Boarding Ladder: Opinions or Ideas

[racclarkson@gmail.com]

I was fortunate to acquire a very nice 13' tender from a member of this forum. Launching the tender is no problem; once lowered, I can trip the hook and line the boat back to the cockpit.

My difficulty is bringing her (or me) back aboard. Being a convertible, Aslan's davit is on the foredeck with an impressive freeboard. I am prevented from hooking-up from the cockpit by the amount of cable available--can't add more. Boarding Aslan from the tender, as a one person operation, is close to impossible in calm water. If I throw a leg up, I'd be throwing it right up against the house--ouch!



Up until now, I've just put a loop in a line at the aft most cleat shown, dropped a line from the flybridge hand railing and climbed up. Obviously, that's precarious and not a good plan for admirals and various other geriatric dignitaries. Last weekend, I forgot the hand line, and I was by myself.

Recently, I made a ladder to access my salon's fwd air handler and storage space. It's 7'-4" from the floor to the opening. Man, that was a great move!



I'm thinking of using it, or probably making another one, with a line (proposed as shown) that I could loop over a cleat. I would still need a line from the flybridge handrail for boarding at the after cleat. Using the more forward cleat might also work. There is not much hull flair at that point, plus the railing is there.

So, I think you can see the problem. I don't much care to reinvent the tire if someone out there in Hatterasville has already solved it for me.

 

[Photolomy]

My boat came with a sea ladder, like this marquipt design ...

http://pdf.nauticexpo.com/pdf/mar-quipt/sea-ladder/26970-45511.html

The ladder can connect to port or starboard sides via brackets mounted at the edge of the deck.

When I first saw the ladder, I didn't imagine that it would be of any use, but when we connect it to the brackets (with pins) and extend the flip out pole at the bottom to press against the hull, it is surprisingly stable. I like it better than stairs even, unless I am trying to carry something.

You can get the brackets/pins and incorporate the same design in your ladder, and the pole at the bottom doesn't have to be elaborate, nor especially strong. Most of the force is downward, against the deck.

I can take a picture of it later if you wish.

 

[KPTIM]

I have the Marquipt Sea Ladder mentioned here and use it more than the Marquipt Gangplank ladder when traveling.

 

[doc g]

What about a block and tackle or pulley system that you could attach between the cable and the little boat. Use the swim platform (Does the Hatt have one ? ?? ) to get on and off. Pull the pulley system tight to move the dinghy forward into lifting position. Likewise you could stand on the side deck and let the dinghy down via pulley system on launch. .... Pat

 

[racclarkson@gmail.com]

My boat came with a sea ladder, like this marquipt design ...

http://pdf.nauticexpo.com/pdf/mar-quipt/sea-ladder/26970-45511.html

The ladder can connect to port or starboard sides via brackets mounted at the edge of the deck.

When I first saw the ladder, I didn't imagine that it would be of any use, but when we connect it to the brackets (with pins) and extend the flip out pole at the bottom to press against the hull, it is surprisingly stable. I like it better than stairs even, unless I am trying to carry something.

You can get the brackets/pins and incorporate the same design in your ladder, and the pole at the bottom doesn't have to be elaborate, nor especially strong. Most of the force is downward, against the deck.

I can take a picture of it later if you wish.

Thanks. They make good stuff.

I think the issue with this is that the deck is rising as you move forward. Unless one leg of the ladder was longer than the other the ladder would be canted. But it did give me some ideas. Thanks again.

 

[Avenger]

Would it be possible to set up a way to hold the bridle, ring (or whatever you use to attach the hook) up on a pole and either a clip or a pocket on the hook so that you could use to a boathook to guide the hook to the ring from the deck? Seems it would be easier to reverse the launching procedure than to add ladders and other things to store or fall off of.

I don't know if that description makes it clear, but it makes sense in my head.

 

[racclarkson@gmail.com]

Would it be possible to set up a way to hold the bridle, ring (or whatever you use to attach the hook) up on a pole and either a clip or a pocket on the hook so that you could use to a boathook to guide the hook to the ring from the deck? Seems it would be easier to reverse the launching procedure than to add ladders and other things to store or fall off of.

I don't know if that description makes it clear, but it makes sense in my head.

I follow.

I'm using a swivel snap shackle so I can trip release the bridle after tender is in the water and a line attached. It would be impossible to remotely engage and latch it back on recovery. I could use an open hook, and maybe snag the bridle. Aside from giving up the security of a locked shackle, I think trying to hold up a bridle on the end of a boat hook with one hand and trying to snag it with the other might be more than one person could handle even on a slic-cam (Charlestonism for slick calm) day.

If I do a ladder, it'll be small enough to fit under the cover in the tender. But I do take seriously your concerns about falling. Thanks for the input.

 

[MadHatter53]

How about this, drop the dingy in pull it to your swim platform and board it there. When your done reverse the process.

 

[racclarkson@gmail.com]

How about this, drop the dingy in pull it to your swim platform and board it there. When your done reverse the process.

Thanks, but I think you overlooked some of what I said. I don't have enough cable or ability to add more to accomplish what you suggest.

 

[Avenger]

I had a somewhat rigid mount for the bridle in mind, like a stick in a rod holder or similar that would hold it up for you to reach so you wouldn't have to try to juggle the two things. Obviously you're closer to it than I am, so I'll defer to your judgement.

 

[racclarkson@gmail.com]

I had a somewhat rigid mount for the bridle in mind, like a stick in a rod holder or similar that would hold it up for you to reach so you wouldn't have to try to juggle the two things. Obviously you're closer to it than I am, so I'll defer to your judgement.

Yep, it's not so easy with waves and wakes. Who wants to buy a 55C?

 

[MadHatter53]

So you can launch easy enough but hooking back up to retrieve is the problem. I wouldn't want to trying to climb a ladder in anytype of wind while anchored. They have a setup for mooring balls so maybe retrofit your setup. I'll try to find a link. You could also upgrade to a heavier setup with remote controll so you could launch and retrieve from the tender.

 

[scottinsydney]

Google Handy Duck. Or watch this... https://youtu.be/RWFKhqrPwG8


We adapted the Handy Duck for launching and retrieving our dinghy from our previous convertible boat.

This is a wonderful device that fits at the end of a pole and allows you to place its 1/2 ton rated hook onto the dinghy's internal lifting brace.

Exit your dinghy at the swimming platform. Walk the dinghy up the side of the boat to under the davit. Attach then lower the Handy Duck and davit hook together. Use the pole to easily attach the Handy Duck to the dinghy's brace. Separate the Handy Duck and the pole with one jig on the pole. The dinghy is then connected to the davit and can be winched aboard.

The opposite is done to launch the boat... The pole mechanism is used to release the handy duck from the dinghy's brace and you can then walk the boat down the side to the swim platform.

We used this system for 12 years before buying the Hatteras. Highly recommended.

 

[brico]

I was fortunate to acquire a very nice 13' tender from a member of this forum. Launching the tender is no problem; once lowered, I can trip the hook and line the boat back to the cockpit.

My difficulty is bringing her (or me) back aboard. Being a convertible, Aslan's davit is on the foredeck with an impressive freeboard. I am prevented from hooking-up from the cockpit by the amount of cable available--can't add more. Boarding Aslan from the tender, as a one person operation, is close to impossible in calm water. If I throw a leg up, I'd be throwing it right up against the house--ouch!

View attachment 29204

Up until now, I've just put a loop in a line at the aft most cleat shown, dropped a line from the flybridge hand railing and climbed up. Obviously, that's precarious and not a good plan for admirals and various other geriatric dignitaries. Last weekend, I forgot the hand line, and I was by myself.

Recently, I made a ladder to access my salon's fwd air handler and storage space. It's 7'-4" from the floor to the opening. Man, that was a great move!

View attachment 29205

I'm thinking of using it, or probably making another one, with a line (proposed as shown) that I could loop over a cleat. I would still need a line from the flybridge handrail for boarding at the after cleat. Using the more forward cleat might also work. There is not much hull flair at that point, plus the railing is there.

So, I think you can see the problem. I don't much care to reinvent the tire if someone out there in Hatterasville has already solved it for me.

Hi Robert,

I am not clear on what securing/lifting/lowering/unhooking arrangement you have in place, but if you are able to lower the boat to the water and " trip the hook and line the boat back to the cockpit." then you can look at an arrangement to make the lifting bridle ring or whatever you are using to hook/unhook the boat from the fore deck such that you can hook it from the deck level and lift the tender with your davit arrangement. Perhaps some sort of temporary rig on the tender onto which you can hang the lifting bridle ring and be able to hook the ring with the hoisting cable end from the fore deck. Boarding by ladders at that location is asking for trouble. Swim grid platform is for boarding disembarking the tender.

 

[whoover]

Hello Mr. Clarkson,

Have you looked into replacing the line on your davit winch with a braided nylon material of a smaller diameter but with the same or greater breaking strength as the line that is on it now. This would allow you to install more line to reach the cockpit. There is a product called Dynema that I have used to make winch lines for ATVs . It's easy to splice and won't get all cork screwy like aircraft cable which I personally dislike.

Walt Hoover

You just mentioned selling again so you grabbed my attention.

 

[racclarkson@gmail.com]

Google Handy Duck. Or watch this... https://youtu.be/RWFKhqrPwG8


We adapted the Handy Duck for launching and retrieving our dinghy from our previous convertible boat.

This is a wonderful device that fits at the end of a pole and allows you to place its 1/2 ton rated hook onto the dinghy's internal lifting brace.

Exit your dinghy at the swimming platform. Walk the dinghy up the side of the boat to under the davit. Attach then lower the Handy Duck and davit hook together. Use the pole to easily attach the Handy Duck to the dinghy's brace. Separate the Handy Duck and the pole with one jig on the pole. The dinghy is then connected to the davit and can be winched aboard.

The opposite is done to launch the boat... The pole mechanism is used to release the handy duck from the dinghy's brace and you can then walk the boat down the side to the swim platform.

We used this system for 12 years before buying the Hatteras. Highly recommended.

G'day, Scott!

Thanks for sharing. I've heard of the quick release hook, but not considered it in this application. It looks as if I could replace my snap shackle with one of those or even just add on for simplicity.

The problem then becomes grabbing the lifting bridle--sort of like pushing a rope. Brico's suggestion of hanging the bridle on a hook has merit. I think that's where Avenger was leading me. I guess you could do a double Handy Duck if you wanted with one on the tender holding the bridle.


This looks a likely spot to stage a bridle for hook-up.

Walt, thanks for your idea. I spoke with Quick Lift and they said that's a no go. BTW, they have excellent customer service. And for God's sake, stop calling me Mr. Clarkson.

Re: a related post...I have enough davit to more than do the job, and I have remote control. I also have, at least I hope, enough sense to follow ever davit maker in this class when they caution against riding the hook up. Not that I've never ridden a hook...just not doing that anymore.

 

[scottinsydney]

Ron

The Dinghy brace has either 3 or 4 wires going to a central big stainless loop or big shackle.

It’s easy to get the Handy Duck hook to attach to it, even from up on the front deck. Takes all of two seconds to attach.

What may not have been clear in my earlier post is that you use the dinghy’s painter rope to walk the dinghy fore and aft.