Companion Way Ladder, OUCH!!

A forum for discussing boat or trailer repairs or modifications that you have made or are considering.
James V
Admiral
Posts: 1705
Joined: Sat Jan 22, 2005 9:33 am
Sailboat: MacGregor 26M
Location: Key West, Fl USA, 26M 06, Merc 50hp BF "LYNX"

Companion Way Ladder, OUCH!!

Post by James V »

I had pulled some muscles raising anchor a month ago and those was still hurting, I woke up last night and had heard a bump and my arm was hurting and then I realized that I had swung my arm in the night and hit the companion way ladder, Must have done it sever times as my arm is sore in several different spots. Anybody do the same?

Anybody put anything against it to stop it? I wrapped some foam around one and I have some 1 1/2 close cell that I can fit on it if that does not solve it.
User avatar
mike uk
First Officer
Posts: 214
Joined: Thu Sep 23, 2004 1:42 pm
Location: England 26X

Post by mike uk »

One possible solution is to trade your M in for an X, then you can hinge the ladder up at night :)

Mike
User avatar
Terry
Admiral
Posts: 1487
Joined: Thu Feb 19, 2004 2:35 pm
Sailboat: MacGregor 26M
Location: Vancouver, B.C. Canada. '03 26M - New Yamaha 70

Re: Companion Way Ladder, OUCH!!

Post by Terry »

James V wrote:I realized that I had swung my arm in the night and hit the companion way ladder, Must have done it sever times as my arm is sore in several different spots.
Anybody put anything against it to stop it? I wrapped some foam around one and I have some 1 1/2 close cell that I can fit on it if that does not solve it.
How about some sedatives :D sounds like you are having some active dreams :D
I use the ladder rails to haul myself in and out of the sleeping bag so I don't like to cover it with anything. I did coat the steps in liquid plastic to protect them longer and I don't slip on them either.
It seems like a long stretch to reach the ladder even if you are in the middle. I sleep up against the starboard hull opposite the Admiral and even keep a water bottle under the last step and have never knocked it over. I can't quite picture in my mind how one can bang their arm on that ladder. :|
LOUIS B HOLUB
Admiral
Posts: 1315
Joined: Wed Oct 19, 2005 7:40 am
Location: 1999 Mac-X, Nissan 50 HP, Kemah, TX, "Holub Boat"

Re: Companion Way Ladder, OUCH!!

Post by LOUIS B HOLUB »

James V wrote: Anybody do the same?
Strangely, recently I found myself bumping my right elbow when walking, working , reaching, etc. always awake, and the soreness was aweful. Only way I solved it was repeating -- "watch that corner, watch that elbow, watch out, be careful, stop bumping it, just quit it, etc"
Yeah, I know, talking to onself doesnt sound to 'balanced, but anyway, it worked. Elbow is okay now.

I dont know a solution to prevent bumping things when in the bed, especially in the cramped quarters in a sailboat bunk :wink:
James V
Admiral
Posts: 1705
Joined: Sat Jan 22, 2005 9:33 am
Sailboat: MacGregor 26M
Location: Key West, Fl USA, 26M 06, Merc 50hp BF "LYNX"

Post by James V »

I am 6'4" and sleep at an angle usually, Just moving my arm up over my head I get close to the ladder. I will let you know how the foam turns out..
User avatar
bastonjock
Admiral
Posts: 1161
Joined: Fri May 25, 2007 10:41 pm
Location: Lincolnshire United Kingdom Mac 26X

Post by bastonjock »

i sympathise with you james,my arm doesnt ache but my ribs do :( i cracked a couple last sat,i was lazing in the bath and decided i wanted a smoke,so i reached over,i stretched a little to far and slipped,i came straight down on the edge of the tub.........yeeeeeeeeouch,the lingo was a bit stronger than that at the time :D
User avatar
Ivan Awfulitch
First Officer
Posts: 240
Joined: Tue May 15, 2007 5:03 pm
Sailboat: MacGregor 26X
Location: Akron, OH - Docked at Catawba Island, OH

Re: Companion Way Ladder, OUCH!!

Post by Ivan Awfulitch »

James V wrote:I had pulled some muscles raising anchor a month ago and those was still hurting, I woke up last night and had heard a bump and my arm was hurting and then I realized that I had swung my arm in the night and hit the companion way ladder, Must have done it sever times as my arm is sore in several different spots. Anybody do the same?

Anybody put anything against it to stop it? I wrapped some foam around one and I have some 1 1/2 close cell that I can fit on it if that does not solve it.
We swing the ladder up on our X and use a bungee cord to keep it up when sleeping. Makes it so much easier to get in too. Simply unbolt the ladder and installed plastic lumber blocks (about 1" thick) as a spacer and added longer stainless bolts. Just have to watch that the blocks aren't too long or the ladder will not clear the rear settee.
User avatar
Catigale
Site Admin
Posts: 10421
Joined: Fri Jun 11, 2004 5:59 pm
Sailboat: MacGregor 26X
Location: Admiral .............Catigale 2002X.......Lots of Harpoon Hobie 16 Skiffs....Island 17
Contact:

Post by Catigale »

I used quickpins on my :macx: stairs for a couple seasons but found the factory method of friction holding the stairs in any position to be better for cockpit movement than the stairs being removable.
eric3a

Post by eric3a »

..
Last edited by eric3a on Tue Mar 11, 2008 9:32 pm, edited 1 time in total.
James V
Admiral
Posts: 1705
Joined: Sat Jan 22, 2005 9:33 am
Sailboat: MacGregor 26M
Location: Key West, Fl USA, 26M 06, Merc 50hp BF "LYNX"

Post by James V »

I don't think that the ladder on the M can swing up. It is part of the support of the cockpit and I would not want to rig such a thing. I also need to be able to get topside in a hurry and I do need the ladder.

I wraped some 1/2 blue backpacker around one side. So far, so good.
James V
Admiral
Posts: 1705
Joined: Sat Jan 22, 2005 9:33 am
Sailboat: MacGregor 26M
Location: Key West, Fl USA, 26M 06, Merc 50hp BF "LYNX"

Post by James V »

Best soultion.

Take the seat cusion that you do not need when moving up the galley and jam it under the ladder.

Spair pillow on the glass where the galley was, do not move all the way forward.

Enough padding to make it work
User avatar
bastonjock
Admiral
Posts: 1161
Joined: Fri May 25, 2007 10:41 pm
Location: Lincolnshire United Kingdom Mac 26X

Post by bastonjock »

as your in the middle of the bahamas somwhere,i suppose that there are not any diy stores near by,but i would be looking at pipe lagging/insulation,that may be a cheap and effective fix
User avatar
Catigale
Site Admin
Posts: 10421
Joined: Fri Jun 11, 2004 5:59 pm
Sailboat: MacGregor 26X
Location: Admiral .............Catigale 2002X.......Lots of Harpoon Hobie 16 Skiffs....Island 17
Contact:

Post by Catigale »

Eric - around 2000 the ballast tank valve moved forward and the hump was replaced with a companionway ladder.
James V
Admiral
Posts: 1705
Joined: Sat Jan 22, 2005 9:33 am
Sailboat: MacGregor 26M
Location: Key West, Fl USA, 26M 06, Merc 50hp BF "LYNX"

Post by James V »

I had to pust the cushion somewhere. Not really in the way or took up wanted space.
Retcoastie
Captain
Posts: 673
Joined: Sat Sep 16, 2006 7:00 am
Sailboat: MacGregor 26X
Location: Gray Hawk, Kentucky 2002 X "Last Flight"

X ladder

Post by Retcoastie »

I used a wood rasp and filed a notch about 3/8 " deep in the front edge of the companionway lip where the ladder rods are. This way the ladder folds up vertically with a bungee holding it in place. The head door opens completely and no hassle getting in or out of rear berth.
Post Reply