MacGregorSailors.com

From this:

• two thin boards both heavily rotted, one of them looks like luan

• washers made from nickels

• nuts less than finger tight

To this:

• pressure treated 2x8 trimmed down (no hardwood available, 2x8 was 5 bucks due to a 2ft split in the other end of the board)

• planned to match the curved transome

• planned a good bit thinner (maybe 1-1/4th at the thickest)

• edges routed because I don't want any more sharped edgest down there and because I got a hand router recently

• bolts 1/4 x 2-1/2 -same length as came out, except with socketed heads instead of Phillips (because I couldn't get it tight enough with Phillips)

• washers 1/4 x 1-1/4 -Much larger than the drilled nickels. 5 of them to prevent cupping (and because they came in packs of 5)

• nylock lock nuts 1/4 -originals had lock washers and were not tight

• all hw is stainless steel

And added 1/4" hdpe plates on the ladder side. Should have just used a cutting board to save money. Black would have been prettier.


Used a small ring (thinner than #2 pencil) of amazon special butyl tape to seal the bolts around the hdpe to hull surface.

Fiberglass in this area is about a quarter inch or less. It has no coring. It is very flexible.

How is your mob ladder attached? What would you do differently?

This is just about the last thing I have to do before the trial. A couple more clevis pin replacements, then put the mast up one more time to try the boom and sails.

*remember that this is a new-to-me boat which sat in a field. PO knew nothing about it, so it has never been put together / sailed in my sight. I have to go thru everything piece by piece to make sure everything is there, is in working order, and that I know how to use it.

Last bit on:



Do those bottom supports look to long, making the bottom of the ladder stick out to far? Should I trim them?

Don’t trim them until you try them on the water. I trimmed 1/2in. off of mine thinking they were to far out, and now it is alright on the trailer, but on the water it feels like I am climbing upside down. Trying to find an easy way to extend them again!

Maraquita wrote: ↑Thu Sep 18, 2025 3:57 pm Don’t trim them until you try them on the water. I trimmed 1/2in. off of mine thinking they were to far out, and now it is alright on the trailer, but on the water it feels like I am climbing upside down. Trying to find an easy way to extend them again!

Thanks for the advice @Maraquita

I will wait to trim them.

Contemplating gluing 1/4 hdpe pads to the outside of the transom where the rubber ladder feet rub and put pressure, in an attempt to spread the load.

thoughts? suggestions on a quick, east, non perminate glue? maybe Lowes construction adhesive? I've never used sikaflex 4200, but I'd imagine that would be good too?

Hi JameToBoot

Nice job on the ladder.
Too bad someone hasn’t figured out how to mount that nice Wagner ladder to a Mac yet.
Those nice flat steps you have are bound to be a whole lot more comfortable than the small round bars on our ladder!

Best Regards,
Over Easy

I thought the flat bars were pretty nice too. Kinda blew my mind. It just confirmed that someone once really enjoyed this boat and spent a good bit of time on it.

JamesToBoot wrote: ↑Fri Sep 19, 2025 6:27 pm Contemplating gluing 1/4 hdpe pads to the outside of the transom where the rubber ladder feet rub and put pressure, in an attempt to spread the load.

thoughts? suggestions on a quick, east, non perminate glue? maybe Lowes construction adhesive? I've never used sikaflex 4200, but I'd imagine that would be good too?

Still curious of your thoughts? Good idea, or waste of time?

JamesToBoot wrote: ↑Mon Sep 22, 2025 2:00 pm

JamesToBoot wrote: ↑Fri Sep 19, 2025 6:27 pm Contemplating gluing 1/4 hdpe pads to the outside of the transom where the rubber ladder feet rub and put pressure, in an attempt to spread the load.

thoughts? suggestions on a quick, east, non perminate glue? maybe Lowes construction adhesive? I've never used sikaflex 4200, but I'd imagine that would be good too?

Still curious of your thoughts? Good idea, or waste of time?

Probably a waste of time. Just be sure the ladder has a nice cushy rubber 'foot' on the standoff posts where they hit the boat... the feet are available at any hardware store, in white or black (choose white). The 26X takes a 1" diameter foot (I just bought some for my boat).

If you're dead-set on making a pad to spread the load, keep in mind it will change the angle of the ladder unless you shorten the standoff post. As to the adhesive, I'd just use 3M 4200... it can be removed with 3M remover, if you decide to take the pads off.