Chrysler Sailors Forum

I needed a swim ladder to replace the cheap rickety plastic one that came with the boat, so I repurposed some salvaged mahogany from a bar top in North Myrtle Beach I remodeled. It's still under construction and should be on the boat next week. Sorry, I was unable to post the picture directly. Not smart enough, I guess.

https://www.flickr.com/photos/125581633 ... otostream/

https://www.flickr.com/photos/125581633 ... otostream/

Great start, looking good Greg.
I have the same project on my short to do list, even have the cardboard template made.
How are you planning on attaching it to the hull, or will it still be portable?
How wide are your steps?

I left them at 12" wide. They fit on the stern on the starboard side of the outboard. I was considering bolting them on, but it looks like they are stout enough to hold up with just the wood hooking over the gunnel. By leaving them loose, I can take them in out of the sun when not in use and maybe not have to varnish them every year.
I plan to have a line attached to them that can be tripped from the water in case I fall in.
While sailing in Pamlico Sound, it occurred to me that I probably could not climb back in the boat without a ladder should an accident happen. So this is a long overdue addition to the safety items on the boat. Thanks for the kind words. I try to make things the right way but don't obsess on form over function! After I hit 50, I started weighing time spent versus outcome on a lot of things!

All I have to say is suh-weet!

Very nice work. Fortunately, my c-20 came with a decent aluminum folder. But oh my, do I love a fine piece of woodwork on a boat.

Updated picture on the swim ladder. Ready for CPES and varnish. And varnish. And varnish...



Dang, I just can't get that picture on there!

Beautiful work. I noticed that you used Tite-Bond. Did you pin the rungs into the rails as well? You might consider some bronze countersink head screws to keep things from working apart. Tite-Bond is good, but sometimes not good enough and the bronze screws would not detract from the good looks.

The principle is leverage. A narrow ladder (narrower than your hips and shoulders) will twist more as your weight is balanced while climbing, putting lots of stress at the rail/rung joint, making it possible for the rails to sort of peel off the rungs.

Not an expert, but I've built a few boaty things in wood. Some of it still floats. Jus sayin'

Thanks for the kind words. Yes, I had thought about the leverage aspect. A narrow ladder like this puts a lot more stress on a joint than a wider one. I was thinking about either adding screws or some oak dowels into the end of the treads. I'm also a little bit concerned about the handholds in the treads weakening the structure, but we'll see.
Yes, I used Titebond. I recently read an amateur test, may have been Good Old Boat or Small Craft Advisor, where a gentleman compared the strength of several glues on tropical wood. In his (not scientific) comparison, the Titebond held together better than epoxy. I would have used Titebond III, but I didn't have any and was too impatient to wait until the next Lowes run. My thoughts were that it won't spend much time submerged and will be in the cabin when the boat is not in use.
Whatever the outcome, we'll see how it holds together this summer. If I have to make another one, I still have leftover bar top!

Better than epoxy???? hmmm...

Well, the Tite-Bond is a good glue for sure, but I'd still add screws. Dowels are a nice touch as well, but I prefer those for plugging screwhead holes that I don't want to show. Bronze, left open might be a lovely accent.

I doubt you will have much of a problem with the hand holds, but keep an eye on the hooks. Some screws there might also be worth it. Always pre-drill.

John

Yes, I predrill. I have been doing woodworking, machining, welding, and commercial construction for about 40 years now. I have quite a bit of experience in doing things the wrong way the first time...

Then I need say no more. A brother thou art, having known pain and anguish.

WOW! Those look great!
NICE JOB!



Scott

Very nice

Nice!

It's not you Greg, for some reason Flickr doesn't doesn't work at putting the pict in here for me either...