Replace swim ladder

[msmandel]

I have to remove the factory swim ladder in order to make room for the port side Lenco 164 trolling motor. I have no need for a platform and am considering an over-the-gunwale ladder except I can't find a place to store one. My only need for a ladder at all is to get back into boat after I've been forced to go into the water because of grounding, etc., a not uncommon experience here in Key West. Has anybody out there faced a similar dilemma and overcame it and if so, how?

Thanks in advance

MM

[mtty]

I can't help with your trolling motor issues but if you'd like to get rid of the swim platform let me know. Some folks are a little squeamish about stepping on the cavitition plate to reboard.

[msmandel]

One way or another I will be getting rid of the swim platform. I'm not sure what you mean by "stepping on the cavitation plate to reboard". I assume you mean on the outboard engine. I weigh 190 lbs. and would probably cause some other problem by doing that.

[mtty]

Since I was a kid we always reboarded the boat by stepping on the cavitation plate just above the prop and pulled ourselves up to reboard the boat. Poverty sux and necessity dictated. At this point, with nominal success under my belt, I'd love to find a used swim platform. The lbs. are not dodging me anymore and it'd sure be easier to reboard the boat with a platform. I just thought if you'd like to liberate yourself from a used platfrom I'm in the market. Drop me a line. If it isn't too far I'd help patch holes, pay shipping etc. EZTDBW. Easy to do business with..............

[AstroDiver]

I have a stainless steel telescoping ladder that I put over the side of my boat. I have a safety cord that I attach throught the rear cleat to make sure I don't loose the ladder. It can hop around a bit when the boat is a rockin'.
For storage, I retract the ladder and then store it next to the inside of the boat at the rear. I use a bungee from ladder to the side rail. It stays put and is out of the way. The bungee it of the type with a ball on it. I got the ladder at Boat US.
http://www.westmarine.com/webapp/wcs...llpartial/30/0
I have the 4 step model. Use it to get out of the water after scuba diving w/o gear. Rated for 250#
Hope that helps.

[msmandel]

This is actually the ladder I was considering. What do you do with it when it's not in the water. I was thinking of trying to find some way to mount it on the side of the center console. Any suggestion would be appreciated.

MM

[msmandel]

Dear AstroDiver,

Whoops! My apologies. When I saw the link to west marine I jumped on it without reading your reply more carefully. Of course you answered my original question in its entirety.

Thank you.

MM

[msmandel]

As the attached photos show I replaced the factory swim ladder with a Garelick Telescoping Stainless Steel Gunwale Eez-In Hook Ladder, Model 06131 (whew). I got it at Boater's World: http://www.boatersworld.com/product/367420205.htm

An unexpected bonus it that it fits into the ice chest which we use for storage. Hope this info is useful.

My thanks to AstroDiver for the lead.

MM

a.k.a. Ensign Runaground