Boarding Ladder ??

dennisdl · Post by **dennisdl** » Thu Mar 03, 2005 3:20 am

Since I have an arthritic knee (2 actually, but 1 in particular) I have problems boarding and unboarding the Mac 26x with its high freeboard... Any good suggestions on something to assist in that area, yet not space consuming, etc...

TonyHouk · Post by **TonyHouk** » Thu Mar 03, 2005 6:22 am

Dennis,
Blue Water Yachts makes nice boarding ladder for the boat. It can be used and the gunale for the dock and then placed in the companion way for cruising. It has quick release pins for movability. They include a set of mounts that go on the genoa tracks. I have one if you want pictures. I hope that helps and happy sails, Tony

vatalon · Post by **vatalon** » Thu Mar 03, 2005 6:42 am

You also might want to look at installing pelican hooks on the lifelines so you can disconnect them for easy boarding.

Pouw Geuzebroek · Post by **Pouw Geuzebroek** » Thu Mar 03, 2005 7:40 am

Dennis, you mention the high freeboard. Is there no way you can park the boat differently and get on board via the transom? Makes life much easier.

Duane Dunn, Allegro · Thu Mar 03, 2005 11:58 am

Tony, the BWY boarding ladder that attaches to the genoa tracks is really cool, but unfortunately no longer available. He would need to get a picture and have it fab'ed somewhere else. Perhaps you could post a picture in the mod section for all to see.

Jack O'Brien · Post by **Jack O'Brien** » Thu Mar 03, 2005 2:58 pm

Dennis:

I have a couple knees due for replacement also. My solution is RUM, by gum. Really helps me go up and down, and up and down, and up and down that transom ladder when rigging. And, when on the water, if I use it sufficiently, I find myself getting up again and again with no recollection of going down. It smoothes the waves and calms the troubled waters.

Bill at BOATS 4 SAIL · Thu Mar 03, 2005 4:06 pm

It can also be used for ballast.

Catigale · Post by **Catigale** » Thu Mar 03, 2005 4:19 pm

Tony, the BWY boarding ladder that attaches to the genoa tracks is really cool, but unfortunately no longer available. He would need to get a picture and have it fab'ed somewhere else. Perhaps you could post a picture in the mod section for all to see

I havent tried this but a friend of mine has successfully.

www. emachine.com

You can submit a machine job online and ultimately get a quote for your part in whatever qty you desire.

Might be a cool way to get MAC things fabbed, and you could use the list to drive volume....

Catigale

Tom Spohn · Post by **Tom Spohn** » Thu Mar 03, 2005 9:48 pm

Duane, Tony,
I visited BWY last week and Gail showed me some of the parts for the new boarding ladder. They are still waiting for some parts from a supplier--I think the actual fittings that attach to the Genny tracks, and Todd has to fabricate the steps, but they should be available some day. Won't hurt to give them a call for availability.

TonyHouk · Post by **TonyHouk** » Fri Mar 04, 2005 5:14 pm

Hey Everybody,
I posted the photos in the mods section. I hope that helps and happy sails, Tony

CaptEd · Post by **CaptEd** » Fri Mar 04, 2005 9:34 pm

My wife was always having "fun" boarding til I bought a clip-on single step. I attach it to the stanchion and unclip my pelican hook lifeline. I bought it at West Marine. The rope and metal clips are just the right length to ease trouble of boarding.

mtc · Post by **mtc** » Sat Mar 05, 2005 5:49 am

Gentlemen, what would you recommend for the boarding ladder? Should i get an aftermarket version, or the stock version? I've seen some really good mods such as cutting the ladder in half, securing steps, etc. but it seems pricy for the what you get with the stock version.

Pouw Geuzebroek · Post by **Pouw Geuzebroek** » Sat Mar 05, 2005 10:27 am

Dennis, this one is for sale at MacGregorowners.com for only $19.95.

http://shop.macgregorowners.com/detail. ... &group=216

Moe · Post by **Moe** » Sat Mar 05, 2005 10:42 am

Pouw, that one is also available at West Marine at the expected higher price. We bought a single-step as an emergency boarding ladder for our Whaler, where it's adjusted for attaching to a stern eye. One foot on the outboard antiventilation plate, next to the leg, another foot a little higher on this, then first foot on the transom. We haven't tested it in our usually sub-70 degree water, and forgot to do so in Pensacola, but from reports and tests I've read online, it's a bear trying to board with these rope ladders, so I'm not sure how much help it will be.

Micheal,
our Mac has the factory boarding ladder, and like some on this forum, I'm putting teak treads on the rungs. Some here have complained that two steps are insufficient, and have extended the factory ladder.

--
Moe

Murv Barry · Post by **Murv Barry** » Sat Mar 05, 2005 8:52 pm

If you have a 2X6 about 1' long you can use some line to make your own ladder. The lines on mine are long enough to use with the dinghy. Need to carpet to avoid scratching the boat.

Spent several weeks in the San Juans and Golf Isl last summer and happened to see a 2X8 about 4" long on one of the docks I tied up to. I lowered my stern ladder half way, tied a line to the end of the ladder to support it and tied the other end of the line to the port cleat. I secured one end of the plank to the ladder and the other on the dock. It was crude but served as a nice way to board my 01X. If boarding is a problem I think this idea could be improved on.

Murv - San Diego

MacGregorSailors.com

MacGregorSailors.com

Boarding Ladder ??

Boarding Ladder ??

Arthritis

I posted the photos in the mods section.