Removable ladder for 18' starcraft?

[ctswf]

Hi everyone!

​​
Anyone know of a good removable ladder and/or swim platform to fit on these 18' aluminum starcraft w OB motor? I like to fish off the back without obstruction so remove/store/install for swimming while on the water is needed.

I restored a starcraft 1969 18' offshore V with single evinrude OB, as some of you may remember.

After 15 years of boating/fishing without ever swimming I finally jumped in yesterday. Swam in the sun, caught fish at the same time. It was amazing.

My wife followed, and I explained to get back in you simply put one hand on the transom, one bare foot above the prop, one hand on the motor cowling, position your face on that greasy steering rod. From there you pull yourself up like a gymnast and lay across all the sharp metal edges i never sanded down. Next, while avoiding the wires and two transducers in your gut you pull up and on to the splash well, but don't step on it, I'm not sure it will hold a human. From here you navigate past the fishing rods and simply step on to the floor...but don't step right there, thats where my large knife and murdered bait fish are on the floor. Hey look our genitals are on the fish finder screen!

​​​​​​...anyway, instead of our 10 hour conversation, i'm going to paraphrase a bit,.. she said I need a ladder now.

 

[GA_Boater]

Given the size of Starcraft splashwells, a bare foot slipping on the lower unit with a sharpish prop below and lack of dexterity, I use a over the gunnel ladder.

First I made one of these, but I ended up hanging off of it with my feet under the boat, too floppy;

I then got a hook ladder. The feet keep the ladder straight and it all folds up. The only bad thing is taking off with it still hanging on the side.

 

[ctswf]

I hadn't thought about that option. So you just hook that on the side and climb right in? No problem with the boat tipping?

 

[ctswf]

Given the size of Starcraft splashwells, a bare foot slipping on the lower unit with a sharpish prop below and lack of dexterity, I use a over the gunnel ladder.

First I made one of these, but I ended up hanging off of it with my feet under the boat, too floppy;

I then got a hook ladder. The feet keep the ladder straight and it all folds up. The only bad thing is taking off with it still hanging on the side.

Hey GA_Boater, do you recall if your ladder is 36" or 48" ?

your stock picture looks like the larger 48"

I'm trying to get something before the weekend, and looks like all im seeing is 36", my gunwale sits pretty high out of the water i'm thinking 48" is minimum buts its hard to tell

 

[Scott Danforth]

I would also recommend the hook ladder or an aft swim platform with ladder (one on each side of the outboard)

here is an iboats link

https://www.iboats.com/shop/anchor-and-dock/ladders-steps-and-platforms/boat-swim-platforms.html

here is a google search https://www.google.com/search?clien...hUKEwiwqpv92ZjqAhUOd98KHWw9AZcQ4dUDCAs&uact=5

 

[ctswf]

Ok so I just had this delivered today. (pictures attached)
JIF Removable Telescoping Pontoon Ladder, 4 step, 51" tall.


Once extended, its very floppy and doesn't "feel" strong at all, I certainly could be wrong though, as its rated at 400lbs.
It also needs stand offs and there are none included.

I'm wondering if anyone has input on:

1) Are loose slop and wobbliness between poles just how these telescoping ladders always are?
2) Are these kinds of hook setups really practical without a swim platform? I'm getting skeptical, but sounds like you guys above already say yes.
3) what do you think of the standoff idea pictured below


Here is the ladder hanging on my boat.

The second picture shows a screwdriver where i'm thinking of making some kind of standoff, I'm not sure if this location will put a beating on the Chine, there have been past discussions about chines cracking on these boats. I might make the standoff some form of plate that hugs the chine and side i'm not sure yet.

I do not have a local store to compare products, only the internet.

 

[classiccat]

zero experience w/ these ladders and also interested in one for my SS. So opcorn:

Correct me if I'm wrong but wouldn't the side rubrail be a good place to put standoffs?

EDIT: Where the spray rail joins with the upper portion of the side looks like a good spot as well...more stable there too.

 

[ctswf]

As you can imagine, the ladder wants to kick in when stepped on, on my boat at least, the whole side is a bit floppy. The rub rail location is a bit of a trampoline, doesn't really have any support for that much horizontal pressure.

What is the spray rail again?

Small update, I realized the designed mounting is not a pirate hook style , but rather to mount receiver plates on the top. Feels much more functional spaced off this way and doesn't need a swim platform.

Still figuring out the best standoff situation to remain portable but stable, and seems like that bottom chine is the only solid part. Also, with the floppiness of this thing, the higher the standoff is, the more the bottom wrungs just feel like a stiff rope ladder trying to kick in. Thinking of it now, If it were a tighter telescoping fit with no slop in it, the saltwater would prob seize this thing up quick. Thus the rope ladder feel of this thing.

...I guess its been a while I cant figure out how to insert my image

edit: another option is off the front, there is backing support if standoffs hit the seat level.

 

[ski2rule]

I went with a swim platform last year and am very happy with it.

 

[ctswf]

I was worried about transom fishing space and having my wife climb over the splash well, but your setup w the simple board in front and cushion makes it look very doable. However, I bought this hook ladder so I'm kinda stuck w it. Updates coming soon... Had to sneak some night boating in before finishing.

Ski2rule you have some serious grandma's house / George Jetson boats! pure vintage mint green over at your place! I love it. What lakes do you go to?

 

[GA_Boater]

I just grabbed a pic that came up with four steps and feet. I looked at the collapsing style and thought it was just as floppy as my homemade jobber I had such high hopes for.

classiccat The feet on the one I got hit at the spray rail and is solid when hung over the side.

 

[ski2rule]

Howdy ctswf. We are in south east British Columbia on the koocanusa reservoir. Formed when the kootenay river was dammed in Libby Montana in 1973. Yeah, I have a few too many old aluminum boats in the yard...

 

[ctswf]

Looks like a nice place to boat, when clicked on your name I saw NY city so i thought you might not be too far from me, CT usa.


Update:

OK so not sure I'd do this again, but I slapped something together with some scrap aluminum from the garage, stainless piano hinge, stainless bolts, and a trip to home depot.

https://imgur.com/a/QxS2zHM

The bracket itself Hinges up to keep the fold up storage functional. That one swiveling arm locks in with a single lock pin. It's only function is to keep the bracket at the appropriate angle when in use.

Maybe needs some rubber to grip the chine.

Otherwise it seems functional. The frame overall holds me bouncing up and down, I'm 190lbs. Unfortunately the plastic ladder steps have some bend to them. unit itself is rated at 400lbs, which is a joke. I feel like I'm maxing out the steps with my 190lbs. The direct sun seems to bend them even more.

Overall the design is OK but I would rather a different brand ladder.

Next step splash test

 

[ctswf]

"Boat ladder standoffs" are a product and seemed easier, simple hinge out feet like GA_boaters photo. Unfortunately I needed 13" standout and I couldn't find such an item, and for this particular ladder it definitely needed support down low

 

[bchaney]

I like that design - it seems more robust to have the support resting on a chine than on the 2 legs you see on the universal ladders. I considered getting one of those but figured the legs would dent the aluminum. Nicely done.

 

[ctswf]

Thanks

Behind this ladder location, that vertical "support" piece next to that shelf area is made of 1x4 azak. So in my case the chine is definitely the the only strong support here.

Seems pretty solid, theres definitely a tremendous amount of horizontal pressure hitting the chine

 

[classiccat]

Now that looks sturdy! Does something get installed topside to keep the "upside-down-J's" from kicking out? ...or does the rubrail trim handle that?

I would probably add a cross-member across the aluminum square to prevent side-to-side movement.

 

[GA_Boater]

The ladder I got hooks over the gunnel, not sitting on top as CT's is. The hooks are isolated from tin by the rub rail outside and the smaller rub rail inside. It ain't going anywhere.

There is a lot of pressure when pulling up onto the ladder and I think CT is going to need some cups on top of the gunnel or the ladder will slip off the gunnel. Just my thoughts.

 

[ctswf]

I forgot to take a Pic of that. This is the system the ladder came with. The top of the ladder slides in to these small plates and holds well.

These small plates came with tiny screws, what a hazard that would be! They fit #8 bolts, I drilled them a little larger to fit #10 bolts, that's the max shaft the plate can fit unfortunately.

I through bolted with washers and a custom plate underneath. With the plate there will be no pulling or bending of the boat metal. All the strength is on the 2 back #10 SS bolts. I'm not thrilled about that but seems OK.

So the latter slides in to these key holes and the climbing weight keeps it pulled in the slot...however it's not party bouncing / drunk proof so I need to find a way to lock it in so you can't shake it out of the slot. Also since the ladder will be somewhat in the water, buoyancy, rocking could push it loose when not in use. Haven't figured out a locking mechanism yet. Suggestions welcome.


Unrelated: I first came here 7 years ago and redid this boat, you can see in the pic she's got some battle scars now!

 

[GA_Boater]

I think the slotted receiver will work OK, CT. And solves my last question.

Battles scars? Those aren't battle scars when the boat is used the way she should. We call that patina. :smile: