Custom made boarding ladder

Trimix · 23 September 2013, 12:28

Can anyone recommend a good stainless steel fabricator.

I need a set of steps that will be good enough for me to use in full diving gear (twinset tanks) while wearing fins.

They will go over the side of the RIB, not the rear.

I want them to attach to the floor, curve up over the tube and down the side into the water. I imagine them being made of one tube, say two inches in diameter with steps of the same sticking out the sides. Thereby allowing for use in fins. A small section will stick out and touch the hull so when your on it your weight dosent push the ladder under the boat and holds it clear of the tube.

Also Id want it so the curved 'over the tube' section disconnects from the bit that sticks in the water. That way the whole lot can live in the console thus keeping the boat looking clean and uncluttered.

Any one know of someone that can make that ?

Miller · 23 September 2013, 14:10

Area?

thomas · 23 September 2013, 14:23

Google marine stainless steel uk

Neil Harvey · 23 September 2013, 14:26

Talk to Biffer if you're down Solent way

biffer · 23 September 2013, 15:02

Can do this if you're local

Trimix · 23 September 2013, 20:09

Well Im not local, but I need a really nice job done, so if you can do it, I can bring the boat down. Im happy to travel.

Have you some pictures / website that shows your work ?

Would my idea work in practice ?

biffer · 24 September 2013, 06:24

Not much on my website as I never update it and quite frankly don't need it for work. I can send you loads of pics of work I've done as for your ladder. You will need two bars that go over the tubes and then go into a Y before continuing down as a single spine. I did one before that attached to the side of the A frame. The leverage on the joint of a single bar was too much when a fully kitted diver got on one side of the ladder. Have a look at customrib.com and send me your details and I'll see what I can dig up in pics

Trimix · 24 September 2013, 08:01

OK, cheers Biffer. I will PM you my details so you can send some pics. Thanks.

Razorbill · 25 September 2013, 13:39

What's the problem with unkitting in the water? I dive from my Pacific 22 the tubes are huge and quite high out of the water so I have to clamber out over the sterndrive leg, not ideal I agree but I still de-kit in the water.
I have given quite a bit of thought to ladders over the side, that's quite a lot of strain, a fully kitted twin-set diver? I'm sure it could be done but the cost would be high, especially bending 2" pipe to suit the diameter of your tubes!
If you de-kitted in the water you could get away with a lighter ladder?

steco1958 · 25 September 2013, 16:01

I kit up and de kit in the water, we use a 6m lanyard clipped on to a suitable anchor point on rib.

The lanyard sinks and can be used for your 5m safety stop.

Steve

captnjack · 25 September 2013, 16:29

I dekit in the water. The issue I have found is hauling the tanks back aboard. Being forced to bend at the waist and then lever them up onto the tubes with your lower back muscles (instead of lifting with your legs) is REALLY bad for your spine.

If you can build a ladder do it. Your spine will thank you soon.

Timw44 · 25 September 2013, 19:49

It's even harder dragging a rebreather over the tubes....

Ribcraft built one with a small platform fixed to the A frame and the spine ladder hinged from that. It took me, a rebreather and two stages ok.

AJ. · 26 September 2013, 08:11

Having dived off many a rib (never my own!) The states of some dive ribs due to people hauling themselves over the tubes and scratching them from the accessories attached to bcd or wing is bad. I always kitted and dekitted in the water weight belt put on last and removed first. Deck crew hand the gear down or retrieve and it is easy with fins on to get out over the tubes.

biffer · 26 September 2013, 08:29

It's difficult checking your kit before a dive when you're already in the water, I would take a guess that most of you guys are PADI trained

AJ. · 26 September 2013, 09:20

Quote:

Originally Posted by biffer

It's difficult checking your kit before a dive when you're already in the water, I would take a guess that most of you guys are PADI trained

Ouch Padi v BSAC jab!

Actually I am a Padi Assistant Instructor and Master Scuba Diver. Not that I am one for ranks, I prefer experience (hours) over card bragging.

I agree Biff, there is no reason why you cant carry out some of your buddy checks on the boat but making sure your BCD/Wing is inflated before lowering into the water. To be honest I regularly kitted on the boat with people I hadn't dived with before and backwards roll of the rib. In a dry suit (neoprene) or wet suit as long as you remove your weights first you will have air in your bcd/wing the moment you reach the surface so you will be positively buoyant when you remove your kit. Leave your mask and fins on and its easy to get back onto the rib.

Trimix · 26 September 2013, 09:24

Thanks for feedback - it makes me rethink the whole thing.

But both of us would rather kit up on board - as its easier to double check everything then flop in ready. I also like to check my wifes kit out before hand as she has less experience than me. (not that Im perfect, I have been known to get it without fins before)

As for returning - I dont like the back strain or possible abuse to the tubes when hauling your kit in if you dekit in the water. With singles, thats OK, twins, mmm - its quite hard.

I do like to simply step up a ladder, fins on, and then sit down and remove my kit. With fins on I still have some control should I fall back in, or need to assist another diver.

Neither of us have a weight belt, its all attached to the backplate so there is no chance of it slipping off. Our dive style is more TDI than BSAC/PADI.

Also, its just the two of us, no crew, so whatever the solution it needs to be foolpoof, fast and simple.

Im going to go and see Biffer and we can have a look at some solutions with the RIB there and find out what works best.

I need it to be both practical, safe and look right on the boat.

Maximus · 26 September 2013, 10:03

Quote:

Originally Posted by biffer

It's difficult checking your kit before a dive when you're already in the water, I would take a guess that most of you guys are PADI trained

... What was it PADI used to stand for???

AJ. · 26 September 2013, 10:47

Quote:

Originally Posted by Maximus

... What was it PADI used to stand for???

Don't start turning this into a Padi V BSAC thread Matthew

I never have been bothered which training any diver has had whether PADI, BSAC, SSI etc and I have happily buddied with them.

Trimix · 26 September 2013, 11:34

AJ, where do you do your diving then ? If you fancy meeting up for a dive from your / my RIB let me know.

mitchc · 26 September 2013, 11:41

We dive from our rib on a regular basis. The conditions dictate if it's kit on in the boat or on the water. Eg down in the benign SOF in July we just chucked the kit in and put it on in the water.
But in the lumpy swell near Falmouth it was kit on whilst on the boat.
Re buddy checks, it's just as easy to do them in the water, just needs a slightly different method.
In both conditions though it's always kit off in the water, back into the boat ( via ladder or finning up over the side) and then lifting the kit back in. If there's some one already back on the boat they lift whilst it's pushed from below.
Getting the kit back on board is done with teamwork rather than one persons strength.
TBH if you are worried about a few marks from the kit on the tubes, should you really using the boat for diving? No matter how careful you are a wayward stainless buckle will easily mark the boat.
A nice ladder over the side would be useful but not to be used fully kitted...,IMHO

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