Boarding ladder or other recovery

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Figment
Damned Because It's All Connected
Posts: 2847
Joined: Tue Apr 08, 2003 9:32 am
Boat Name: Triton
Boat Type: Grand Banks 42
Location: L.I. Sound

Boarding ladder or other recovery

Post by Figment »

What's the favored type of boarding/swimming ladder for classic ol' sailboats like ours?

Do you have some other kind of man overboard recovery device for emergency use, or do you have a ladder-for-all-occasions?
Dave, 397

Post by Dave, 397 »

I have a four-rung ladder made from varnished planks of 3/4" Ironwood (hey, I had it around and it had been free) with holes bored and rope led thru/knotted beneath. Last two rungs hung in the water off my Commander...Triton freeboard is hardly higher.

The line is kust 3/8" 3-twist nylon, hitched off into a loop at the top that can be hooked over a winch or cleat.

Dingus was inspired by the cheapy plastic Davis thing, but improved to have bigger rungs for better footing (which is further improved with some Scotchtread Strips) and the holes the line passes thru are offset towards the boat about 3/4" or so to help keep the things from tipping outward when stepped on. Sharpie pen notation underneath the varnish on the inboard edge of each rung , "This Side Towards Boat".

Pics on request.

Dave
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