May have finally found a ladder

[nofearengineer]

After my warm weather dunking a couple years ago, I've been searching far and wide for a good emergency ladder. Climbing back in a boat with wet clothes on can be tough even for skinny guys. For me, it's not happening. LOL, Cmorg ended up dragging me with the trolling motor to the shallows to climb back in.

Triton and Ranger were offering a cool ladder that actually pops out of the transom when you need it, but they only sold them as part of an OEM boat...no aftermarket units.

Well, it looks like they finally made one for the aftermarket.


(click picture for details)

This thing is slick, even though it looks like more major surgery for the boat. It looks like you just cut a round hole through the transom, and all the way forward through any flotation foam you might have.

I've already figured out how to put backing plates behind it. I figure I'll have to match the exterior plate, cut it in half, and put each plate through the hole separately, and "glue" it in place with marine caulk. I'll have to make two of these backing plates (4 pieces), and make the "splits" in opposite directions; i.e. one vertical, and one horizontal, so as to overlap. All of the bolts should be tied into all of the others that way.

This should make me feel much safer in colder water. I hate hearing horror stories of drowned winter anglers.

[CMorg]

That looks like it will be a nice clean look when not deployed. I would say though , that the install will be a booger.

[bamabassman]

so this bar slides into a sleeve when not in use? or what? confused a little here. and do you have to cut a hole somewhere to install it? and where would you install it? i am for real here. i didn't see and details on installation.

[bassboogieman]

Do you have a jackplate? I put an e-ladder on mine, bolts right to the jackplate. I can move it to another boat if I ever buy another that does not have one. Installation took about 10 minutes, and I didn't have to cust any holes in my transom.....

[nofearengineer]

Bama,

It does indeed slide into a sleeve when not in use.



You can see the sleeve to the left.

Boogie,

No, I do not have a jack plate. I have looked at those e-ladders, and they don't actually look too easy to use. There isn't much on my boat to grab while you climb. Have you ever actually boarded with yours? I'm just trying to imagine 40 degree water, numb fingers and feet.

[carolina-rig-01]

My Triton has the Res Q ladder which is pretty much the same thing as this ladder. I haven't had to use it but I have deployed it a few times on the trailer to show it off to friends lol. It's a very cool idea and it looks very clean when it's not deployed. Very functional for sure!

[MIbasser]

Originally Posted by carolina-rig-01

My Triton has the Res Q ladder which is pretty much the same thing as this ladder. I haven't had to use it but I have deployed it a few times on the trailer to show it off to friends lol. It's a very cool idea and it looks very clean when it's not deployed. Very functional for sure!

I have on my Triton as well. I've even used it just to see how it works, and it works well. (but it is cool to show off!)

[pro reel]

It looks like it should work well. I do wonder why it doesn't come with a strong backing plate. I would get some 1/4 inch aluminum plate cut in a square about 6" X 6" then use a hole saw to drill a circle in it, line it up and mark the screw holes.

[nofearengineer]

Originally Posted by pro reel

It looks like it should work well. I do wonder why it doesn't come with a strong backing plate. I would get some 1/4 inch aluminum plate cut in a square about 6" X 6" then use a hole saw to drill a circle in it, line it up and mark the screw holes.

That is how you would do it if you were putting it in as you built the boat.

I will have to cut a circular hole through my hull. The sleeve will run through a cylindrical hole I cut through my flotation foam and the front wall of the cell. I'll have to put a backing plate through a hole smaller than the plate. Hence, my two-layer, 4-piece backing plate. Picture a big washer cut in half vertically. Now stack it with another washer cut in half, but horizontally. Each piece can be stuck through the hole, and then laid flat against the inside of the hull.

Remember, I would never try this with a fiberglass hull.

[bamabassman]

your last sentence told me what i needed to know bryce. thanks man.

[flfireman]

Looks cool, I use my motor to help me. Got the trim switch on the side. Just get on and raise it up. Done it once, hopefully won't need to again.

[pro reel]

Yep, that would not work if there is foam in that area. My boat doesn't have any foam in the rear section where this would mount.

[bassfisher]

Bryce, like I said earlier, I'm putting a handle on mine this year to help me climb in with my ladder, plus something to walk on. (Non slip cover of some sort) It might not look pretty, but I won't have to fall back into the water from the wax on the back deck either, or do the spilts again. (that hurts like hell)