Opinions on ladder placement on swim platform

[JackBronson]

I just added a swim platform to my 1987 Starcraft fiberglass bow rider. I ordered a 4 step collapsible ladder online which arrived today. The issue now is where to mount the ladder. I'm looking for opinions.
Here are the considerations.
1. the mounting supports are long, so the holes are actually much further inboard than I had anticipated. This means the ladder will have to hang off the boat further.
2. we do tubing off the boat, and the ski pylon is mounted pretty low, so I'm fairly sure the rope will end up getting snagged on the ladder. I will say that the rope of up off the platform when tubing, although I haven't studied the situation intently during tubing because I'm watching the road!
Photos for consideration:
note the stout supports. the screw mounting holes are a few inches from the actual ladder.

note the location of the ski pylon below

This is a candidate location for the ladder, but I really think the tube rope will get hung up on the ladder.

I was thinking I could attach the ladder to the side of the platform. The side of the platform is an angle, so it might look kind of weird.


so, what do people think?

 

[jbcurt00]

Re: Opinions on ladder placement on swim platform

Would a ski rope float prevent getting hung up on the ladder?

I think the rope passes thru the center of the 24" float and the strap on the float is just to keep the float up next to the ski tow eye.

 

[xanthras]

Re: Opinions on ladder placement on swim platform

I have an 1990 StarCraft heritage 1901 and am trying to figure out how a swim platform would work. I agree with the float for the rope. I would keep the ladder off the back. Any way you could post a full shoo of the boat with that platform on? also? where did you get that, looks great.

 

[JackBronson]

Re: Opinions on ladder placement on swim platform

JBcurt, that has potential although I could see it still getting snagged on the ladder supports and probably getting ripped up over time. I'm going to see if I can find one in a store that I can look at, because of course I'm going to a lake house tomorrow for four days of watersports so buying online ain't gonna work time-wise.

Xanthras, I have been debating starting a new thread showing the before and after for the project in case it would benefit anyone. Think I will right now. Look for the thread in this same forum.

Anyone else want to chime in on where to put the ladder?

 

[jbcurt00]

Re: Opinions on ladder placement on swim platform

To gain a ladder, I'd probably be willing to buy a new $25 float every season if the nylon sleeve got tattered. It won't snag like a solo rope would..

 

[Bayou Dave]

Re: Opinions on ladder placement on swim platform

This is where I have my ladder. Haven't had any problem with tow rope getting caught in it.

 

[JackBronson]

Re: Opinions on ladder placement on swim platform

DRS - thanks for the reply with the photos. is your ladder through bolted to the platform, or is it screwed into the wood?

 

[Bayou Dave]

Re: Opinions on ladder placement on swim platform

Jack. It is through bolted on the platform. The original was that way and you can still see where the original holes are. The new ladder holes didn't match up with the old ones. The ladder sits far enough to port that it is out of the way of the tow rope and outdrive. I make sure the ladder is stored up when not in use.

 

[JackBronson]

Re: Opinions on ladder placement on swim platform

the other challenge I am facing is that if I mount it in the traditional spot, it has to hang pretty far out in order for me to have both holes lined up with wood (1.5"; see photo). And one of the mounts will be into a 3/4" piece of teak (the other will line up with a section that is "double thick" that the platform is mounted to the boat with). I am concerned that in through bolting the furthest outboard piece it may twist under the weight of people climbing the ladder. this is why I am considering mounting it on the port side end of the platform - I can get more wood to mount to.

 

[Bayou Dave]

Re: Opinions on ladder placement on swim platform

I see what you are talking about. My boards are not as wide as yours are. The right bolts on mine go through double thickness, the left bolts go through single thickness. The inner and outer bolts are on seperate boards in my case. My original ladder only went into single thickness for all 4 bolts. Could you attach another short board under the platform, perpendicular to the existing boards to give the outer board more strength? Sort of like this:

 

[Bayou Dave]

Re: Opinions on ladder placement on swim platform

Jack... what part of Mass are you from? I am originally from Gloucester. Dave

 

[JackBronson]

Re: Opinions on ladder placement on swim platform

Dave,
I am originally from Salem. Sailing out of Danvers now.

I went ahead and mounted the ladder to the side. I'll post a photo and final details later. gotta run.

 

[JackBronson]

Re: Opinions on ladder placement on swim platform

To close the loop in this thread, I ended up hanging the ladder off the side of the swim platform. The end of the platform is much sturdier as there is more under platform wood support, and of course the grain of the wood runs that way.
Had to put some blocking underneath to add support.

Had the boat on a lake this week, with 4 kids swimming, skiing and tubing. What an improvement. Best modification to the boat, hands down.