Boarding ladder - DIY style

[simzpilot]

When you enjoy swimming or pulling towables from your SIB then probably like me you have struggled, or watched someone else struggle, to get back into the SIB especially when tired.

I decided to DIY a fix with a 2” cargo strap and some pieces of Teak. Simple but effective and I can get back into my SIB single-handed now. Might come in handy some day if I fall out.....(IF, LOL)

[willk]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GQuIJ3D5Kcc

[spartacus]

Good job.

It's surprisingly difficult to get back in a RIB or SIB when you're in the water. I've used a knotted rope before, then a rope with a fixed foot loop, then a few years ago bought a second hand genuine Zodiac ladder, and no I didn't have to remortgage the house!

Another useful way to get back onboard is simply to stand on the anti cavitation plate on the outboard and come in over the transom.

[spartacus]

Willk that video has done more rounds than Henry Cooper!

Check this out. Fine in Florida, but the North Sea or Atlantic... he'd be lucky to come out of the water with his flip flops still on!

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=QPkuwZMg0Io

[simonl]

Originally Posted by spartacus

Willk that video has done more rounds than Henry Cooper!
Check this out.

No thanks - prefer the totty version!

[paintman]

That's a cracking DIY job.

It's difficult to get back into any boat, esp if you're clothed and after the physical shock of an unexpected dunking into cold water.

You may recall 'The Fisherman's Apprentice' a few years ago in which Monty Halls jumped in to see what would happen. Something of a struggle & IIRC he said that two or three attempts would be about as much as he could manage. Bear in mind that he's a former RM & a diver so his fitness level is going to be pretty good.

Rope ladders with or without hard rungs tend to swing under the boat as you put weight on them.

My dory has low guardrails both sides on the rear half of the boat which makes the side higher.

I have a permatrim on the outboard cavitation plate and that makes a great step when you know it's there.

Having watched a RN winchman climb into mine over the stern and seen the effort involved - he didnt know the permatrim was there, the noise of the helicopter made speech impossible & hand signals weren't understood - I bought & fitted a folding ladder just in case I go for an impromptu swim.
Force 4 3 Step Boarding Ladder - 1 Fixed/2 Folding | Force 4 Chandlery
Has been tried & tested & it works.

Appreciate transom space is going to be more of an issue with smaller ribs but well worth looking into some sort of device capable of deployment by one person from in the water as a 'just-in-case'.

[Xk59D]

Can always hold onto the engine and trim it up if you have power trim to help. Worst case it should get you clear of the water in emergency.

[Maximus]

Originally Posted by Xk59D

Can always hold onto the engine and trim it up if you have power trim to help. Worst case it should get you clear of the water in emergency.

On a larger Rib (and engine) it's not too hard to get back aboard via i.e standing on the Cav Plate..and stretching over the Transum (if the engine is in the down position)
....I'm not sure if I'd like to be slippy/Wet on a moving Boat and trust the Hydraulics though

[Maximus]

Doubler

[Xk59D]

Originally Posted by Maximus

On a larger Rib (and engine) it's not too hard to get back aboard via i.e standing on the Cav Plate..and stretching over the Transum (if the engine is in the down position)
....I'm not sure if I'd like to be slippy/Wet on a moving Boat and trust the Hydraulics though

If you are stupid enough to hold onto the motor while it is going then getting wet won't be your primary issue I suspect

[Maximus]

Originally Posted by Xk59D

If you are stupid enough to hold onto the motor while it is going then getting wet won't be your primary issue I suspect

No argument with that..

[GuyC]

It's a good idea but I imagine that the treads will float which may make it a bit more difficult.

I stand on the cavitation plate on my RIB but is is a sterndrive so it is pretty easy.

I have made it over the tubes but it is an ugly and inelegant spectacle.

[simzpilot]

Great feedback, thanks everyone. The one I made has been tried and tested for some time now and it works really well. I had initially assumed it would go under as you tried to board but found it did not in fact, probably as you can use the 'A' frame for support as you climb out. Happy that I can easily get my not-so-small frame out of the water when I need to without bursting a gut.

[Duggy]

Originally Posted by willk

Was thinking of getting/making as boarding ladder but having come across the lass I think I may give it ago!!

[tonymac]

Originally Posted by willk

Love it - and her[emoji23]

[Andrest]

I have got this one. It is really easy to get into the zodiac.