Dive Ladder Ideas

Stoo · 12 April 2020, 17:27

Hi all..

I've been using this 5.9m Zodiac Hurricane for years for diving. Adding a dive ladder has always been on my to-do list, but I always decided against it. (That's my way of saying I haven't got a clue how to proceed). With all of this corona downtime, I'm feeling motivated!

So I am wondering if any of you have any photos to share that might serve as inspiration. To be clear, I am not looking for a little hang-over-the-tubes thing, but a tilt up, heavy duty ladder, capable of safely supporting 300 pounds or so. (I have some large buddies) . Ideally, it would be removeable by way of a pin system or similar. I have always assumed this would need to fastened to my bar at the back. I'm prepared to sacrifice the Jerry can holders as they never get used anyway since I moved to a 4 stroke.

I still think I would ditch tanks in the water, and haul them in. We all wear doubles and rebreathers here, and that's a lot to be walking around with in a small boat.

So if you have any bright ideas, please share your photos! I have a friend who can fabricate something out of aluminum and powdercoat it, and I think that would be the best way to go.

Thanks!

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Locozodiac · 12 April 2020, 18:01

These 2 works fine, just remove your skin/scuba diving equipment before stepping in, take advantage to fabricate them while locked at home.

Happy Boating

Stoo · 12 April 2020, 18:04

Thanks Loco. You don't find that the lower rungs push under the hull when someone uses it?

jeffstevens763@g · 12 April 2020, 18:28

Look up rib ladders by stul back in October

Stoo · 12 April 2020, 19:10

Quote:

Originally Posted by jeffstevens763@g

Look up rib ladders by stul back in October

Awesome Jeff... Thank you. I tried a search before a posted, but apparently missed this. There's some solid options in there.

Locozodiac · 12 April 2020, 19:34

Quote:

Originally Posted by Stoo

Thanks Loco. You don't find that the lower rungs push under the hull when someone uses it?

Usually lock my knee against the front tube, then stand up fast on any rug that matches my height properly while hand pulling myself in aided with an extra rope tied to the opposite tube to ease the climbing on board operation. Now we're champs...

Happy Boating

diver 1 · 13 April 2020, 15:38

I've seen / used quite a few. When I bought the Ribcraft it had a rib boarder ladder fitted to the A frame. Its the best ladder I've used by miles. It'll take a fully dressed diver easily providing A) the boat is substantial enougth B) the A frame is a solid twin leg job and secure to the deck. My only negative view regarding it is the stay chain can rattle against the A frame tubing when not in use, but this can be solved by wrapping bungee around it. Great bit of kit.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6mecCWgKgf0

https://shirley-west-midlands.cylex-...-20049842.html

phantom 19 · 13 April 2020, 17:27

Look at a Garelick 19804 4 rung sport diver ladder, they are quick release, the mounting plate could be attached to the a frame. I’ve had the 3 rung version on various transoms for at least 15 years, brilliant ladder and I expect a lot easier to source in Canada than the UK!

pagick · 13 April 2020, 19:18

In my sib I use a rope and pvc home made ladder. It works ok with a solid grab handle in the boat. But if you want a custom design that mounts to your tower and swings up to the tower I have an idea for you. But I need a pic of your tower from the back or front so I can see proportions from that angle. Also what are the gas can trays made out of? I’ll do a quick sketch.

Tim M · 13 April 2020, 21:57

Had a new 7m tender delivered to a yacht I was working on a little while ago. Came with a very nice looking stainless ladder on the aframe as had been specced as owners were very keen divers. First outing revealed the ladder was a total nightmare. The pegs were far too small and the whole thing was just very awkward - the little teak platform at the top served no real purpose other than to get in the way.

After a bit of research and a recommendation we replaced it with what was without doubt the best ladder I've ever come across on a RIB. Can be mounted anywhere on the tube (we mounted it next to the helm position so the crew member driving could easily flip it in and then pull it back without getting in anyones way), wide rungs and very solid. Would certainly fit another of these.

https://www.armstrongnautical.com/ar...-rib-ladders-2

Ferryman · 13 April 2020, 22:04

Is that like the one mounted on the Sealegs?

Tim M · 13 April 2020, 22:09

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ferryman

Is that like the one mounted on the Sealegs?

That appears to be something different:

RickW · 13 April 2020, 23:29

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tim M

Had a new 7m tender delivered to a yacht I was working on a little while ago. Came with a very nice looking stainless ladder on the aframe as had been specced as owners were very keen divers. First outing revealed the ladder was a total nightmare. The pegs were far too small and the whole thing was just very awkward - the little teak platform at the top served no real purpose other than to get in the way.

After a bit of research and a recommendation we replaced it with what was without doubt the best ladder I've ever come across on a RIB. Can be mounted anywhere on the tube (we mounted it next to the helm position so the crew member driving could easily flip it in and then pull it back without getting in anyones way), wide rungs and very solid. Would certainly fit another of these.

https://www.armstrongnautical.com/ar...-rib-ladders-2

Trouble is with the Armstrong option is its 304 stainless rather than 316 which as any diver would know is not as good as 316

No idea why a marine ladder is using the poorer alloy

jeffstevens763@g · 14 April 2020, 08:08

my personal preference is the rungs set to my step patten so that my right leg can swing into the boat as i reach the last step also with a hand hold on the A frame to assist pulling inward with all the diving kit on including fins especially if it's rough the bottom rung level on each side so to start level with both feet on the ladder

silverplate · 15 April 2020, 02:29

My ladder bolts on the transom and the two rubbers set on the tube one on the top and one on the side since I'm able to fabricate stuff I just decided to build this myself because I've had a rope ladder it was so hard to get up.

Andre · 15 April 2020, 07:31

we have installed a few of these and they seem to do the job.

Nasher · 15 April 2020, 08:37

From experience anything that is held rigidly vertical below the waterline is far superior, as the rope ladder type just pivot under the hull when you put any weight on them.

The type shown in Jeff Stevens post are great, but as has been mentioned they can rattle a bit.

I had a situation once where a diver came up in a huge amount of pain and completely exhausted having aggravated a bad back whilst underwater, and was unable to do anything but hang onto the lifelines. His buddy and I managed to get his weight belt, cylinder/stab jacket off, but because of his pain couldn’t physically drag him in the boat and risk doing him any damage.

We were lucky that day to have two RIBs covering two pairs of divers so I walked him round to the engine, got him astride it and used the trim/tilt to lift him out of the water sat astride the leg.
The other boat came around behind him and we just lifted him backwards onto their tube.

I’m sure a rigid ladder that day would have just about been possible for him.

The poor fellow suffered jibes for years about his Stannah Diver lift.

Nasher.

Andre · 15 April 2020, 09:13

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nasher

From experience anything that is held rigidly vertical below the waterline is far superior, as the rope ladder type just pivot under the hull when you put any weight on them.

The type shown in Jeff Stevens post are great, but as has been mentioned they can rattle a bit.

I had a situation once where a diver came up in a huge amount of pain and completely exhausted having aggravated a bad back whilst underwater, and was unable to do anything but hang onto the lifelines. His buddy and I managed to get his weight belt, cylinder/stab jacket off, but because of his pain couldn’t physically drag him in the boat and risk doing him any damage.

We were lucky that day to have two RIBs covering two pairs of divers so I walked him round to the engine, got him astride it and used the trim/tilt to lift him out of the water sat astride the leg.
The other boat came around behind him and we just lifted him backwards onto their tube.

I’m sure a rigid ladder that day would have just about been possible for him.

The poor fellow suffered jibes for years about his Stannah Diver lift.

Nasher.

Just the job for a Jason's Cradle

RickW · 15 April 2020, 09:51

Quote:

Originally Posted by silverplate

My ladder bolts on the transom and the two rubbers set on the tube one on the top and one on the side since I'm able to fabricate stuff I just decided to build this myself because I've had a rope ladder it was so hard to get up.

Have you got any pics of the result?

jeffstevens763@g · 15 April 2020, 18:57

The type shown in Jeff Stevens post are great, but as has been mentioned they can rattle a bit.
When I had it made the hinge had nylon washers and was held up to the A frame with a tight bungee no rattles