Question for Mac

[Mike Hooten]

Hey Mac,



I had a ski tow bar added to my 519 for the wife. She loves to ski. I'm also adding a transom ladder for her and my nephews and nieces (and my big ole brother in law) for when we "play" with the tubes and skis. Do you think the ladder is a mistake? I know that it will take away from the looks a little, but will it splash a lot of water around at slow to medium speeds?



Just wanted to hear your (or anyone elses) thoughts.



HOOT

 

[Bill McElroy]

I have no idea Hoot,..I have a buddy who has an old 176 Champion Fish/Ski and he has a ladder on it with no adverse affects at all. I don't know how it will affect your hull, but I doubt you'll have any excessive splashing or loss in performance. Is a portable ladder an option??..One that you just hang over the side,...and stowable when not in use?

I'd hate to have a permanent ladder installed on that boat!

There's gotta be a better way!! LOL

Mac

 

[Mike Hooten]

I agree. I'm having second thoughts. The boat is really easy to get into, being so low to the water and everything. It's just like pulling yourself out of a pool without using the ladder. I duno. Once again, I have to make a decission! You know I hate that!



Thanks Mac. I think I might just apply that money toward another folding seat for those crapie fishing days. At least it will look better than a darn ladder!



HOOT

 

[Richard Whittemore]

Put the ladder on for safety's sake. Your wife and other's will tend to use the the foot of the motor to help themselves up. One slip in rough water and they drag their foot across the stainless steel prop. the resulting gash, stitches, ruined afternoon are a real B****. I speak from "been there, done that". You can always advise against it but they will still do it. Put in the ladder and mount it high enough so it doesn't drag the bottom on plane.



In all fairness, I am the only one I have ever heard this happening to. Like you said, "I have a decision to make".

 

[TrepMan]

Now if you had JUST done the right thing and bought another Tin Tracker I could help you!!! LOL I put one (2 step folding permanent) one on my PC 175. They mounted it perfect so there is NO effect on performance or handling, it is completely out of the water when folded. One of the best investments i've made and the wife, kids and friends we take Tubing love it!



Trep

 

[John McManus]

 

[John McManus]

Garelick makes a transom ladder that you can put in storage and just attach to connection plate when needed.

 

[fatrap]

Richard

Your not the only one. My niece did the same thing on my brother-in-law's boat and were talking serious, serious damage. Her whole summer was spent in bandages after surgery to repair the ligaments in the foot.

There are several portable ladders that are great some made just for bassboats too. I've fished with boats that had the fixed ladders and it seemed It was always in way especially when flippin or pitching.

fatrap

 

[Jim Jackson]

Here's something I did once years ago on an old tri-hull. I didn't want to mount a permanent ladder so I bought a portable, but didn't like it. It was always in the road. So, I made a removable rope ladder. It was two step and mounted to the hook eye on either side of the transom. The top step was a steel triangle with a steel ring (very) short rope and steel hook (all steel stainless.) Then I hooked another triangle step to the first one. I made the triangles out of s.s. rod, put two pieces of pvc pipe on the top step with a gap in-between to hook the second step. The 2nd step was a s.s. ring, short rope, s.s. ring, triangle and one solid piece of pvc. I covered all exposed steel with clear plastic tube. The rope length can be sized to fit your need. It wasn't fancy, but worked real well and you could store it anywhere and not have it in the road. It was very easy for everyone to use...

 

[James D.]

don't know if this will help out or not, but I saw a permament mount type of ladder that i believe the bottom portion folded up to stay out of the way.



jd

 

[Larry Harp]

Hoot, I've seen some pretty serious bass rigs with fold down ladders in the back. Seems like a pretty good safety feature to me. I haven't fallen in yet but I know the day will come. I just hope it's not in winter and I'm by myself. I'll wish I had a ladder then.

BTW What are you thinking of asking Mac about water skiing? Where he lives they have 11 months of winter and 1 month of crappy ice skating. LOL



Harpo

 

[Bill McElroy]

LOL...got that right,.....it's the middle of June already and the water temp isn't even 70 yet!!! Global warming my arss!!!! This years weather has been @#$@$!!!!

 

[TrepMan]

So tell me again WHY living up NORTH is so good??? LOL

 

[Bill McElroy]

we don't sound funny when we talk!!! LOL

 

[Rob LaMoy]

And we marry outside the family up here. LOL And our deer are DEER, not large dogs with racks. OK, I just know I'm gonna pay for that from the rebels. LOL

 

[Bill Hamilton]

 

[Bill Hamilton]

Hoot - Have a 2002 896 with permanent ladder. It does fold up above the water line and does NOT create any problems. Many times with my old 700DC I decided to take a short swim on a very hot day and it is difficult getting back in the boat unless you use the lower unit engine fins as a ladder (never broke one thank goodness). Decided that at my age it was easier to climb up a ladder than look like an old fool trying to get back in the boat.

 

[Bob G.]

Reason #3: Cause Trep lives down south and leaves his "no fish catching" aura down there!!



Bob G.