195 Sport Swim Ladder Cover

[Ottawa_Gambin]

Has anyone ever designed, built or purchased a cover for the swim ladder on a 2011 195 Sport?

My dog likes to jump off the back but I'm worried he is going to get his leg caught and then do some damage to bones and tendons.

As far as I can tell this is the ladder I have: https://windline.com/index.php?route=product/product&path=59_66&product_id=71

I've seen the larger boats with flip up covers and was wondering if this ladder was used on any of those but I can't seem to find that info.

Thanks for any help.

 

[Lazy Daze]

It doesn't really matter if that ladder was used with larger boats (they weren't, fyi). Your concern does not center around the actual ladder. It's that there is a tripping hazzard - worried about the doggie's nails/toes getting stuck in the small crevices. The larger boats have a totally different swim platform design. There would be no way to feasibly make a flush cover that can be used with the ladder in the stowed position. However, it wouldn't be hard to make a flush "plug" that could be used with the ladder deployed. Use a piece of 1/2" starboard, cut to the exact size of the depression in the platform. Then use some more starboard as spacers/legs to keep the piece flush so it doesn't fall into the depression. Deploy the ladder, plop the plug in.

 

[Ottawa_Gambin]

Thanks that's a good idea. What is starboard? I'm in Canada and have never heard of it before.

I'm planning to rig a sensor to let me know when the ladder is down because I have forgotten it down a couple times and headed to the marina.

 

[Lazy Daze]

Starboard is a brand name for HDPE made by King Plastic. You don't have to buy that brand - but Google it - you'll find it very easily. Taco Metals is another manufacturer. You can also buy generic stuff through a place like Mcmaster Carr. This stuff is VERY common in the marine industry - you can probably even find it from a local marine retailer.

I wouldn't worry about the ladder and making a sensor. You're not the first to do that and you won't be the last!

 

[Ottawa_Gambin]

Thanks I know what I'm looking for now and if it's not a problem I won't worry about ladder being down.

 

[Lazy Daze]

Your welcome!

Post back when you make it with some DIY pics/dimensions - I'm sure others would like it. It will work for all model years of this particular 195 design - along with the 185.

 

[Ottawa_Gambin]

I will post it for sure. Now I just have to remember to take a measuring tape with me when I go to the boat.