How Do You Board a RIB from the water?

MASATS · 25 March 2009, 20:09

Any ideas on the proper swim ladders or platforms would be appreciated. Also any other methods which would be convenient and cost effective.

Nasher · 25 March 2009, 20:46

The two attached images show my 'cut and shut' folding ladder solution.

Most ladders are too wide for the transom of even a large RIB due to the lack of transom space, so I sourced a Stainless one off ebay, cut several inches out of it through the middle, and welded it back together so its just wide enough for a foot.

The Smaller Nashers use it all the time whilst anchored off the beach.
One of the images is them and a friend using it to climb on board time and time again to use the boat as a diving platform.

Davybuoy has been known to use the cavitation plate of his outboard and the hydraulics as an improvised 'Stana Diver Lift' after a particularly tiresome dive!
He also has a very neat folding ladder on his SR5.4 that is shaped and fits over the tubes.
You can just see it on the third image.

Nasher

limeydal · 26 March 2009, 03:54

Nasher,
love that cut down job ! Excellent

Damn, why didn't I think of that.
I have a similar fold down setup(but original width )
Does just about squeeze in on my XS 550 but, you have got me thinking to change it now
Thanks for the great idea.

Masats, got a fold down from West Marine and works well after modifying the attachment to the transom.Cut off the mounting brackets/ cut and rotated the tube and joined in the middle. So formed a solid top rung ,which I U bolted to the transom. Has standoff feet against the transom, so no pinched fingers
Good for my little monsters coming back from the deep

cheers Dal

fred bolton · 26 March 2009, 07:36

This one's free, lie on your back in the water place both legs as far as possible over the tubes and then a hand to hand pull from someone in the boat will get you back aboard

Nasher · 26 March 2009, 12:55

Limey

Kids (and Dads) the same the world over eh?

Fred

How do you decide who stays in the boat whilst the rest of you brew up on the beach?

Nasher.

chewy · 26 March 2009, 13:03

A strop clipped between lifelines works well as a step.

jyasaki · 26 March 2009, 16:10

I find rope ladders pretty useless on inflatables. They swing up under the boat when you put weight on them.

I had a bit of an advantage when fitting a ladder, as I've got a motor pod that doubles as sort of a swim step. I fitted a fishbone ladder for reboarding divers (works fully kitted up less fins.) Had a friend weld up the ladder from 1" aluminum box tubing, then pounded a 3/4 solid aluminum rod down the top center rib for strength. The bracket is stainless (two ears with a hole drilled through.) A trailer hitch pin holds the ladder in place.

Best pic I have of the setup...

jky

solos60 · 26 March 2009, 16:20

After a lot of trial and error I found that a piece of webbing connected to the base of my A-Frame with a loop at the other end didn't harm the tubes and allows me to get a step up into my RIB.
The short piece of aluminium flat bar zap strapped in the loop provides enough weight to sink the webbing and holds the loop open to put your foot into it.
When not in use it's just a soft pile of webbing out of the way in the area behind the rear seat.

Trickdog · 26 March 2009, 17:47

The 'Folding Ladder for Inflatable Dinghy' at the bottom of this page http://www.compass24.com/web/catalog...arding_ladders is contoured to hange over the tubes. Don't know what the quality is like but might be worth considering?

Jeff · 26 March 2009, 21:49

This is the same principle - a lot more $ $ $ but very good quality. Bought one a few years ago when the £:$ was much better

Really strong and well made. Even the caribiner to clip to a fixing/U bolt is tops ! ........ and it does fit over wide tubes

http://www.defender.com/product.jsp?...92384&id=97882

Jeff

Jeff · 26 March 2009, 21:56

... and here it is in action

fred bolton · 26 March 2009, 22:58

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nasher

Limey

Kids (and Dads) the same the world over eh?

Fred

How do you decide who stays in the boat whilst the rest of you brew up on the beach?

Nasher.

Errrrrrr the Captain

Hightower · 27 March 2009, 00:22

Here's my method for getting into the water

dwalters · 27 March 2009, 13:14

Never had the problem if i'm honest; unless you are diving the easiest is just go to the stern of the boat, put your foot on the fin above the prob, a hand on the a-frame and step right in. Cheap also!

JSP · 27 March 2009, 16:37

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hightower

Here's my method for getting into the water

Love it!

m chappelow · 27 March 2009, 16:48

how about coming over the stern using a hand strop hanging off the A frame as the rnli crews do , granted they have very little transom to get over .

walruz · 28 March 2009, 00:01

I'm with dwalters. As long as your engine is not running!!! just climb in over the stern using the anti cav plate as a foot rest. I don't ahve an A frame and this is still a p1ss easy way of getting back in.

Ian

neilda · 06 June 2009, 11:30

I've just bought a nylon rope ladder for my rib in anticipation of the sun shining and me conquering (following the good advice here) my fear of getting too close to land!

Where would be the best spot to attach a rope ladder?

Is the base of an A frame strong enough? Son probably 5 stone, dad 16+ !

This would be temporary only and I have also got some flat fenders to slide under the ropes.

I can't quite see where would be the best place and I don't want to drill anything.

JSP · 06 June 2009, 11:42

Quote:

Originally Posted by neilda

I've just bought a nylon rope ladder for my rib in anticipation of the sun shining and me conquering (following the good advice here) my fear of getting too close to land!

Where would be the best spot to attach a rope ladder?

Is the base of an A frame strong enough? Son probably 5 stone, dad 16+ !

This would be temporary only and I have also got some flat fenders to slide under the ropes.

I can't quite see where would be the best place and I don't want to drill anything.

I just tied mine to the grab handles on the tubes. Haven't used it in water yet but gave it ago for getting on the boat with it on the trailer. Held up fine but was bloody hard to do.