Ladder and swim platform for a 20 footer??

[JW-Tex]

Need to put a ladder with a swim platform on the back of my 20 foot Center Console Outboard model, I have trim tabs so looking for something that will not get in the way of the tabs. I have twin 4 year olds a 6 year old and a wife that refuses to use the rope ladder I already have!

Recommendations appreciated....

[Bushwacker]

It's not that hard to make one that's better than almost anything you can buy, and ladders are unnecessary if you do it right. A friend of mine and I each made one like this for our Seafari's over 30 years ago.

Here's wife and daughter using it in the Abaco's in late '70's.

Bought an 8' length of stainless tubing and a 1" thick piece of teak; used a conduit bender on the tubing and his Shopsmith to cut the planks and drill the holes to mount the planks. Took us about 8 hrs to make 2 very nice and light half platforms. Mounted to transom using stainless bimini top fittings which allow it to fold up when not in use. Removal of 2 screws allowed it to be taken off for fishing. If you mount it correctly (right at the waterline, so it's just about awash when someone's on it; most swim platforms are mounted way too high!), you might not need a ladder. I did have a removable 3-step ladder I could use on this one when I had someone along not agile enough to get aboard w/o a ladder. If your wife and kids can get out of a pool w/o a ladder, they would not need one for this type of platform if you mount it right. For scuba, if you just take off tank in the water, you still don't need a ladder!

[wildlifeone]

I have a port and starboard platform and ladder that came off a 20 Master angler I am going to sell. it is stainless steel and starboard. Let em know if you are intereted, might save you some time and money.Thanks

[NoBones]

I used a standard teak dive platform and replaced
the the single step with a drop down 3 step.
Trust me, the women and children will thank-you
for the extra steps. I have to admit the older I
get the more I like it as well. It folds up great
and makes it real easy to get back in.
Oh yeah, I had to cut the teak lateral slat close to
the transom to allow for the trim tab. No big deal at all.



See ya, Ken

[Caymanboy]

Or you could put these on.

[eggsuckindog]

Absolutely the 3 step - I think mine is the same brand as Ken's and its worked for 5 yrs at least. In deep water you can't hardly get up on 1 step. We also use it in shallow water by using a velcro tie to tie up the last step so it doesn't bump. I'll go check my brand - Windline got it from these guys

http://americanmarinesrv.com/americanmarine/p1.htm