Inexpensive swim ladder you can make at home and stow away easy...

[Freedumb]

I made this swim ladder while out in the shop just the other day. It is made from 2x4's that I sanded down and varnished along with my cp16's other wood. I was looking at all the pictures on this site of folks and their boats and many of them have swim ladders. I decided Ophelia needed one of her own. I cut the boards at varying lengths to give the ladder a graduated effect. Then, one inch from each end of the 2x4 rungs, I drilled a 3/8" hole with a spade bit through which I would later slide a line. After varnishing the rungs (which may prove to be a bit slickery when wet but we'll see) I cut some 1/4 " line and tied a knot in the top that would not tighten up, this provides a loop that can be thrown over a horn cleat at the stern on either side of the boat. After that I slid the ends of the line through the holes on the top rung and tied a figure eight knot in the line below so it could not slide downward. This also acts to support the weight of the boarding swimmer. I repeated the process for the next two rungs making sure that all of the rungs were as close to equally spaced and as level as I could get them. I haven't used it on the water yet, but I have climbed in and out of the boat whilst she's on the trailer. I'm about 175lbs. and after the knots got nice and tight there was no give at all in the ladder. Not the most complicated thing in the world but pretty functional, and with a little time, and the scraps you probably already have laying around, you can build one of your very own. Plus no holes in the hull! Let me know what you think, or of any variations you might make to improve it.

http://com-pacowners.com/gallery2/displayimage.php?album=random&cat=12648&pos=-1021
http://com-pacowners.com/gallery2/displayimage.php?album=119&pos=1

I just thought I'd share,
Aaron aboard Ophelia

[Salty19]

Very cool.  I'm making one now.   I'm using 1 x4's with additional support under the areas where the knots are located.  Made of pine, I routed the edges smooth, glued and screwed the supports in place, stained it Island Coral, epoxied the holes, and am now varnishing it with Minwax Helmsman Spar.

Shaped like this, except there the top surface is flat.

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I didn't think 3 steps was enough, so I'm going for 5 total steps, plus a steel bucket handle for the very bottom (to provide some non-floating mass to sink the bottom step) which will be attached with clamps.

Your design is probably stronger, but I'm only 200lbs, wife about 130, so it should be strong enough.

THANK YOU for the fantastic idea!!!  When I'm finished, I'll post a link here too..

[Timwp]

Just curious as to if you ever got finished. I just bought a com-pac 16 not too long ago. I am interested in this design, I'm too broke right now to purchase a factory swim ladder. I also noticed the other day with the kids in swimming that it is virtually impossible to get on board (in the water) without one.

[Salty19]

Hi Tim,

Yes, I made mine but when I tested it, it simply was too difficult to use.  I'm young and in good shape too! What would happen is the ladder would sway inward (forward away from you as you would stand on the first step) under the boat.  This made it really tough to climb aboard as your body position was not vertical, but rather about a 45 degree slant with your feet under the boat.

So I ditched that idea and put a Garelick two step fixed transom mount ladder on ($100).  Credit given to Doug142 for this idea. Works great! 

Also, if you do ever fall off the boat, the fixed ladder will be waiting for you upon rescue. The non-fixed ladders would almost certainly be in the cabin!