Ladder to the top for our C28

[it4llc]

I got tired of the gymanstics routine trying to get on the top of the boat, so I built a ladder (for our C28). Total cost was $250 for materials (all 316 stainless) and $45 for a stainless steel tube cutter. It took about 45 minutes to cut the tube and put it together (although planning and searching for the best source for the parts took some hours).

 

[Martin610]

I could use this too. If you could share the parts list, that would really help.

-martin610

 

[mikey]

I got tired of the gymanstics routine trying to get on the top of the boat, so I built a ladder (for our C28). Total cost was $250 for materials (all 316 stainless) and $45 for a stainless steel tube cutter. It took about 45 minutes to cut the tube and put it together (although planning and searching for the best source for the parts took some hours).

View attachment 23561

take the bow ladder,a few bolts to make it rigid

 

[Cutwater28GG]

Is that top handle strong enough? That part of the roof likes to flex let alone what are the backing bolts like for the handle?

 

[it4llc]

I've been using that top rail to pull myself up onto the roof, kind of hopping from the bottom step and it's held fine. Hopefully the ladder will actually put less stress on that top rail now since it won't have to take my full weight now.

 

[it4llc]

I could use this too. If you could share the parts list, that would really help.

-martin610

I ordered the tee fittings from Marine Depot:
316 SS Hand Rail Hinged Tee, 90 Degree 1" - SKU: 6873SH
6873S - 90°, 1” Tube OD, Handrail Tee - SKU: 6873S

I ordered the tube from Verocious Motorsports:
1" OD 316L Stainless Steel Tubing, 16 Gauge (.065), Welded, A270-S2, 20Ra MPID, 32Ra MPOD - 8' Length (3A Polish) - SKU: T-0100-W-A270S2-065-6-3A-K8

I ordered the stainless steel tube cutter on Amazon:
RIDGID 29963 Model 35S 1/4" to 1-3/8" Stainless Steel Tubing Cutter with X-CEL Knob, Silver

 

[it4llc]

take the bow ladder,a few bolts to make it rigid

That might have worked well, although the plus of the current setup is that most of the weight is born by the bottom step, which was intended to hold a person's full weight (or at least I assume so since it was designed as a step.)

 

[watson1987]

I just built something similar. Looks the same but different purpose. Now I can mount my crab pots on the roof. Bonus points for being able to find all the parts beside the marina's recycling bin for free, as someone had just scrapped their extremely large bimini with about 50 feet of pipe and connectors.

 

[snestler]

I ordered the tee fittings from Marine Depot:
316 SS Hand Rail Hinged Tee, 90 Degree 1" - SKU: 6873SH
6873S - 90°, 1” Tube OD, Handrail Tee - SKU: 6873S

I ordered the tube from Verocious Motorsports:
1" OD 316L Stainless Steel Tubing, 16 Gauge (.065), Welded, A270-S2, 20Ra MPID, 32Ra MPOD - 8' Length (3A Polish) - SKU: T-0100-W-A270S2-065-6-3A-K8

I ordered the stainless steel tube cutter on Amazon:
RIDGID 29963 Model 35S 1/4" to 1-3/8" Stainless Steel Tubing Cutter with X-CEL Knob, Silver

What did you use to hold the tubing and connectors at the sides of the steps together? They don't appear to have any set screws like the ones at the top or bottom.

 

[watson1987]

What did you use to hold the tubing and connectors at the sides of the steps together? They don't appear to have any set screws like the ones at the top or bottom.

The middle ones are probably slide fittings with set screws on the inside. They are stronger and cheaper when they can be used.

 

[it4llc]

Yes, the set screws are on the backside, and I used regular tee fittings on the sides as they are a lot cheaper than the hinged ones. The steps hold my weight as is, but I am going to drill some small divots for the set screws to make sure they hold well.