I also use a telescoping 3 step Windline ladder under the Hermco bracket/swim platform. It's a clever design that slides out through a couple of U-shaped brackets lined with teflon, so it fits underneath the platform and doesn't clutter up the topside. The platform is only a couple of inches above the water however, so I can still get on it without using the ladder unless I'm using a tank. I ran a line across the transom between the towing eyes that provides a good handhold for getting on the platform.