I know a while back there was a discussion about various boarding steps. Bluewater Yachts used to make one that attached to the genoa track but no longer sells it. At the time I knew I had seen a cool product for boarding but couldn't find it again.
While we were out over Memorial Day weekend (trip log here) we spent one night at Poulsbo. Their docks are some of the lowest I have ever come across. It was quite a climb into the cockpit. There was one couple browsing the boats at the dock that were very interested in the Mac features and layout but when we offered for them to come on board she could not make the high climb into the boat. This got me looking again, and in a couple of this months publications I found ads for the product I was looking for.
It is the FenderStep, www.fenderstep.com , useful for boarding and as an additional fender. Should be good for low docks and for boarding from the dinghy if you tend to go in and out over the side (we mainly use the transom access for the dinghy.
Duane:
I have a fender step, it works. The issue I have is that there is to good place to tie it too, I am planning to buy a ring welded to a track slide, I can't remember the name (genoa slide??). I will tie one side of the fender step to the stanchion and the other end to the ring on the track slide.
I saw this gunwale ladder on Captain Steve's boat and it works great for getting in/off to the dingy from the side of the boat while at a mooring. Page 757 in W/M catalog, about $40. We also use it at our slip because of the high freeboard, again at the center of the outside of the cockpit. A fender keeps it from hitting the dock.
Good idea
Last edited by BK on Mon Jun 13, 2005 4:30 pm, edited 1 time in total.
My brother was up from Florida and after all of about 5 minutes designed a (on paper ) swim platform for my that lifts up out of the way does not conflict with the rudder and drops a ladder down into the water as its lowered . I am going to build it this summer and will post it when finished . If you have the Factory ladder already total cost should run under $200 .
The Fenderstep seems to want to be two things doing one thing at a time. If you use it for a fender then it's below the dock surface. If you use it for a step then it's useless as a fender. Wouldn't a one or two step gunwale mount hook ladder be more functional?
I use a gunwale ladder over the side. It allows me to get on the boat from a lift and is my preferred way to get in and out of the water. Works great and cost $50.
Terry Chiccino wrote:The Fenderstep seems to want to be two things doing one thing at a time. If you use it for a fender then it's below the dock surface. If you use it for a step then it's useless as a fender. Wouldn't a one or two step gunwale mount hook ladder be more functional?
Yeah, my thoughts exactly... note that even in their own advertising pictue (above) they're already using two normal fenders to do that job!
I see advantages in the fender step. It really serves multiple purposes, but not at the same time. When you need an extra fender it works for that, it would be partucularly good for rafting when you want a fender up at the rub rail rather than low. It would also work well for people who go through the locks alot, like we do. You need fenders up at the rub rail height on both sides. It's size makes it a lot thike a rafting cushion. (Even though we fender both sides in the locks our fenders rarely ever are even used. We are usually rafted to bigger boats who have bigger fenders out so our's just dangle in the gap and never touch anything. You do need them in the small lock on the wall however.)
Yet it can also be your step. It's not some big hard to store extra ladder. Even the smaller BWY genoa track one seems like it would need to be removed under way although I know Ray at BWY has left his in place for years. I can't see traveling around with the ladder hanging off the side. I doubt a standard 2 eye fender would work as a step, It would just fold in half under the weight. The eye location of the fender step is different and I'm sure the must have some internal stiffening to keep it from collapsing.
All in all it seems more useful than just a ladder and I'm sure at $69 it is cheaper than the BWY ladder.
I forgot I had one of those...been hidden away in my basement. I found the side boarding ladder more of pain that it was worth. We usually have our boat with full ballast at the dock... so it isn't really a problem.
that lifts up out of the way does not conflict with the rudder and drops a ladder down into the water as its lowered . I am going to build it this summer and will post it when finished . If you have the Factory ladder already total cost should run under $200 
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