Adding a swim step - ladder to platform - need advice, ideas

[bergermaister]

I'm looking at adding a folding telescoping swimstep / ladder to the bottom of the platform this winter. I have two platform brackets and definitely have weight limitations on the platform. There has been a little spider cracking in the gel on the transom around the mounts for years but it doesn't appear to ever get any worse.

So I'm debating mounting it directly in the middle, or off to the side and kind of straddling a platform bracket for more support. Going with a simple 2-step ladder.

https://www.overtons.com/overtons-slide-in-2-step-telescopic-stainless-steel-swim-platform-ladder-735795.html

Wondering what other who have done this mod did and if you've had any issues?

Should I consider adding a center platform bracket for more support?

Does your ladder ever want to slide out and drag while you're underway?

[HFarr]

There is a whole thread on this topic somewhere here. Only about 6-8 months ago I believe.

Sent from my SM-G781V using Tapatalk

[MJHSupra]

Is your swim platform smooth on the underside?

My 2018 is a lot sturdier vs my previous 2007 - the mounting to the transom and the construction of the swim platform.

The original 2007 platform was not solid on the underside and there was a lip around the exterior of it. Even when I changed it to a solid surf platform, I also wondered if the original mounting brackets were strong enough to support add'l weight and strain of peeps getting up. Thus I never mounted one.

[Hayden]

Here is the thread you want:

https://forum.moomba.com/showthread.php?33256-Ladder-for-Moomba-Max

[bergermaister]

Thanks for the link. Guess I wasn't searching hard enough.

Bottom of the platform is not smooth and overall not very thick so I may have to thru bolt it... and there is a lip. Not ideal so I may also need to put a spacer under it.

Also thinking now maybe I need a 3-4 step ladder vs a 2. If it will fit, why not. I think my biggest concern is the strain on the transom mounts from the leverage the ladder gives from someone climbing up. But then again, maybe no different than somebody lugging themselves on from the water...

We are pushing into our 50s, parents in their 70-80s, and now the grand babies. Quite the diverse group on any given outing.

[MJHSupra]

Thanks for the link. Guess I wasn't searching hard enough.

Bottom of the platform is not smooth and overall not very thick so I may have to thru bolt it... and there is a lip. Not ideal so I may also need to put a spacer under it.

Also thinking now maybe I need a 3-4 step ladder vs a 2. If it will fit, why not. I think my biggest concern is the strain on the transom mounts from the leverage the ladder gives from someone climbing up. But then again, maybe no different than somebody lugging themselves on from the water...

We are pushing into our 50s, parents in their 70-80s, and now the grand babies. Quite the diverse group on any given outing.

Thru Bolt would be the way to go. I've seen peeps putting on a new decking pad to cover the bolts, but not necessary in my opinion.

[HFarr]

I don't think you would put any more strain on the platform brackets with a ladder vs no ladder. Same weight with people standing/climbing on it. Those brackets are pretty stout and placement is good. I would worry more about the ladder bracket mounting. Good 3M contact glue would help too.

Sent from my SM-G781V using Tapatalk

[Tommy2slow]

I think the ladder might put more stress on the mounts because the ladder will lengthen the “lever” when someone is standing on the rungs. I am by no means an engineer of any kind but I would think that if the distance from the mounting points on the transom are further away from the rungs of the ladder than the outer edge of the platform it is going to increase the load on those mounts when someone is standing on the ladder. Even more so if the ladder is used while the boat is on the trailer as the water won’t be providing buoyancy to the person on the ladder.

[haknslash]

It’s not the swim deck brackets one has to worry about. Don’t forget people are floating so it’s not like it is their total weight. I’ve had 3 people standing on the swim platform at once, so if the brackets can support that weight then it can support the partial weight of someone getting out that’s in the water..

I have a ladder but never installed it. I was just going to do what others did by simply screwing them into from the bottom but after digging into this more during the season I’ve decided to through bolt mine. The core of the swim deck is not solid but rather foam. I did not want to rely on just the thin fiberglass of the bottom section to hold my weight. You can buy boots that have a flush head on them so that when you do a small countersink it all sits very flush.

[Holdmybeer]

Everyone that is looking to do this, I recommend thru bolting also.

If you have access or willing pay for it, I would take all thread and cut the length needed. Next, have fender washers or large flat circles welded to the end to create a larger surface area on the top side of the platform. The thin washer/sheet metal will also hide better under the sea deck. This also doesn't require counter sink or bore into the glass.

To prevent water soaking, I would fill the holes with epoxy after putting the bolts through the platform.

[haknslash]

Yup +1 on adding epoxy or smear 4200 all in there to protect the foam. Swim platform is always soaked or buried deep under water.

[CrackedPatella]

I went a different route on adding a ladder to the platform. This one lays on top of the platform, simple to make, and it's portable.

My wife loved the ladder we had on our Yamaha 212X and hated that we weren't able to have one on the Kaiyen.

The wood is flat 1/2" oak from a neighbor's staircase that he was replacing. I used two stainless steel hooks to attach to the grab bar. It works great and received the wife seal of approval.

30900

30899

[MJHSupra]

Hoping the next gen of Supra models might address this swim step thing . . .


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[bdavis]

I just added a ladder to my swim platform on a 2017 Moomba Mojo
I first removed the original black platform Gatorstep.
That was a pain: pry bar, left a ton of adhesive. I used several coats of Goo Gone Citrus adhesive removal, power washer, and metal scraper.
I ordered new Gatorstep direct - Black Friday 15% off
I installed this ladder using 2" x 5/16" stainless steel elevator bolts, washer an nut Qty (4) (hardware from Bolt Depot

White Water Marine B00301USL-316 316 SS Under Platform Shelved Ladder, Spring

$200.77Unit price $200.77

Item number: 27663158922731077310803107831079

[bdavis]

I just added a ladder to my swim platform on a 2017 Moomba Mojo
I first removed the original black platform Gatorstep.
That was a pain: pry bar, left a ton of adhesive. I used several coats of Goo Gone Citrus adhesive removal, power washer, and metal scraper.
I ordered new Gatorstep direct - Black Friday 15% off
I installed this ladder using 2" x 5/16" stainless steel elevator bolts, washer an nut Qty (4) (hardware from Bolt Depot

White Water Marine B00301USL-316 316 SS Under Platform Shelved Ladder, Spring

$200.77Unit price $200.77

Item number: 27663158922731077310803107831079

Bolt info, and I used 3M 4200 to seal the top and bottom of holes

[bergermaister]

Nicely done. The undermount is much cleaner IMHO. I was a little disappointed in the "marine grade" stainless I paid extra for to mount the ladder already is showing a few little signs of rust. My wife, mother-in-law, and a few eh, heavier friends, commented that this was one of the best upgrades I have ever done. LOL

This last summer there was one instance where I thought I had a bunch of seaweed caught in the prop as the boat was pulling hard and barely moving - we had been pulling up on a beach all day but to get to it we had to coast through the slime. At any rate, it turns out that it wasn't seaweed but rather the ladder had not been stowed tight and had dropped down kind of acting like a wedge (think Malibu). I figured it was toast but it, and the platform, held up just fine to the thrashing. Just takes that once to make you start double checking it every time though.

[HFarr]

I'm going to have to break down and do that upgrade myself too before long. Looks and sounds like you did it right!

Sent from my SM-G781V using Tapatalk

[Holdmybeer]

I'm going to have to break down and do that upgrade myself too before long. Looks and sounds like you did it right!

Sent from my SM-G781V using Tapatalk

I'm with you, but not having a ladder has been my motivation to go to the gym before.
I only wish I had this after showing off on a kneeboard. 40 something knees just don't recover like they used to.

[HFarr]

Oh, I know all too well about that! LOL!

Sent from my SM-G781V using Tapatalk

[MJHSupra]

I just added a ladder to my swim platform on a 2017 Moomba Mojo
I first removed the original black platform Gatorstep.
That was a pain: pry bar, left a ton of adhesive. I used several coats of Goo Gone Citrus adhesive removal, power washer, and metal scraper.
I ordered new Gatorstep direct - Black Friday 15% off
I installed this ladder using 2" x 5/16" stainless steel elevator bolts, washer an nut Qty (4) (hardware from Bolt Depot

White Water Marine B00301USL-316 316 SS Under Platform Shelved Ladder, Spring



Great add-on and not expensive for wake boat upgrades.