if stepped on?

http://m198.photobucket.com/albumview/albums/expidia/1326557849.jpg.html?o=3&newest=1

Maybe a boater who has either of these models installed on their rig could chime into this thread?

 

[bobdec]

Re: Pls help me with buying decision between two ladders

Your boat pic in post #7 does not show a swim platform. As I mentioned I use a 4 step top of swim platform setup, #2 in your previous post. Yes when using platform w/ladder down you have to step between the hinges or very softly on them if barefooted. And with ladder up even telescoped in, it takes up the complete little platform. My boat is a fishing rig, very little swimming, etc except for pulling grand-kids on tubes occasionally. High freeboard and transdom , long-shaft OB makes it Almost impossible to use anti-cav plate to monkey board the boat. I'm retired, older, age and the ladder design (deployed and accessible) was considered for safety in case of any overboard situation. The platform originally had one of those 'one step' things on it, only ended up about 6-8 inches below the water, if that, totally useless except for a acrobat. Back to your pic, let me ask, are you planning on adding a platform, or thinking about a gunnel mount. These telescoping ladders are not removable as the hinge needs to be secured and it is designed fairly strong with stops to prevent ladder from swinging in. Usually a gunnel boarding ladder is removable as it gets in the way when underway. Sorry for long post...

 

[Expidia]

Re: Pls help me with buying decision between two ladders

The small white platform comes as part of the telescoping ladder and side rail assembly. I'm leaning towards the bracket on the top model just cause it looks like a stronger design.

That platform design will keep the ladder away from the transom for easier boarding I suspect over any hanging ladder design.

I use my rig for fishing and cruising but when we swim in the middle of a lake we always wear life preservers which make it even more difficult to re-board. I always feel like the Michelin Man (Bibber) when trying to get back into the boat

 

[Beefer]

Re: Pls help me with buying decision between two ladders

Don't know about your area, but here I see them on CL for $75 almost monthly. Or, you can always check the salvage yards. These were original to many many boats that are now scrap. (BTW, I have the one step, and it works fine for my family).

 

[Expidia]

Re: Pls help me with buying decision between two ladders

Don't know about your area, but here I see them on CL for $75 almost monthly. Or, you can always check the salvage yards. These were original to many many boats that are now scrap. (BTW, I have the one step, and it works fine for my family).

Thx, I'll check out CL too. These go for $320 on some sites and by searching around I found the Garelick for $169 plus $20 shipping. But $75 sounds even better. The Garelick and the AFI models are all Stainless Steel components except for the platform.

 

[Expidia]

Re: Pls help me with buying decision between two ladders

update: I ordered the Garelick model today. Which is where the ladder stores underneath model.
Their C/S rep said only the ladder part is made in China, every thing else hardware, platform and rails are made in USA.

 

[Expidia]

Re: Pls help me with buying decision between two ladders

Update: after uncovering the boat last month I found by holding that platform ladder against the transom it was going to be too big for my rig. Would have had to drill too many holes and relocate other hardware.

So I searched around for another ladder Idea and ordered this model from Garelick which is great for low freeboard type boats too.
It comes in SS which is pricey and heavy but their aluminum model was just the ticket for my needs. Found it for $206.

To mount it I just drop the top tab into the slot in the bracket I mounted to the rig with 4 bolts. A Clevis pin which looks like a smooth bolt that slides into a hole and locks itM in place, but if you forget it's still in the water and drive off the ladder swings up! Extends two steps under the water line for easy re-boarding. There is also a 4 step model for higher rigs. Ladder angle off transom is adjustable by moving a bolt.

Great part about this ladder's design is it folds up in one movement for storage in my locker. For the few times I actually need it since the waters don't heat up enough around here until early summer I did not want to have to have that platform model mounted permanently which would have interfered with my transom troller or my downrigger when I use them.

Iboats carries many of the Garelick models.

Check out the pics of how I mounted it on my rig:
And the last pic is from Friday 3/22 when we spent the 83 degree day on Lake George. We don't usually see days like these in March around here . In the background is the Sagamore Hotel. Water temp was 43 degrees so I did not try the ladder out

http://m198.photobucket.com/albumview/albums/expidia/1332632180.jpg.html?newest=1

http://m198.photobucket.com/albumview/albums/expidia/1332632272.jpg.html?newest=1

http://m198.photobucket.com/albumview/albums/expidia/1332632423.jpg.html?newest=1

http://m198.photobucket.com/albumview/albums/expidia/1332632338.jpg.html?newest=1