Sale of Boarding Ladders
If you are looking for boarding ladders for your yacht, then you have already found everything you need. In this section, the topRik marketplace presents all the most popular and reliable ladders for sale of various types from reliable materials - anti-corrosion metal alloys, marine plywood, etc.
Got any questions regarding the choice of boarding ladders? Marketplace experts are able provide professional free advice right now. You can use Contacts section, call us using phone number above or email ([email protected]).
Purpose of Boarding Ladders
The main purpose of boarding ladders is providing convenient and safe descent and ascent from the side to the pier and back, as well as into the water and from the water to the stern platform. They also serve as a transition between the decks and the flybridge.
Even before purchasing boarding ladder you should decide what type and for what purposes you need a ladder, as well as the place where it will be attached.
Onboard ladders allow boaters to enter and exit the water from the deck or from the water, and they also assist in boarding boats. Sometimes they can be used to search for a crew member who has fallen overboard.
Boat ladders must be below the water level to be effective. Often, yachtsmen install ladders with at least 2-3 steps below the surface, which means they must be easily dropped and removed while underway.
Vertical shooting ladders are commonly used for small motor boats and small sail boats. They have hooks that vary in width.
Swim ladders hang down from the motorboat or are stowed/folded at the top. The pitch of these models is much lower and usually only requires 1-3 steps.
Platform ladders serve as a mini platform for swimming from the outboard engine side of a boat or exiting a yacht. They come with a platform and side rails.
Transom ladders on sailboats are hinged to raise and lower and typically follow the appearance of a stern rail (pushpit).
Removable ladders are inserted into brackets bolted to the hull or deck. The brackets have keyhole holes that hold them securely but allow for quick removal for storage.
Many ladders fold in half so they can be left in place without having to be dragged into the water, they can be used when folded when boarding and they unfold when sailing, and these models are also easier to stow.
Vertical ladders are flexible, foldable and lightweight, but they are not ideal as a primary ladder because their flexibility makes them difficult to climb.
Types of Boarding Ladders
Main classification of boarding ladders depends on their design, fastening method, direction of location relative to the sides (or decks), as well as the material used. Therefore, we talk about following categories of boarding ladders:
- folding, telescopic;
- vertical and horizontal (sloping);
- fixed (stationary), removable, retractable;
- steel, aluminum, wood, rope, PVC.
This is not a complete list of categories – boarding ladders can also be classified by the number of steps, installation location (stern, bow, side, bowsprit, transom), the presence or absence of an automatic mechanism for unfolding, etc.
topRik marketplace presents almost all the most popular types and models of boarding ladders from leading manufacturers of yacht accessories. Let's look at some of the main categories that are in constant demand among yachtsmen.
Telescopic Ladders - a Universal Solution
Telescopic ladders are a convenient and versatile solution for yachts and other vessels. They are distinguished by their compactness, ease of use and versatility.
The main advantage of telescopic ladders is their ability to fold compactly when not in use. This provides compact storage and ease of transportation. Thanks to this function, the ladder takes up minimal space on board, without interfering with other objects or creating obstacles during movement.
An important characteristic of telescopic ladders is the material from which they are made. Aluminum or stainless steel is typically used to provide strength, durability and corrosion resistance. Thanks to this, the stairs are not exposed to salt and fresh water, maintaining their appearance and functionality for a long time.
Telescopic ladders can have a different number of steps, which allows you to choose the best option depending on the height of the yacht or vessel. It is also possible to adjust the height, so that the ladder can be used comfortably in any conditions.
One of the main advantages of telescopic ladders is their versatility. They can be used not only for getting on or off the yacht, but also for accessing the water for swimming or other water activities.
Innovative technologies make it possible to produce telescopic stairs with additional features, such as illuminated steps, which ensure safety and comfort at night.
Folding Stairs - Saving Space
Folding stairs have several important advantages. First of all, they take up minimal space as they can be folded into a compact shape embedded into the deck. This frees up more space on the yacht's deck, which is especially useful for smaller boats.
The second advantage of folding stairs is their ease of use. They are usually equipped with mechanisms for flexion and extension, which makes the process of walking up the stairs comfortable and safe. The models also have stops and clamps that provide reliable fixation when folded or unfolded.
Folding ladders are usually made of high-quality materials, such as metal anti-corrosion alloys, marine wood, so they are reliable in use and last a long time.
Folding stairs on a yacht are the optimal solution for saving space without compromising comfort and safety.
Retractable Boarding Ramps
The most common type of such a retractable ladder is located in one of the steps of the transom ladder of catamarans. This allows for two-way boarding, disembarking and loading of luggage, and also eliminates or limits the use of the swim platform in these processes.
Stern and Bow Ladders, Bowsprit Platforms
These are the types of boarding ladders, which provide convenient embarkation or disembarkation when mooring, respectively, bow or stern to the shore or pier, which have a different height in relation to the main deck.
These types of boarding ladders are optional, but if you often have to disembark passengers while deck and shore heights are different, then this is not such a big price to pay for additional safety and comfort.
This is not a complete list of boarding ladders, which are offered by the topRik marketplace. In this section you will definitely choose the right model for your yacht, boat or RIB.
Materials Used for Boarding Ladders
For making of boarding ladders use the following materials:
- marine plywood;
- stainless steel;
- galvanized steel;
- aluminum;
- plastic;
- ropes and ropes.
Marine plywood is a material made from several sheets of wood veneer impregnated with resins. In this case, the wood layers are located perpendicular to each other, which adds strength to the material. It is used to make stern, bow and bowsprit platforms, gangways of various widths and lengths, including retractable ones.
Stainless and galvanized steel as well as aluminum are suitable materials for boarding ladders, as they are ideal for telescopic and folding models, and also have anti-corrosion properties. Properly selected ladders made from these metals are reliable and durable, their advantage is a long service life.
Plastic is an indestructible material in marine conditions: it does not rust, does not rot, and can provide a non-slip surface. It is used for the manufacture of inflatable ladders, including those mounted with a different number of steps, as well as for crossbars for rope models.
For rope models of boarding Ladders use only marine ropes and cables made of polyamide, polyester and polypropylene. They are durable, perfectly knitted into knots, resistant to salt water, ultraviolet radiation and mechanical stress such as stretching and tearing. The steps of such models are made of marine plastic.
How to Choose a Boarding Ladder for Your Yacht
Before you start choosing a particular model for a specific yacht, decide on the location of its installation and take all dimensions. When taking measurements, it is necessary to remember that hinged ladders, including telescopic and folding ones, leading into the water, should be lowered below its level by 2-3 steps in order to facilitate the ascent to the platform.
We hope that by the time of purchase you have decided on the material used and design. Please note that rope ladders are not recommended for use with RIBs and are suitable mostly for trained people.
Wooden ladders and steps are best used in places where they are least likely to be exposed to constant water. And for stairs leading into the water, buy boarding ladder made of stainless, galvanized steel or aluminum.