What they do

The primary function of boarding ladders is to allow boaters to get in and out of the water from the deck of a boat or swim step and to aid boarding from a dinghy. Although they can sometimes be used to help in the retrieval of a crewmember who has fallen overboard, they are typically of little or no use in rough seas.

How they work

Common ladder types include

1. Over-the-gunwale ladders for runabouts and small sailboats. These have hooks that vary in width to match the width of the gunwale.
2. Swim-step ladders hang down from powerboat swim steps and usually contract underneath or fold up on top of the step. Since the swim step is so much lower than the side of the boat, these ladders generally need only 1-3 steps.
3. Platform ladders create a mini-swim step on one side of the outboard or outdrive. These come with a platform and side rails.
4. Transom ladders on sailboats hinge up and down and generally match the appearance of the stern push-pit.
5. Removable ladders fit in brackets bolted to the hull or deck. The brackets have keyhole slots that hold the ladder securely, yet allow it to be removed quickly for storage.

Many ladders fold in half so they can be left in place without dragging in the water. They can be used while folded when boarding from a dinghy and extended when swimming. They are also easier to stow.

Portable ladders are flexible, collapsible and lightweight, which makes them great for dinghies and other small boats. However, they're not ideal as a primary ladder because their flexibility makes them difficult to climb.

What to look for

Where to mount
Ladders should be mounted so that the steps extend far enough into the water to make climbing aboard as easy as possible and at a spot that's convenient for boarding. For example, stern ladders are quite common on sailboats, but this is frequently where the motion of the boat is the greatest. On sailboats with a fixed push-pit, a better place may be on the side, forward of the cockpit, where the lifeline gate is located.

Comfort and security
We like broad, nonskid treads, since 1" stainless tubing is remarkably painful under bare feet. We also like ladders that stand off away from the side of the hull, because they provide finger and toe clearance. Side rails that extend above deck level provide a handy place to grab.