Stowaway ladder

[stevetedder]

Just wondering if anyone has used one of these type ladders? Good? Bad? Ugly?

seen it at the Overton's website Kind of expensive but thinking of making my own.

 

[lncoop]

Re: Stowaway ladder

I used to have a Sweetwater barge with one of those. It was very handy as long as we remembered to stow it before we took off. In fact, I miss the ladder and the barge.

 

[Pontuned]

Re: Stowaway ladder

I bought mine from Crone Marine Supply. I paid around 200 for it and it is a nice ladder, much better than lugging one around on the deck.

 

[stevetedder]

Re: Stowaway ladder

I talked to them,, nice guy named Jimmy, They also have the best price Ive found including on ebay. Ive got an old ladder here though and Im thinking of Trying to fashion my own. If it doesnt work out Im gonna order from them. I just cant figure out why this design hasnt become more popular. Thought there might have been a drawback that I wasnt catching.

 

[lncoop]

Re: Stowaway ladder

No drawback that I'm aware of except it can be easy to forget to stow it since it's kind of out of sight. I saw someone on the lake today almost forget they had theirs deployed. They remembered it right before I called it to their attention. As I said before, they really are nice to have.

 

[higabyte]

Re: Stowaway ladder

I've got one on my boat and it's quite handy. I actually removed the back ladder because this one was just so much easier to use. I do tend to forget to raise it from time to time because as someone said, it is out of sight, so easily overlooked, but i've had no issues with leaving it down other than a noticable drag at which time I think oh sh*t I forgot to raise the ladder and then proceed to stop and stow it.

 

[Jeep Man]

Re: Stowaway ladder

There's a factory model on our toon. We use it when swimming, but find the regular one at the rear easier to use.

 

[tgh3fan]

Re: Stowaway ladder

I concur with higabyte. There is an Oh S%^t factor until you get used to it, but a great addition to our toon. Money well spent. Enjoy tgh3fan

 

[stevetedder]

Re: Stowaway ladder

Ok so Im cheap. I made my own, and after a few trips out and a few adjustments it works pretty well. I made it from steel studs an old aluminum ladder that was bent at the top,some all-thread, L Braceing,a small piece of 1/32 steel plateand a few nuts and bolts. Took a little tinkering to get it right but end result looks decent and it saved me around $200

 

[Jeep Man]

Re: Stowaway ladder

Ok so Im cheap. I made my own, and after a few trips out and a few adjustments it works pretty well. I made it from steel studs an old aluminum ladder that was bent at the top,some all-thread, L Braceing,a small piece of 1/32 steel plateand a few nuts and bolts. Took a little tinkering to get it right but end result looks decent and it saved me around $200

Steel????? Shouldn't that be aluminum?

 

[stevetedder]

Re: Stowaway ladder

I thought that at first but the whole thing all together might weigh 30 lbs and the steel pieces are what support weight and link to the bow of the boat.

 

[weltiro]

Re: Stowaway ladder

Hey, I was thinking of doing that too ('cause I'm cheap). I have an old bent ladder I can use. Could you send me a pic showing how it hangs when it is deployed? When you get on the ladder can it swing back and forth in the water, and if so does it make it difficult to get on and off? Thanks.

 

[stevetedder]

Re: Stowaway ladder

Ive posted a few with it stowed but it cant be let down while on the trailer. Should be getting out again within a week, can get a better one then.Pic 3 shows how it hangs from the deck bracing.The ladder pivots on a piece of all thread (pic #2) and binds top and bottom of the ladder once it reaches a certain point(pic#1)Also in pic 1 at the front of the bow you can see 2 bolts going through the front. these and two on bottom are what support the weight on the ladder, I did have to adjust and re-adjust a few times to get it all just right.
A hint:the ladder does not have to fit "tight" between the metal channels as long as the bow end is higher than the stern end, and the all thread is long enough. I used more L brackets at the back to prevent it from sliding out to the rear.
But No it only goes so far back when it pivots before it catches on a cross beam. Its not real pretty but it does work.
Hope this helps.

 

[weltiro]

Re: Stowaway ladder

Steve:
Thanks a lot for taking the time to provide the pics, etc.. I really appreciate it. It doesn't look bad at all, and of course, in most cases beauty follows function. In any case the whole thing is hidden under the boat. Seems like the best scenario for a ladder. The pics gives me some ideas.

I have a 2001 22' Sweetwater with a 90 hp Honda. Just got it in May. I have some issues with a leaking tube (getting welded now). On the first test run, with a lot of water in the port tube, and four adults, the thing cruised along at about 22-25 mph. I was really impressed with the 90hp. I hope to get it up to 30mph or so with clean tubes. I had a 17' Sunbird bowrider with a 115 Johnson. That thing would fly, but the pontoon is so comfortable and it cuts right thru the wakes. We're very happy with it. Run it on Smith Mt Lake in Va.

I'll let you know how my ladder works out.
Ross