I've got a friend looking at a 1989 45 Viking, One of the big detractors is the ladder to the bridge. Has anyone seen this or a similar boat with a replacement set of steps created for it?
There's thread on THT on this very topic, since I asked there several years ago. Just do a search there for "flybridge stairs" to find it. Don't think I can post a link here. I think it'll be tough on that Viking since there's not a ton of room there.
Pipewelders has made a motorized lift that mounts to the ladder for people that can't make it up the ladder.
Thanks, but he's not that old or an invalid by any means. He's just a big tall guy that doesn't want to climb a ladder all the time.
Then unless he has wings or the ability for a large leap, he should be looking at an Express or in the case of Bertram, there was a 46 Moppie on each of the two major listing sites.
Fished on an older custom sf boat built in Stuart that had a ladder made with teak, had larger step pads, a better handrail, and moved the base out some for a better angle. It was much better than a standard metal flybridge ladder.
I second the express comment. Staircases take up more space than you think. There's room in the saloon, but also the bridge. The staircase needs a wide opening. I've seen a modern 52' Viking where they had they replaced the standard, sideways ladder with one in the cockpit going up stern to bow at a lesser degree but took up more room. You MIGHT be able to have a different ladder fabricated with the base further away from the bulkhead, but you're going to be losing cockpit space.
I had the same perspective when I rebuilt a 53c. I found this "ladder" at Sam's, and I was able to modify it for use aboard the convertible. works like a ladder, but feels like steps.