How can i replace swim ladder on 1995 Searay 185BR

[needsoftseat]

I would like to add a longer swim ladder to my 1995 185BR, I currently have the folding 2 step and would like to have a longer one. Here's my issue, the ladder is held to the boat with two screws/bolts on each bracket. does anyone know if this is a screw or an actual bolt with a nut on the other side. I cant see what's on the back and dont want to take one out and find out it had a nut that just fell off. I have no idea how I would get anything underneath it to hold the nut if it has one. Anyone have first hand knowledge??
thanks in advance

 

[needsoftseat]

here's a pic of what i currently have installed

 

[OldSkool]

Please attach pictures of the area so we can see what may work. I bought a three step from Sports Academy and it works very well. Please see the attached picture.

 

[needsoftseat]

This is the best picture I have right now. I will take better ones next time I'm at boat storage.

 

[needsoftseat]

The ladder you have in your picture has the same brackets as the one i have, but I have no way to get to the underside.

 

[Lakebum431]

Could you just use the same mounting bracket that is already there and just replace the ladder part?

 

[needsoftseat]

Could you just use the same mounting bracket that is already there and just replace the ladder part?

I thought of that but the current ladder is a fold up so the bracket isn't wide enough to accomodate the extension ladder. by width I mean the tube diameter of the ladder where it fits into the bracket.

 

[src]

There are almost certainly nuts under there, and probably a backing plate. Getting a 300lb person out of the water puts a LOT of stress on those mounts. I'm in the same situation, and just haven't dug in yet due to the fact that the gas tank sits in front of that area of the boat.

 

[CliffA]

i replaced the swim ladder on our boat and ran into the same issues as you...i had to get a little 'creative' in finding a way to reach the old ladder's backing plate and nut that was on the underside of my swim platform...i used a box end wrench that was duct taped to the end of a broom handle....i covered one side of the open section of the wrench end with duct tape so the nut would not slide through the wrench end when it was unscrewed from the bolt....from the engine compartment i was able to reach under the swim platform with the wrench on the broom handle to place the wrench end on the nut....then my wife loosened and removed the mounting bolt from the top side of the swim platform....it was a little clumsy but it worked well...i used the same process in reverse for mounting the new swim ladder...you can see the new ladder in my sig pic....

good luck...

cliff

 

[needsoftseat]

i replaced the swim ladder on our boat and ran into the same issues as you...i had to get a little 'creative' in finding a way to reach the old ladder's backing plate and nut that was on the underside of my swim platform...i used a box end wrench that was duct taped to the end of a broom handle....i covered one side of the open section of the wrench end with duct tape so the nut would not slide through the wrench end when it was unscrewed from the bolt....from the engine compartment i was able to reach under the swim platform with the wrench on the broom handle to place the wrench end on the nut....then my wife loosened and removed the mounting bolt from the top side of the swim platform....it was a little clumsy but it worked well...i used the same process in reverse for mounting the new swim ladder...you can see the new ladder in my sig pic....

good luck...

cliff

I may have to look at trying that. I guess I'll have to get creative. I'll look this weekend to see exactly how much clearance I have. My gas tank sits right in front of the swim ladder! thanks for the idea.

 

[needsoftseat]

There are almost certainly nuts under there, and probably a backing plate. Getting a 300lb person out of the water puts a LOT of stress on those mounts. I'm in the same situation, and just haven't dug in yet due to the fact that the gas tank sits in front of that area of the boat.

I'm in the same position, my gas tank is in front of the swim ladder too. I think I'll take a hand mirror to the lake this weekend and see what i can see in there! This may be a project for the end of the season when I'm replacing the sundeck and will have it off and out of the way.