Boat Ladder Selection and Safety Tips

Boat ladders come in a variety of styles for different types and parts of boats. But when it comes to choosing the right ladder, you should take several things into account.

Safety first, but you’ll also want to consider other things like ease of use, what the ladder is made of and where it’ll go on your boat. Although your vessel probably came equipped with one, ladders can still wear out and break off. When it’s time to add or replace a ladder on your boat, here are some selection and safety tips to keep in mind. 

Tips for Buying a Boat Ladder

Boarding ladders on boats should be able to provide easy access into and out of the boat for things like swimming, and unloading supplies (and yourself) off a dinghy.

When replacing a damaged or corroded boat ladder, people tend to avoid drilling new holes. However, if your boat is more than a decade old, finding an original ladder from the manufacturer can be challenging, and expensive. You’ll likely have to get a non-identical replacement. Plus, you’ll want to measure your boat to make sure the new ladder not only fits, but also extends far enough below the waterline to be effective. 

Try finding a ladder that can be mounted in the same spot with the same holes as the last one. If that’s not possible, you’ll still want to get a replacement ladder that can be installed with enough room between it and the boat’s hull to protect hands and feet. 

Boarding Ladder Factors to Consider

Once you’ve gotten the proper measurements for your boat, the next step is to choose a boarding ladder that’s suitable as it relates to quality and safety. Here are some factors to consider when choosing a new boarding ladder for your boat.

Durability

Boarding ladders are exposed frequently to water, so you’ll want to choose one made of a corrosion-resistant metal like stainless steel or aluminum. Stainless steel boat ladders are more durable and aesthetically more attractive than aluminum ladders, which means they’re also more expensive. Conversely, aluminum ladders are lighter and cheaper than stainless steel, and therefore less durable. 

Portable or Fixed 

Removable or portable boat ladders attach to brackets bolted onto the hull or deck. They can also be conveniently removed as needed for storage space purposes. Fixed boat ladders, on the other hand, are permanently attached to the boat. While portable ladders are a lighter, more affordable alternative, they don't provide the stability of fixed ladders. 

Portable ladders are good for short, occasional swims, and for boats that don’t have swim platforms. However, if you plan on anchoring down frequently for in-water activities like swimming and watersports, fixed ladders are the better choice.  

When it comes to ladder placement, here are a handful of option to consider:

• Transom ladders: Ideal for boats that don’t have a swim platform. Transom ladders are usually mounted on top of the transom with hooks and rails. 
• Gunwale ladders: Gunwale ladders are removable ladders mounted with padded hooks over the side of the boat. 
• Platform ladders: Ideal for boats with outboard motors that don't have a swim platform. Some platform ladders are removable, and come equipped with a small swim platform and side railings for mounting onto the transom. Other platform ladders attach directly to the swim platform near the water, only have a few steps, and can be folded on top of the platform or stored underneath it.

There’s also two common ladder shapes to consider: H-ladders and T-ladders, which are shaped like the namesake letters they resemble. T-ladders are known for being a little more user-friendly when it comes to deploying and folding, but many find H-ladders easier to grip and climb. 

Boat Ladder Safety

Safety is perhaps the most important consideration when choosing a boat ladder. After all, you don’t want people slipping and hitting their heads, or getting their hands or feet stuck between the ladder and the boat. You want to make sure people can safely get in and out of the water and back on deck. Getting up on a boat ladder also requires strength to pull up out of the water, so if you have family or friends you boat with regularly that have limited mobility, you’ll want to make sure they can climb safely.

Rough maritime conditions can make climbing up ladders incredibly difficult, especially if you’re dealing with removable ladders, as scuba divers often do. It’s important to keep safety in mind when the ladder is bouncing up and down in choppy waters. This can cause people to slip off the ladder and get injured, or get their extremities crushed between the ladder and the boat. Large swells can make the ladder rise up quickly and crash hard back into the water, so keep an eye out for anybody trying to use the ladder when it happens. 

For these types of situations, get a boat ladder with plenty of clearance away from the side of the hull, with side railings above deck in front of the ladder for added support. And for “man overboard” situations, make sure folding ladders can be easily deployed with a quick-release mechanism. 

Ease of Use

Boat ladders that are too narrow are harder to climb and maintain balance on. Choose non-skid tread ladders with wider footing to reduce the likelihood of injuries and make it easier for everyone to climb. You’ll also want ladders with higher weight capacities to prevent unnecessary stress and wear on the ladder and the boat itself. 

When it comes to the number of steps on the ladder, less is never more. Choose ladders that have at least two or three broad, non-skid rungs that dip below the waterline. If it has a fourth step, even better. Extra steps make getting out of the water much easier when they extend down deep enough to get a solid footing. 

Safety When Stepping Off the Ladder

One last thing: never use the ladder to enter the water until you know for sure there’s nobody beneath it, especially if you’re wearing heavy diving equipment. Always check below you before stepping or jumping off the ladder to avoid stomping on someone underneath.