Ladder building material

abl1111 · #1 07-15-2006, 02:07 PM

I want to build a small ladder for my 23' Tsunami - it allows you to go from the cabin to the bow - quickly. I have the original ladder that is made out of a really light-weight moulded plastic ( mine cracked in a really b*tchy spot that cannot be replaced )

I want to copy the original design because it allows the ladder to hinge/swivel closed on itself and stow easier than a fixed style.

The question: What is a really lightweight material that is strong, maintenance freeand easy to work with ? i.e. the properties of wood, but lighter ? Starboard might not have the needed strength to hold bolts laterally...

Thx

eggsuckindog · #2 07-15-2006, 05:57 PM

Mine broke also, starboard I think would be best to try

Capt Chuck · #3 07-15-2006, 08:47 PM

Alan

This might be a first but I bet that waterproof composite decking material you get at Home Depot would work. I think it is called Trex The thickness is 5/4 which finishes at 1". It can be shaped with standard wood working tools like starboard. Also some planks can be purchased that are "grooved" for steps and I bet it's cheaper also

NoBones · #4 07-15-2006, 10:46 PM

abl111, when you are through building your new ladder,
please let me know. I will buy it from you and/or make a
donation to this great site, and pay for the shipping.
My Secptre was stripped of all this stuff and I need a template.
Thanks, Ken

Bigshrimpin · #5 07-17-2006, 06:02 PM

Make one out of fiberglass.

RS · #6 07-17-2006, 07:19 PM

Quote:

The question: What is a really lightweight material that is strong, maintenance freeand easy to work with ? i.e. the properties of wood, but lighter ? Starboard might not have the needed strength to hold bolts laterally...
Thx

Starboard and trex are about 3x the weight of wood. I think the closest thing you'll find to what you want is ... wood.

abl1111 · #7 07-17-2006, 07:59 PM

I agree, wood is the lighest I can think of. Fiberglass sounds like too much hassle to build - it would be a lot of layup to make something that would need strength in every direction.

I was hoping one of you guys knew of some great 'stuff' that met the criteria.

I am still open for ideas though.

The original ladder was perfect - however not great quality. It looks like a it was a moulded pastic but there are a lot of voids in key areas (that's why my ladder failed, at least ). But, the design is perfect.

jongolds · #8 07-18-2006, 06:53 PM

I'd love to see what it looked like and how it stored as well. Mine also was stripped of this.
In the meantime, I was going to try an build some sort of ladder early this year but I've found that with the plywood panels that I put in to fill in the v-berth, it's not a bad step up to get on to the bow anyway. It's not great mind you but it wasn't bad enough to put that much work in to.

The best I could think of before I'd abandonded my ladder idea was PVC tubing but, I was told it wouldn't last if exposed to UV rays from the sun so then I thought of metal wire conduit..which of course would rust. Maybe those ideas can help get you somewhere though.

RS · #9 07-19-2006, 12:13 PM

Maybe you can rework part of an old/cheap extension or step ladder made of aluminum.

eggsuckindog · #10 07-19-2006, 05:14 PM

Quote:

Maybe you can rework part of an old/cheap extension or step ladder made of aluminum.

Its the folding aspect you have to consider, if it doesn't fold up like the original it would be a pain to store, that decking stuff would work as well I bet a bunch cheaper.