Modification to Tube Steel swim ladder

[curtisv]

Curtis,  if you can figure out a way to make this happen, you could cut off the stern pulpit cross bar, weld on tangs and add a rear lifeline (to unclip while using the ladder).  That's how Island Time is configured.  It works pretty well in terms of boarding.  You would loose some bar space for a grill or solar panel though.

I looked again and this is looking very promising though rather pricey.

http://www.divendog.com/Gallery.aspx available at http://www.defender.com/product.jsp?path=-1|10391|109363|824297&id=731218

Mounted on the side just forward of the stern rail, this would solve the older friends boarding from the dinghy problem as well as make for a very easy boarding ladder for swimming.  If I did this it would be stored vertical.  Expensive though.

Curtis

[Richard]

I just got a 23/3 last spring, had a great summer with it... think the swim ladder is hopeless. My previous boat was a Catalina 22, with a very simple and very good swim ladder. Catalina Direct will send me one for $123.00. That's my solution... Google them and see.
Richard Evans
Voyage to Ithica

[Salty19]

Curtis, I'm not sure if you understood my comment..perhaps you did?

The way my boat is setup, and this is different from other Compacs of this type, is the rear pulpit is two distinct port/starboard assemblies with stern rails seats integrated on each side.  They are bolted down like other stern pulpits. The difference is there is no fixed cross bar to connect them.  Instead, there is a short version of a lifeline (31" long on my CP19) that connects to two small welded tangs on the inner edges of the stern rails.   This aft lifeline can be disconnected and will allow you to step up the ladder, put your foot on the aft deck (right next to the mainsheet block to starboard) then step into the cockpit.  So you don't have to go over or around the sternrails.   I haved a pic somewhere..I'll find it and post it.

This aft lifeline was not original to the boat, I added it after taking posession.  Seemed like it should have been there all along.

Anyway, it makes life a heck of a lot easier to get back onboard-almost as easy as an Eclipse-but not quite.

[Bob23]

Mike:
   I remember some of those old photos of Island Time. A very sweet boat. The separate stern rails with the seats was what caught my eye. And, although not a close-up, it is visible in your first photobucket, ah, bucket!
Bob23

[curtisv]

Curtis, I'm not sure if you understood my comment..perhaps you did?

The way my boat is setup, and this is different from other Compacs of this type, is the rear pulpit is two distinct port/starboard assemblies with stern rails seats integrated on each side.  They are bolted down like other stern pulpits. The difference is there is no fixed cross bar to connect them.  Instead, there is a short version of a lifeline (31" long on my CP19) that connects to two small welded tangs on the inner edges of the stern rails.   This aft lifeline can be disconnected and will allow you to step up the ladder, put your foot on the aft deck (right next to the mainsheet block to starboard) then step into the cockpit.  So you don't have to go over or around the sternrails.   I haved a pic somewhere..I'll find it and post it.

This aft lifeline was not original to the boat, I added it after taking posession.  Seemed like it should have been there all along.

Anyway, it makes life a heck of a lot easier to get back onboard-almost as easy as an Eclipse-but not quite.

My CP23 stern pulpit is one peice and so there is no rear gate.

Yours may be custom or modified.

Curtis

[Salty19]

Yes, it's custom.  Thought I would at least toss the idea out if you're inclined to modify it..

Here's a pic of the arrangement.

[curtisv]

Very nice.  I have a solar panel on the part that would get cut away.  I mount the barbeque grill on there when I need it.

I like the boarding ladder over the side but haven't found one that I would like to install and would be reasonably priced.

The existing ladder works for me.  Works for the Admiral.  Works great for the kids (now in their 20s).  Not viable for some older guests who might otherwise go for a swim with us.  A definite candidate for a better solution if I can figure out a better solution.

Thanks for the suggestion and the photo.  Beautiful boat you've got there.

Curtis