Jump to content

Welcome to TheMalibuCrew!

As a guest, you are welcome to poke around and view the majority of the content that we have to offer, but in order to post, search, contact members, and get full use out of the website you will need to Register for an Account. It's free and it's easy, so don't hesitate to join the TheMalibuCrew Family today!

Add on boarding ladder help?


MustGoFast

Recommended Posts

7 hours ago, store934 said:

We use 6 stainless ¼” bolts with locking nuts to through bolt the ladder to the swim step. As long as the holes are not countersunk too deep there should be no issues

SS Fender washers.

Link to comment
10 minutes ago, Eagleboy99 said:

SS Fender washers.

I think they are talking about flat head bolts, and countersinking them.  It seems like you would feel bolt heads through the pad if you used fender washers.

Link to comment
  • 5 months later...
1 hour ago, Dawg said:

When the ladder is down, is it designed to stay at about a 90 degree angle to the platform or will it sway back toward the rudder when climbing up?

It doesn't sway to the rudder. It stops a little shy of 90 degrees.  It's pretty sturdy and a favorite feature on my boat.

Link to comment
  • 1 month later...

I'm probably going to add a ladder soon and trying to decide on the 3 step versus the 4 step. Mainly going to install because of back issues for myself and family members.

Do you seen any disadvantage to installing the 4 step ladder? There does not appear to be much difference is the stowed dimensions.

Any suggestions are appreciated.

Link to comment
On 8/20/2019 at 7:42 PM, Catman said:

I did not like the factory step on the side of the swim step and wanted one in the center. I researched here on the forum and copied another member(sorry I don’t remember who). I purchased a 3 step ladder and fabricated a stainless steel support frame, then fiberglassed it on. I’m not a professional fiberglass person, but it has held up well.  Including the ladder purchase, I have $180 in it.

2F264988-71F3-4DDE-9AAD-C51D32EE7B97.jpeg

99C1773F-9C7E-401E-B6B0-73853A73AFA3.jpeg

C517927C-C017-41DB-A0DC-556CA196EA2C.jpeg

8BCF46CA-432B-473E-86D2-3C116ADD7DB4.jpeg

60129CDC-85C0-4848-A067-C5EA3971D3F6.jpeg

AA2FE1C3-857D-4205-8833-A89DAFFAF748.jpeg

9C207435-6FC0-46EE-BBF6-EF8C81A484CF.jpeg

2079A746-7501-47B8-A168-E418EE732330.jpeg

997F57FA-2A6F-4682-9C32-37C8847DBE37.jpeg

Wondering if 3M 5200 adhesive would hold this to the deck without fiberglassing it in? Would still make the frame. Just sticking the ladder on wouldn't cut it. Now also wondering how thick the platforms are? Possibly adhesive plus screws from through frame and screwed into platform from the bottom side without going through. Just trying to save all those perfectly good platform pads.

Edited by dalt1
Link to comment
19 hours ago, dalt1 said:

After looking at my platform today, may not be room for ladder. Only about 1" clearance between the surf pipe and bottom of platform. Unless it fits in the area at the rear of pipe.image.thumb.png.5b50fb5c1d1d89e6bdff94b840bacab3.png

Looking at the below picture not sure why you could not use it with surfpipe?  May have to offset it to the side a bit worst case. 

image.png.da78bceafa0ad2d21b32f775cf114909.png

Link to comment

I had the local machine shop modify the platform support so that the ladder bracket could bolt directly to it.  This gave me several advantateges:
If the ladder gets mangled, it is easy to replace
The bracket is very sturdy
Not relying on the fiberglass of the platform to support the bolts (which will fail eventually)

I am really happy with out it turned out.  One of the best mods i've done to this or any other boat.

It does not noticeably affect the wave.

 

 

20190820_083214.thumb.jpg.9422d1750e901596360a7c48030b74fe.jpg20190820_125059.thumb.jpg.4a1e6782666abddba73b1a3eea8129e3.jpg20190820_125442.thumb.jpg.bd6cfad4f397245a7028235d5119e0d6.jpg

Link to comment
2 hours ago, kylesullens said:

I had the local machine shop modify the platform support so that the ladder bracket could bolt directly to it.  This gave me several advantateges:
If the ladder gets mangled, it is easy to replace
The bracket is very sturdy
Not relying on the fiberglass of the platform to support the bolts (which will fail eventually)

I am really happy with out it turned out.  One of the best mods i've done to this or any other boat.

It does not noticeably affect the wave.

 

 

20190820_083214.thumb.jpg.9422d1750e901596360a7c48030b74fe.jpg20190820_125059.thumb.jpg.4a1e6782666abddba73b1a3eea8129e3.jpg20190820_125442.thumb.jpg.bd6cfad4f397245a7028235d5119e0d6.jpg

That looks like a great way to go, got any more specs as to what was done?  Or more part pics?

Link to comment
15 hours ago, kylesullens said:

I had the local machine shop modify the platform support so that the ladder bracket could bolt directly to it.  This gave me several advantateges:
If the ladder gets mangled, it is easy to replace
The bracket is very sturdy
Not relying on the fiberglass of the platform to support the bolts (which will fail eventually)

I am really happy with out it turned out.  One of the best mods i've done to this or any other boat.

It does not noticeably affect the wave.

 

 

20190820_125442.thumb.jpg.bd6cfad4f397245a7028235d5119e0d6.jpg

How does it surf on that side?

Link to comment
13 hours ago, MustGoFast said:

That looks like a great way to go, got any more specs as to what was done?  Or more part pics?

I used this ladder

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07VVGZ3FC/ref=sspa_dk_detail_5?psc=1&pd_rd_i=B07VVGZ3FC&pd_rd_w=iFLlV&pf_rd_p=48d372c1-f7e1-4b8b-9d02-4bd86f5158c5&pd_rd_wg=EO25K&pf_rd_r=VAXVCSSXK6SQZDDKFY56&pd_rd_r=e4d62d5c-2b69-416e-8838-234ba1d5a7fc&spLa=ZW5jcnlwdGVkUXVhbGlmaWVyPUExQk9CREYxSDY5UkhKJmVuY3J5cHRlZElkPUEwNDY5OTczMjI5N0ZIS1E0OUlQMCZlbmNyeXB0ZWRBZElkPUEwNzI5MjQ1MUxUOUdZVEMxTUFWRiZ3aWRnZXROYW1lPXNwX2RldGFpbCZhY3Rpb249Y2xpY2tSZWRpcmVjdCZkb05vdExvZ0NsaWNrPXRydWU=

 

I don't have the schematic that I drew for the fab work.  But your platform bracket is different than mine anyway.  I would buy the ladder you want (I suggest one with a full bracket, like the one linked above).  Take the ladder and the platform bracket to your favorite fabricator and ask him to attach it.  If you have the ability, you can draw up the design for the attachment.

Not magic or rocket science, just takes some ingenuity to come up with the right placement.

Link to comment
  • 3 weeks later...
On 8/20/2019 at 7:42 PM, Catman said:

I did not like the factory step on the side of the swim step and wanted one in the center. I researched here on the forum and copied another member(sorry I don’t remember who). I purchased a 3 step ladder and fabricated a stainless steel support frame, then fiberglassed it on. I’m not a professional fiberglass person, but it has held up well.  Including the ladder purchase, I have $180 in it.

2F264988-71F3-4DDE-9AAD-C51D32EE7B97.jpeg

99C1773F-9C7E-401E-B6B0-73853A73AFA3.jpeg

C517927C-C017-41DB-A0DC-556CA196EA2C.jpeg

8BCF46CA-432B-473E-86D2-3C116ADD7DB4.jpeg

60129CDC-85C0-4848-A067-C5EA3971D3F6.jpeg

AA2FE1C3-857D-4205-8833-A89DAFFAF748.jpeg

9C207435-6FC0-46EE-BBF6-EF8C81A484CF.jpeg

2079A746-7501-47B8-A168-E418EE732330.jpeg

997F57FA-2A6F-4682-9C32-37C8847DBE37.jpeg

Still like this idea, Glassing it in. Looking at the ladders being used, may be possible to just glass in the actual ladder side mounts and not even need the extra bolt mount plate. What you all think?

 

Link to comment
On 8/20/2019 at 7:42 PM, Catman said:

I did not like the factory step on the side of the swim step and wanted one in the center. I researched here on the forum and copied another member(sorry I don’t remember who). I purchased a 3 step ladder and fabricated a stainless steel support frame, then fiberglassed it on. I’m not a professional fiberglass person, but it has held up well.  Including the ladder purchase, I have $180 in it.

2F264988-71F3-4DDE-9AAD-C51D32EE7B97.jpeg

99C1773F-9C7E-401E-B6B0-73853A73AFA3.jpeg

C517927C-C017-41DB-A0DC-556CA196EA2C.jpeg

8BCF46CA-432B-473E-86D2-3C116ADD7DB4.jpeg

60129CDC-85C0-4848-A067-C5EA3971D3F6.jpeg

AA2FE1C3-857D-4205-8833-A89DAFFAF748.jpeg

9C207435-6FC0-46EE-BBF6-EF8C81A484CF.jpeg

2079A746-7501-47B8-A168-E418EE732330.jpeg

997F57FA-2A6F-4682-9C32-37C8847DBE37.jpeg

Catman what is the thickness of the steel frame 1/8"?

Link to comment

some pretty inventive installs here.

8 years ago i just drilled more holes in the piece that attaches to the bottom of the swim grid and used screws that did not go all the way thru the top of the platform.

never had a problem. took like 15 minutes. 

ever try an pull a screw out? how about when there are 10?

  • Like 3
Link to comment
2 hours ago, Chia said:

some pretty inventive installs here.

8 years ago i just drilled more holes in the piece that attaches to the bottom of the swim grid and used screws that did not go all the way thru the top of the platform.

never had a problem. took like 15 minutes. 

ever try an pull a screw out? how about when there are 10?

I think this will work with 200lbs or less persons. IMO you put a 300lb ‘r on that and I would cringe. Reason being my swim deck looks to be made of approx. 3/4” honeycomb material that is sandwiched by 1/8” fiberglass on each side. But I do think the fiberglass is approx 1/4” thick where the 2 stock mounts are screwed in. 

Link to comment
28 minutes ago, Catman said:

I think this will work with 200lbs or less persons. IMO you put a 300lb ‘r on that and I would cringe. Reason being my swim deck looks to be made of approx. 3/4” honeycomb material that is sandwiched by 1/8” fiberglass on each side. But I do think the fiberglass is approx 1/4” thick where the 2 stock mounts are screwed in. 

yea, i dunno what the composition of the fiberglass swim grid is, all i know it has been at least 8 years without even a tiny problem. 

The hardest part is figuring out which length of screws to use.

edit: it gets a workout, as it is only used by people that couldn't get up without it.

Edited by Chia
Link to comment
On 4/14/2020 at 10:11 PM, dalt1 said:

Catman what is the thickness of the steel frame 1/8"?

 

On 4/15/2020 at 11:29 AM, Catman said:

Yes, I used 1/8 stainless

Could you have set the ladder back under the platform so it doesn't stick past the rear edge of the platform? Was that a need for proper ladder operation?image.thumb.png.fa1626b3486b2a8ae99e6d4ebd8be5de.png

Link to comment
46 minutes ago, dalt1 said:

Rubber strap to stow or Spring catch? I think I like the spring catch but do they hold up OK?

 

I had the spring catch on my 2014 and loved it. The dealer installed my ladder on the '18 and it is the rubber strap. I much preferred the spring catch. My kids struggle with the strap which means I always have to make sure they stowed the ladder properly.

Link to comment
On 3/26/2020 at 9:58 AM, kylesullens said:

I used this ladder

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07VVGZ3FC/ref=sspa_dk_detail_5?psc=1&pd_rd_i=B07VVGZ3FC&pd_rd_w=iFLlV&pf_rd_p=48d372c1-f7e1-4b8b-9d02-4bd86f5158c5&pd_rd_wg=EO25K&pf_rd_r=VAXVCSSXK6SQZDDKFY56&pd_rd_r=e4d62d5c-2b69-416e-8838-234ba1d5a7fc&spLa=ZW5jcnlwdGVkUXVhbGlmaWVyPUExQk9CREYxSDY5UkhKJmVuY3J5cHRlZElkPUEwNDY5OTczMjI5N0ZIS1E0OUlQMCZlbmNyeXB0ZWRBZElkPUEwNzI5MjQ1MUxUOUdZVEMxTUFWRiZ3aWRnZXROYW1lPXNwX2RldGFpbCZhY3Rpb249Y2xpY2tSZWRpcmVjdCZkb05vdExvZ0NsaWNrPXRydWU=

 

I don't have the schematic that I drew for the fab work.  But your platform bracket is different than mine anyway.  I would buy the ladder you want (I suggest one with a full bracket, like the one linked above).  Take the ladder and the platform bracket to your favorite fabricator and ask him to attach it.  If you have the ability, you can draw up the design for the attachment.

Not magic or rocket science, just takes some ingenuity to come up with the right placement.

Looks like the one in your pics was a 3 step strap latch and not this linked too ladder. I like this one  with the spring latch but wonder if there is a 3 step version?

Link to comment

Join the conversation

You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.

Guest
Reply to this topic...

×   Pasted as rich text.   Restore formatting

  Only 75 emoji are allowed.

×   Your link has been automatically embedded.   Display as a link instead

×   Your previous content has been restored.   Clear editor

×   You cannot paste images directly. Upload or insert images from URL.

×
×
  • Create New...