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Boat boarding

Discussion in 'General Yachting Discussion' started by Pascal, Nov 29, 2021.

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  1. Pascal, Dec 5, 2021
    #41
    Pascal

    Pascal Senior Member

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    Miami, FL
    These plastic steps are actually very sturdy and stable. We have a three stepper on the dock by our forward boarding gate. Mostly for crew use but most people could use it. A lot safer than scraping your butt on a wooden dock down to a swim platform

    2D463948-6F3C-4096-ABC9-B417B24A6AD4.jpeg


    These are our stairs, there are a couple of manufacturers here incl Tracy and Marquipt and are the same in the background of the picture posted earlier.

    The steps are always level thanks to the bracket against the hull. Takes 15 seconds to connect or disconnect. When we leave our home dock on day trips we usually leave them in the dock.

    as mentioned we ve had guests well into their 80s and they had no issues with them. As to strength, last week we pulled a 200 lbs washing machine and carried it down the stairs at high tide. Two of us plus the machine... much have been 500/550 lbs.

    FC9D0431-0B3A-4A0A-8DA3-816BCF9BC84A.jpeg

    76A615AA-4452-45D1-A09F-F5FBF4683128.jpeg

    Point of this thread was not to praise or bash specific builders but draw attention to an issue most first time buyers aren’t aware of. Till they have to help their friends on board their new toy.
  2. CWV, Dec 8, 2021
    #42
    CWV

    CWV Member

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    So how does the group feel about vessels with tumblehome which moves the boarding surface away from the dock, such as Hinckly and many Carolina SF boats?
    Strypes likes this.
  3. Mysteri, Apr 9, 2022
    #43
    Mysteri

    Mysteri New Member

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    We had the same issue getting our dogs on. I purchased a 30” round fender placed midship. This pushed the bow away from the dock and bringing the stern in very close.
  4. abfish, Apr 28, 2022
    #44
    abfish

    abfish New Member

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    Realizing that this is a "big boat" website, I'll mention that 10 years ago Sea Hunt began installing dive doors or side gates in their 27 ft. center consoles. My memory is that they were the first production builder to do so. The option was so well received that dive doors have become more and more common on this type of boat. In fact, if I were in the market for that size boat, side entry would be a requirement. It's just plain easier than stepping onto or straddling the gunwale each time you enter the vessel, whether at the dock or on the trailer.

    I toured a Fleming 55 at a boat show this year. I was highly impressed with the ease of boarding, thanks to side gates which accommodate boarding from both and high docks.
  5. motoryachtlover, Apr 28, 2022
    #45
    motoryachtlover

    motoryachtlover Senior Member

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    If Intrepid is considered a production builder I believe they were the first ones to introduce the side doors.
  6. Capt Ralph, Apr 28, 2022
    #46
    Capt Ralph

    Capt Ralph Senior Member

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    Boston Whaler had it long ago. It was not popular but fire dept and law enforcement shops did pick it up. Later Whaler kept it for their alloy commercial boats that quickly became the standard for the before mentioned.
    A few other retail shops have offered it with minimal results for the same last 20-30 years.
    NO, it is not a new idea.
    Suddenly; If you look now, lots of mfgs have it as an option or standard.

    I even was involved with a shop that would modify your boat to have a pull up side panel or fold down side hull part (copy of the Whaler design). That was in the 80s.
    Again, it's not a new idea.
  7. captholli, Apr 28, 2022
    #47
    captholli

    captholli Senior Member

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    Island Hopper Yachts built in Ft Pierce, FL. had side doors and half beam open transom dive steps in the late 80's early 90's
  8. Capt Ralph, Apr 28, 2022
    #48
    Capt Ralph

    Capt Ralph Senior Member

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    Yep, the dive boats did that also.
    So, Who can say the first. Idea has been around for a while.
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