Have you ever wondered how.

Silver Eagle

Master Chief Petty Officer
Joined
Mar 16, 2010
Messages
852
I was looking at a new boating catalog today and they have a ladder that fits under the front of a pontoon boat. it shows it opened and closed but it doesn't tell you how to open it and close it. If you want to close it how do you do it. Now if I'm in the boat what do I do.Is there something that hooks on the very front bottom that you pull to raise the ladder to slide it in the holder and how do you open it it to lower it into the water,.?I'd have to move my front bow anchor line just to put it down.
 

5150abf

Vice Admiral
Joined
Aug 12, 2007
Messages
5,808
Re: Have you ever wondered how.

It is a callapsing ladder that fits into a tray thing that is flush with the deck, it is held on by 2 bolts at the top that are in a slot that allows it to slide out and it has a cover so it is like a part of the deck when stowed, they are pretty cool.

I modified one to fit the back side board of my boat, we swim now and then and my fishing buddy lost is leg below the knee so it is alot easier on him than crawling up the engine.
 

Silver Eagle

Master Chief Petty Officer
Joined
Mar 16, 2010
Messages
852
Re: Have you ever wondered how.

OK .Now tell me how would to put the ladder into the water from the deck and if your about to leave how do you close it up. I can see how if someone is in the water, but what if you are on the deck.?Is there a pull rope hooked at the bottom to lift it out of the water?
 

lncoop

Vice Admiral
Joined
Apr 18, 2010
Messages
5,147
Re: Have you ever wondered how.

If it's the one I'm thinking of the ladder is mounted within a simple rail system. You deploy it either from the water or the deck simply by grabbing and sliding. To stow you do the same in the opposite direction. Very easily accomplished from either position. I had one on my very first barge and miss it powerful. Just don't forget to stow it before moving or things up front will get splashy.
 

Silver Eagle

Master Chief Petty Officer
Joined
Mar 16, 2010
Messages
852
Re: Have you ever wondered how.

You make it sound easy but if I'm on the deck ,how do I get the ladder off of the bottom .That's a long streach,Do I lay down on the deck and reach out?Seems like a lot of work to get the ladder up. Maybe I'll put a pull chain on the bottom leg.It looks like it would be hard to unhook the ladder from top side too.
 

lncoop

Vice Admiral
Joined
Apr 18, 2010
Messages
5,147
Re: Have you ever wondered how.

You make it sound easy but if I'm on the deck ,how do I get the ladder off of the bottom .That's a long streach,Do I lay down on the deck and reach out?Seems like a lot of work to get the ladder up. Maybe I'll put a pull chain on the bottom leg.It looks like it would be hard to unhook the ladder from top side too.

I make it sound easy 'cause it is.;) From the deck you just grab the closest rung and pull up and in and it slides right back into its cozy little home. At the worst you might have to drop to your knees if the bottom is buried in mud. Adding a pull chain would be reinventing the wheel. Remember though, I'm drawing on my own experience. The one I had may not be like the one you're considering. Why don't you throw up a link when you get a sec?
 

ralphl

Petty Officer 1st Class
Joined
Jun 2, 2010
Messages
223
Re: Have you ever wondered how.

I wrapped a strap around my last rung It is VERY EASY to pull out or in from the deck or the water. The strap also keeps it snug. Will try to get a pic tomorrow
 

Junkshow

Cadet
Joined
May 30, 2011
Messages
9
Re: Have you ever wondered how.

Would like to see photos, trying to get an idea how to modify this style for the dogs to use.
Thanks
 

Pontuned

Seaman Apprentice
Joined
May 28, 2009
Messages
47
Re: Have you ever wondered how.

You are WAAAAYYYYY overthinking this. It is as simple as reaching down, grabbing the closest piece of ladder and sliding it back in. I have this setup and it is the nuts.
 
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