Some Tips on Choosing the Right Ladder for Your Boat

One of the questions that arose with all the ladders was how and where to attach them. The jonboat was the toughest with no logical point of attachment inside the boat. Staff members had to rig a line that circled the interior deck of the boat and then each ladder could be clipped to the line with a heavy-duty carabiner. The RIB had a few D-rings on the floorboards and the Whaler had cleats on the top of the gunwale.

Plan Ahead – Before you choose a ladder, think about where and how you will be attaching it to the boat. This factor plays a big part in determining the right ladder for your boat. Other factors to consider include:

• Once installed, how much space do you have for storing the ladder so it is still reachable from the water?
• How much freeboard does your boat have and will you be able to use it as a surface to push against when climbing a ladder?
• Are there any obstacles that may impede deployment of the ladder – railings or stanchions that the ladder will have to be maneuvered around when deploying from the water?

The fanciest, most expensive ladder is not always the best choice for you or your boat. In our tests, we often found that simpler was better.

Practice, Practice, Practice - Once you’ve purchased a boarding ladder, you’ll need to practice using it. Reboarding success is all about technique. Take your boat out on a warm day and practice boarding with your ladder so you know what to expect should the unexpected occur. This will also help you determine how and where you can store it. It must be within reach of the water, which can vary depending on the person at the boat.

If you can’t reach it from the water, you won’t be able to use it, and you may not be able to get back in the boat at all.

Testers and observers watch the boarding attempts from one of our support boats.

Testers tried to determine the optimum length for ladders on the jonboat.

Another look at all the ladders tested. (Click on the image to enlarge)