Seeing a previous post about swim ladders jogged my memory about needing to find one for my boat. My wife won’t go swimming because she doesn’t like climbing up on the motor. I have an 18’ Polar Flats 1788. The transom area is not real big and I don’t really want something sticking off the stern all the time. I have found 2 I like the looks of and the way they are deployed but was hoping to get some input from the peanut gallery (not you Peapod). One is a traditional detachable dive ladder where only the bracket stays on all the time, and one (Garelick Eez-In) is pretty cool in that it slides back into the transom when not in use. Any thoughts/experiences with either of these or ladders in general?
DF, I am in the same boat, ha ha, and about to buy a dive ladder. I don’t have a lot of room on the whaler so I like the single mounting point of the dive ladder type. Plus, no offense Cracker, but I can’t stand the look of a swim platform off the back of a boat. On a Classic a Whaler they look especially silly, IMO. However, I am going with the Garelick dive ladder that also retracts up into itself. That way if I want to leave it attached, it doesn’t drag in the water, and it doesn’t take up much room in the boat or garage when stored.
I like that swim platform Larry (anything would look good on that boat) and I think my wife would as well but, not sure I want a permanently mounted ladder. I like the compact one but, the thought of cutting a 3" hole in the transom gives me the willies. The detachable dive ladder is super easy to install/use, just never used one and not sure of any pitfalls (if any). I’ll just have to give it a bit more thought.
Larry, was that swim platform a custom job? Approximate cost?
Farmdawg, I tried that type of ladder but, with no gunnels to speak of, it isn’t very stable. This is for my 4’10" wife so it has to be stable/easy to use. Thanks.
“Apathy is the Glove into Which Evil Slips It’s Hand”.
quote: not sure I want a permanently mounted ladder.
It’s telescoping in 3 sections and folds up flat on the platform out of the way when not in use. It’s also a Gareleck ladder.
quote:Larry, was that swim platform a custom job? Approximate cost?
Yes, both of those pictured were made for me by Raymond Martin. They almost have to be custom to fit right, match the transom angle, work around trim tabs and other fittings… I don’t know the cost. He made mine for free Probably in the $300 range.
quote: the thought of cutting a 3" hole in the transom gives me the willies
You know somebody who’s not scared to cut a hole, and you know where he lives and his phone number
Let me give you one more thing to consider with the ladder. If you are in your boat alone and somehow fall out, get thrown out, get hurt, and your ladder is stowed under a hatch somewhere, it won’t do you a bit of good. I want mine to always be deploy-able from the water.
You make some good points Larry. I’ll give it some thought and make a decision. $300 may be a little more than I can do right now, seems like 2015 is intent on bleeding me dry. If I decide to go the platform route, I’ll see if I can find something ready made. I also appreciate your offer to assist if I go with the compact one, you are a fine fellow.
“Apathy is the Glove into Which Evil Slips It’s Hand”.
quote: not sure I want a permanently mounted ladder.
It’s telescoping in 3 sections and folds up flat on the platform out of the way when not in use. It’s also a Gareleck ladder.
quote:Larry, was that swim platform a custom job? Approximate cost?
Yes, both of those pictured were made for me by Raymond Martin. They almost have to be custom to fit right, match the transom angle, work around trim tabs and other fittings… I don’t know the cost. He made mine for free Probably in the $300 range.
quote: the thought of cutting a 3" hole in the transom gives me the willies
You know somebody who’s not scared to cut a hole, and you know where he lives and his phone number
Let me give you one more thing to consider with the ladder. If you are in your boat alone and somehow fall out, get thrown out, get hurt, and your ladder is stowed under a hatch somewhere, it won’t do you a bit of good. I want mine to always be deploy-able from the water.
Capt. Larry Teuton
Swamp Worshiper
Larry,you ever made a custom bow pulpit?? Been wanting one on my 23 Gulfstream just haven’t looked around much…
Gareleck makes great products.
Probably in the $300 range.