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Author Topic:   Ladders

Mojo posted 02-01-2003 07:19 AM ET (US)
I own a BW Outrage 24 (1996), and am trying to design a strong stainless steel ladder for the side of the boat, primarily used for diving.
I prefer the fish bone design ladder but am having difficulty in configuring a mounting for the ladder on the side of the boat, since the mounting has to hold the weight of a fully equipped diver. There is no room near the transom as I have twin engines mounted.
Anybody have any suggestions in reinforcing the side of the boat where the ladder will mount?
j_h_nimrod posted 02-02-2003 12:10 AM ET (US)
Mojo, I would reccomend aluminum because it is much lighter, cheaper, more easily worked, and easier to weld. I have used one on a non-Whaler that is hinged at the top and has a wide padded "foot" that rests against the hull. The ladder can be pivoted up so that running around between dives does not take a lot of time. Most of the force is straight down and there is minimal pressure against the hull. If you are worried about the side of the boat cracking then move the "foot" down to the edge of the chine where the lateral strength is strongest. 1-1/2" thin wall pipe is more then adequate for any weight you will put on it.
triblet posted 02-02-2003 09:04 PM ET (US)
Don't design it, buy it. There are lots of
sources for ladders like this.
Why the need for the fish bone? Can't your
divers take their fins and BC off in the water?
You really don't want fully loaded divers
waddling around on your boat, and slamming
their tank into the console when they turn
around. And it's really hard to climb a
ladder with full gear on. A week ago, we
were busting our guts watching a buddy trying
to do this onto his boat. I sent him an
e-mail ragging him about it. His response
was roughly: "I wanted to try it, and I ain't
gonna try it again." ;-)
Nimrod's "foot" is a good idea. It should be
located right at the bottom of the vertical
part of the side of the boat as that's the
strongest place for that sort of "pushing in"
load (down there it's not pushing on the
side but rather on the edge of the bottom.).

Chuck

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Author	Topic: Ladders
Mojo	posted 02-01-2003 07:19 AM ET (US) I own a BW Outrage 24 (1996), and am trying to design a strong stainless steel ladder for the side of the boat, primarily used for diving. I prefer the fish bone design ladder but am having difficulty in configuring a mounting for the ladder on the side of the boat, since the mounting has to hold the weight of a fully equipped diver. There is no room near the transom as I have twin engines mounted. Anybody have any suggestions in reinforcing the side of the boat where the ladder will mount?
j_h_nimrod	posted 02-02-2003 12:10 AM ET (US) Mojo, I would reccomend aluminum because it is much lighter, cheaper, more easily worked, and easier to weld. I have used one on a non-Whaler that is hinged at the top and has a wide padded "foot" that rests against the hull. The ladder can be pivoted up so that running around between dives does not take a lot of time. Most of the force is straight down and there is minimal pressure against the hull. If you are worried about the side of the boat cracking then move the "foot" down to the edge of the chine where the lateral strength is strongest. 1-1/2" thin wall pipe is more then adequate for any weight you will put on it.
triblet	posted 02-02-2003 09:04 PM ET (US) Don't design it, buy it. There are lots of sources for ladders like this. Why the need for the fish bone? Can't your divers take their fins and BC off in the water? You really don't want fully loaded divers waddling around on your boat, and slamming their tank into the console when they turn around. And it's really hard to climb a ladder with full gear on. A week ago, we were busting our guts watching a buddy trying to do this onto his boat. I sent him an e-mail ragging him about it. His response was roughly: "I wanted to try it, and I ain't gonna try it again." ;-) Nimrod's "foot" is a good idea. It should be located right at the bottom of the vertical part of the side of the boat as that's the strongest place for that sort of "pushing in" load (down there it's not pushing on the side but rather on the edge of the bottom.). Chuck