Ladder Do's and Don'ts?

[Dave 205]

I swear I saw somewhere that my 3 step Windline standard ladder has a 300 lb. capacity, but I can't find that factoid again.

The ladder does have a sticker saying not to use it when out of the water. I noticed that after 3 months of using it to board after putting it on the trailer. Heck, half the time the ladder is down in the garage with a little rug under it to wipe feet before boarding.

I guess that the ladder is less stressed when your body is somewhat bouyant in the water, but my middle step puts 90% of my 200 lb. body out of the water anyway.

The ladder does bend sort of obviously when I climb it while out of the water. Anybody have any problems with this?

 

[skb0203]

I just had to replace the ladder on our 240SD...the origional ladder was fine when we purchased the boat but after having some maintenence done on the boat the ladder was tucked under the swim platform somewhat. I pulled it off and the backside was bent! I guess the mechanics used it out of the water to board the boat. I replaced it with an aftermarket ladder of the same dimensions ( recommendation of the local SeaRay dealer ). We always use a 4' stepladder when the boat is out of the water. I dont think the problem is the second step but the force applied on the bottom step leverages the ladder bending it against the rests.

I would use the step ladder out of the water I know I spent a couple hunderd dollars on a new boarding ladder and probably sever hours on the internet shopping for the right one. Assuming your 205's ladder is the same as my sundecks from SeaRay the ladder is $300 plus. FIberglass stepladder $49 plus much more stable getting on and off boat. We carry it with us where ever we take the boat. I guess it part of our standard gear now.

In Crystal River Fl last month when scalloping several folks we met down there actually borrowed the ladder from us a time or two to use on their boats.

 

[OldSkool]

I replaced my ladder with a three step 300LBS ladder. Got it as Academy Sports for 80 bucks. I use a step ladder when out of the water too. I haven't had any issues with bending so far and we've had it 2 seasons now.

 

[CliffA]

after spending a couple hundred bucks on a replacement ladder (old one corroded) i decided to not use it for boarding the boat when trailered and take the chance of bending the new ladder....i too am around 200 lbs and without the bouyancy from the water the ladder seems to stress to near its max limit which was claimed at 300 lbs...i bought a cheap 6' aluminum step ladder at Home Depot and cut off the back leg...being made of aluminum and with the back leg cut off the ladder only weighs around 5 lbs so it can be handled easily by me and the admiral...i use the ladder to board the boat when trailerd both at home and at the ramp when preparing to launch...i put some foam pipe insulation on the section of ladder that makes contact with the rub rail so that the ladder will not scratch the rail....

 

[Dave 205]

...i put some foam pipe insulation on the section of ladder that makes contact with the rub rail so that the ladder will not scratch the rail....

Love it! My extension ladder is mounted horizontal on the wall beside my boat. For years, a car sat there and the door frames were at risk of hitting the ladder edge. I padded mine the same way.

Thanks for the words of experience all. I'm putting my step ladder behind my boat now, and looking for a cheapo to work with.