Can I install a boat ladder?

Question

I have an older boat that has no ladder on it. It is very difficult to get into even with a roap ladder. Can I purchase and install a ladder on the rear of the boat myself?

Answer 1

Anything is possible. Use stainless steel fasteners and seal any holes with silicone caulk.

Answer 2

Sure you can.
"Boater's World", a great catalog for ordering accessories has a good web sight with a lot of different types of ladders. www.boatersworld.com is their web address. The only additional information I can give is if the ladder you choose one that requires screws, make sure you use plenty of silicone. Once you drill the holes, fill the holes with clear silicone and then put the screws in. This fills any small gaps between the wood/fiberglass and the screw itself and the silicone that squeezes out when you put the screw in makes a sort of gasket between the surface and whatever you are mounting.
Have fun!

Answer 3

to add to metalmans answer; Defender Industries or the much maligned West Marine sell boarding ladders of many different sizes and shapes....I would earnestly recommend you use machine screws or through bolts instead of screws; there's a lot of force on a boarding ladder and it will cause great harm when the screws rip out of the deck with someone halfway up it.....if you put the ladder off the back ( the transom) make it an ironclad rule to never have the engines on when using the ladder..someone accidentally puts the boat in gear, a propeller will chop the swimmer up in seconds.....

Answer 4

Yes you can.You need bolts, nuts, washers and silicon caulk . Make sure you use big washers to spread the weight and seal all the new holes with silicon.
DO NOT INSTALL IF YOU CANT GET TO THE BACK AND INSTALL WITH A NUT.

Answer 5

I don't know, can you?