Swim ladder extension

Stingrayaxe

Active Member
Oct 29, 2015
341
Crystal Lake
Boat Info
2009 Sea Ray 205 Sport
2015 Chevy Tahoe, Max Towing
Engines
5.0 Merc Alpha 1
There is thread going with a swim ladder mod. I didn’t want to hijack it so I’m starting my own.

Another member was asking about a swim ladder extension and this is what I wrote:
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Mocracy said:
I keep wanting to add an additional rung at the bottom of the ladder somehow. It'd have to be removable so I could take it off for running around.

My best, but-not-very-good, idea is some kind of length of stainless tubing for the rung with a length of stainless chain through the tubing, with bolts through the tubing and chain links to keep the tubing from rotating, and then some kind of attachment to the existing ladder rails using a carabiner.

Windline actually make a 4 step ladder that's very similar to the one my 310DA, it makes me wonder how difficult it would be to swap out, especially just a partial swap of just the ladder portion and keeping the existing mounted bracket.

And I responded:
I just made something like this. It’s my second version actually. First version served me well for many years until the chain started to rust. 12” piece of 3/4 PVC with a elbow on each end. Threaded some swing set chain through that was Long enough to loop around the bottom rung of existing ladder and give me a 12” step. Covered that with vinyl tubing for protection. Added a chain snap to connect it. Covered PVC with non skid tape.

Version two is similar. Varnished oak step with a 1/8” aluminum plate on the bottom for strength. Chrome chain and stainless hardware. The last coat of spar varnish is drying now. Tomorrow I can assemble it and take a picture.

The admiral won’t leave the dock without it.

So here are pictures of the newest version. Has not been sea tested yet but I don’t see any reason it won’t work. Sturdier and more rust resistant than version 1.


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As an update..... I was able to sea test the extension last week. It worked flawlessly. More stable than the old PVC version. However I was in the boat last weekend getting it ready for our annual Northern Wisconsin trip next week and I noticed a few rust spots in the clear tubing. While the chain I used was chrome plated there were very small gaps in the links where they were pressed together. It looks like rust is starting to form there. Errrrrrr...... I need better chain. Just can't find what I want. Small diameter yet strong and rust resistant. Maybe coated wire rope?
 
The vinyl tube is hastening the rust since it retains moisture. Plus, the chrome plated stuff usually isn't very durable. Stainless chain could be an option. You could also look at some of the commercially available add-a-step products on the market and see what they're using (for some ideas).
 
I agree. The tubing was to protect the Windmere (spelling?)step. I can only find stainless chain on line in rolls I need four feet. I haven’t seen ladder extensions online. I’ve searched Overtons West Marine FP and others. Where have you seen them?
 
I haven't looked recently for those extensions, but I've seen them here and there for at least 30+ years. I'd probably just search for something like boat ladder extension step, or something like that. Who knows - maybe they don't make them anymore. Used to have one a long time ago - a long time ago! Good idea you have there, though.

https://www.mcmaster.com/stainless-steel-chain
 
Thanks for the link. I should have thought about McMaster or Grainger. Better than searching locally at HD, Ace and Marina's.
 

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