General Ladder Tips

Boat ladders come in many different shapes, sizes, and styles. Just as there are hundreds of types of boats, there are hundreds of kinds of boat ladders. As a result, permanently mounting a ladder to your boat is different in every situation. There are, however, a few generalized guidelines to consider, regardless of your ladder mounting situation.

• Consider having the ladder professionally installed. Having your ladder professionally installed assures it’s done properly and safely. Also, professional installation is a safeguard against warranty issues should the ladder fail due to a defect.
• Read the instructions. Mounting and assembly instructions are included with your boat ladder. If you intend to install the ladder yourself, read and follow the instructions so the ladder is installed properly and won't fail you down the road.
• Cutting and drilling will be required. Depending on where the ladder is mounted, you will have to drill into your deck or hull. Pre-drilled holes on the ladder may also need a little extra drilling in order to allow the bolts to fit properly. Additionally, ladder tubes may need to be cut down to match the curve of your hull.
• Install a backing plate for additional support. When someone is climbing your boat ladder, a large amount of stress is being exerted over a small area of the hull. This can cause the hull to buckle or the screws to loosen. A metal backing plate helps mitigate such issues by reinforcing the hull where the ladder is mounted.
• Measure the area and position your ladder before drilling. Since each mounting situation is different, measure your intended mounting area, position your ladder, and mark where you are going to drill ahead of time. Make sure everything is positioned correctly and as you want it before drilling any holes.

Safety Tip: Periodically check the mounting and assembly hardware and re-tighten as necessary. Vibration from the motor and regular use may cause hardware to loosen over time.