Foolish
Super Anarchist
Is there a favorite boarding ladder design for an Olson 30?
Boarding ladder for an Olson 30
- Thread starter Foolish
- Start date
El Borracho
Barkeeper’s Friend
Something lightweight.
Some points to consider:
In bumpy anchorages a transom ladder can be tough to use. If at the reverse transom angle it will break off. But at other times a ladder on the side can be a challenge if rolling for some reason. Side is a bit easier for boarding from a dinghy but the 30 is low enough to not need a ladder.
Depends on one’s physical ability. Until a few years ago I was able to board at the bow, unaided and at least 4 feet up, from swimming. Now I can still clamber up the transom by grabbing the handy portholes there and stepping into the cockpit drain thruhulls. A benefit of the 50 design. But not if really sauced. Might need to add an underwater step back there in a few years.
Metal ladders are heavy and inconvenient to stow. The collapsable ones are somewhat unreliable. Rope ladders are light, stowable, and very nautical, but tougher to use than one might think bcuz the lower steps swing under the hull in most unhelpful way. Same issue with stern platforms more than a few inches above the water.
If the inflatable dinghy is deployed then using it to board from swimming is a good way. If one cannot board a dinghy from swimming one should probably not be using one.
Consider if children might be users.
The mounting arrangements are often a tragedy, un-sailorly, and an eyesore.
Some points to consider:
In bumpy anchorages a transom ladder can be tough to use. If at the reverse transom angle it will break off. But at other times a ladder on the side can be a challenge if rolling for some reason. Side is a bit easier for boarding from a dinghy but the 30 is low enough to not need a ladder.
Depends on one’s physical ability. Until a few years ago I was able to board at the bow, unaided and at least 4 feet up, from swimming. Now I can still clamber up the transom by grabbing the handy portholes there and stepping into the cockpit drain thruhulls. A benefit of the 50 design. But not if really sauced. Might need to add an underwater step back there in a few years.
Metal ladders are heavy and inconvenient to stow. The collapsable ones are somewhat unreliable. Rope ladders are light, stowable, and very nautical, but tougher to use than one might think bcuz the lower steps swing under the hull in most unhelpful way. Same issue with stern platforms more than a few inches above the water.
If the inflatable dinghy is deployed then using it to board from swimming is a good way. If one cannot board a dinghy from swimming one should probably not be using one.
Consider if children might be users.
The mounting arrangements are often a tragedy, un-sailorly, and an eyesore.
SASSAFRASS
Super Anarchist
I am very happy with the Scanmar folding one we got, the guy in Mystic builds them. They come in single, double or triple. I can't think of a boat it wouldn't work on at the lifeline gate. Easy to remove and stow the step in the water and hull supports work well. The guy really does his homework too wants lots of pics and dimm and you to sign off on before building. We put on the non dock side, normally go port side to if possible. Underway for longer trips would stow to keep the salt off. Or if we had to go stbd side too.
www.scanmarinternational.com
Scanmar International | FoldAway Boarding Ladder
The Foldaway boarding ladder is the best non-custom ladder available. It is an essential piece of gear for both sail and power boats worldwide.
www.scanmarinternational.com
sierrawhiskeygolf
Member
We have one of these. Rudimentary, you need to be slightly athletic to use it but it works. It's made by Osculati.
El Borracho
Barkeeper’s Friend
That is clever. Good for emergencies...maybe. I have more than once jumped in for a swim without fully considering climbing back aboard.We have one of these. Rudimentary, you need to be slightly athletic to use it but it works. It's made by Osculati.
However that third instructional pic defies all physics. Obviously the artist never actually used the ladder. Works in a swimming pool perhaps. Not on a sailboat where it will only be slightly better than spending the night clinging on.
phill_nz
Super Anarchist
Rope Ladder
Rope Ladder: So you need a way to get up and down from your tree house, but you left you ladder at home. Don't worry, just grab some rope and make this cool rope ladder.
www.instructables.com
i have made a few of these out of hard laid 3 strand
each time it's easier faster and better
they work well esp as you can tailor the length of each step
and they are easily through footed to a stanchion, ring or fixture when needed
most of the problem with climbing rope / rope and dowel / wire and dowel ladders is procedure
you dont climb up them like a step ladder .. that will cause the foot part to rise
you climb up them from the side so each foot and hand enter the rungs from opposite sides ( right hand and foot from one side left hand and foot from the other ( heel first ))
for small journeys up the side of a yacht its not a bother .. but for longer journeys up the side of a ship or up a mast with no support .. it makes a huge difference
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El Borracho
Barkeeper’s Friend
...with fingers smashed between ladder and hull. Big fun!Yeah, in the third pic he should be almost horizontal, feet on ladder under transom and clinging on with his hands
Friend had a Garlick on the back of his tri, Single post with three steps, when it's not in use mount it upside down and it is pretty much out of the way, flip it over and into the water and it's really stable! https://www.boatid.com/garelick/38-...diver-ladder-mpn-19803.html?singleid=85784504
Kenny Dumas
Non Binary About Anything
It’s a tough problem for sure. A rope ladder might work if you had some way to fix the bottom to the bottom of the rudder. Maybe splice a basket/net that you could push below the rudder with your feet, then tension?
redboat
Super Anarchist
Could design something that could be stored in your man overboard tube and deployed from the water if necessary by pulling a lanyard. Use your imagination............
El Borracho
Barkeeper’s Friend
I had one of those on an earlier boat. Close to the best solution. Of course I stowed it below, not as COTB. The inconspicuous mount is sweet. A bit difficult to stow below on a small boat. Also, like most stern ladders it was lethal if the boat was pitching at anchor. Likely a great amount of stress at the mount, so lighter hulls probably need load spreading inside and outside.
With the reverse transom on an Olson a Garlick would work just fine. It would stow below fine if you were racing, of course I wouldn't leave on the back when racing!
Don't even attempt a rope ladder, had one that a crew made up - sucked when you stepped on it and your foot instantly went under the boat and you're horizontal.
Don't even attempt a rope ladder, had one that a crew made up - sucked when you stepped on it and your foot instantly went under the boat and you're horizontal.
atnan
Member
I use a rope ladder on my Santa Cruz 27, tied to the perforated toe rail when I think I might need it. I've used one on an Olson 30 too and it's equally effective.
If you're trying to use a rope ladder and going horizontal, you're probably trying to treat it like a ladder. They might look like a ladder, but you don't use them like one - at least not on a boat with a reasonably low freeboard. The trick is to find something on or over the gunnel/transom that you can pull yourself up and forward with, grab onto it, then you use whichever rung of the rope ladder suits your leg length to push yourself up and out of the water with a single foot while simultaneously pulling your upper body up and over the gunnel.
If you're trying to use a rope ladder and going horizontal, you're probably trying to treat it like a ladder. They might look like a ladder, but you don't use them like one - at least not on a boat with a reasonably low freeboard. The trick is to find something on or over the gunnel/transom that you can pull yourself up and forward with, grab onto it, then you use whichever rung of the rope ladder suits your leg length to push yourself up and out of the water with a single foot while simultaneously pulling your upper body up and over the gunnel.
