Ladder for Inflatables SIB

danilo · 30 June 2008, 16:46

Has anyone used one of these ladders and what do you think of them?

What would be the best way of securing it to the boat
1) would you bolt it to a wooden/alu floor and how ie. what spec bolt/plate would you use on 12mm ply floor?
2) would you attach it to the transom by using eye bolt or else and to which section of the transom?
Sorry, never seen one of them on a SIB so asking these questions.

Lugnut · 30 June 2008, 18:07

Quote:

Originally Posted by danilo

Has anyone used one of these ladders and what do you think of them?

What would be the best way of securing it to the boat
1) would you bolt it to a wooden/alu floor and how ie. what spec bolt/plate would you use on 12mm ply floor?
2) would you attach it to the transom by using eye bolt or else and to which section of the transom?
Sorry, never seen one of them on a SIB so asking these questions.

I have a similar unit on my RIB. I attach it to the grab handles. It works fine but the floppy nature is a bit awkward the first time you use it.

danilo · 30 June 2008, 22:12

Thanks Lugnut, would anyone recommend any other type of steps or should I not bother with this at all?
I was just a bit concerned about kids getting injured when claiming back onto the boat while afloat (if anything I guess it'll be me who will struggle with it not them).

spartacus · 01 July 2008, 00:02

Zodiac make a good set of steps. They have aluminium tread-plates, so are a little bit weighted. Can attach to the grab handle.

It's never going to be easy getting in a SIB or RIB from the water, although as a worst-case scenario - you can always step on the anti-cavitation plate on the outboard to gain access. I've done this on a Zodiac MkII and Zodiac Pro. Trying to gain access over the pontoons is next to impossible, unless you have someone on board who can haul your a** in!

Nick Hearne · 01 July 2008, 08:06

I have the smaller one of these, it works well!

http://www.compass24.com/watersports...l?ARTNR=117542

danilo · 01 July 2008, 08:51

Hi Nick, thanks I have seen pictures of Plastimo version of this ladder, how do you attach it securely to an inflatable with wooden floor?

Nick Hearne · 01 July 2008, 09:18

This would do the job!

Or this

http://www.seascrew.com/
online catalogue - Marine Hardware - Deck & Hull Fittings - Eye's, Pad , Lifting & Long Eye Bolts

danilo · 01 July 2008, 10:25

Nick, that's exactly what I had in my mind, thank you for the link!

jyasaki · 01 July 2008, 17:04

Non-rigid ladders are next to useless on SIBs or RIBs. They swing up under the boat as you put weight on them, and you spend your energy trying to stay out from underneath, rather than climbing up and over the tubes.

Haven't tried Nick's suggestion, though I've seen them advertised. It seems it would be better than a rope ladder (then again, it couldn't be much worse, I suppose...)

Someone needs to come up with something that braces a collapsible rigid ladder on the underside of the hull. Sounds easy enough

.

jky

PeterM · 01 July 2008, 22:06

Have used the plastimo ladder for a while & yes it swings under the hull , but once you know its going to do it you can stop it and climb up rather then swing under. I never leave the boat when at sea unless someone is in it in case anything goes wrong !

m chappelow · 02 July 2008, 19:03

when i used to dive a long time a go we used to use a single aluminium scaffolding pole with short rungs coming off ,with the middle rung being longer so it would press against the tube to stop the ladder twisting ,it was fastened to one tube it then it had a rope from the top going to the oppsite tube to stop it swinging under the boat we could use it with heavy commercial diving gear

Nick Hearne · 03 July 2008, 08:42

Quote:

Originally Posted by m chappelow

when i used to dive a long time a go we used to use a single aluminium scaffolding pole with short rungs coming off ,with the middle rung being longer so it would press against the tube to stop the ladder twisting ,it was fastened to one tube it then it had a rope from the top going to the oppsite tube to stop it swinging under the boat we could use it with heavy commercial diving gear

Sounds good, but a bit over the top on a 3M Sib!

m chappelow · 03 July 2008, 12:29

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nick Hearne

Sounds good, but a bit over the top on a 3M Sib!

i know what you mean but it could be made shorter and perhaps hook over the transom. mart.

danilo · 03 July 2008, 20:47

I will probably go for the aluminium one as suggested by Nick.
Where would be the best position to affix the eye plate and with what type of screws considering the fact the floor is ply 10/12mm thick? I am a bit worried that the plate might just came off under weight?

Lugnut · 03 July 2008, 22:07

Quote:

Originally Posted by danilo

I will probably go for the aluminium one as suggested by Nick.
Where would be the best position to affix the eye plate and with what type of screws considering the fact the floor is ply 10/12mm thick? I am a bit worried that the plate might just came off under weight?

m chapelow mentioned running a line from the top of the ladder to the hand rail on the opposite side. That sounds like the best course to me. No drilling, no buying extra hardware, easily used/removed.

danilo · 03 July 2008, 23:22

From the drilling point of view yes, but wouldn't the line be in the way then?

m chappelow · 03 July 2008, 23:41

Quote:

Originally Posted by danilo

I will probably go for the aluminium one as suggested by Nick.
Where would be the best position to affix the eye plate and with what type of screws considering the fact the floor is ply 10/12mm thick? I am a bit worried that the plate might just came off under weight?

it really needs a matching backing plate on the other side of the eye plate and bolted through, that way it wont pull out or even some broad washers ,i wouldent just use screws,

m chappelow · 05 July 2008, 13:52

heres a couple of sorry blurred pics from my sib eye bolts and backing plate.