Coming Aboard
By Ted Walsh
Getting aboard our sloop from the tender used to be a challenge. | tried
variations on a Jacob’s ladder but was unsatisfied with the results. Then,
2 fy three seasons ago, I made a landing grating. It is a simple project, but it has
“5 | My ; made a big difference coming aboard.
oa | / ig j This is just a narrow grating that hangs about ten inches off the water on the
– Zee ay”, Lis starboard side. Ours is 36” long, 9” deep, and 1 1/2” thick, which makes a
SS fee big enough step to be stable when coming along side, but is small enough to
Oe” gf / stow in the starboard cockpit compartment. The outside edge has a shallow
= thd |, gutter going around the perimeter, into which is set a 1” rope fender. It
AE og A hooks, with bronze hooks, to pad-eyes on the deck, making it easy to set and
Lge a strike. I used a piece of teak that I had been saving for just such a project, but
LETH i—— Douglas fir would work just as well and be less expensive.
pa 4 44 v We have found that this has not only been a great improvement in getting
gE, Wes ~ i_ aboard, but it doubles as a swim platform, and as a fender for the dinghy.
ZA Pat, – j, Construct the grate with the teeth of the long pieces facing up. The grate
By) ——, should hang about 8”or 10” off the water.
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