frankS Posted November 17, 2019 Share Posted November 17, 2019 (edited) I was recently asked if I could make a rear step for a aluminium boat, so I have come up with a few designs to suit different size boats, small med and large . They would have grab handles made to suit boat. I have fitted one to my own 14 foot Brooker ( just a prototype ) but will do the job I am looking for just bolted on. After talkback from those who have them ? and more importantly Who uses them ?. They come as standard on many boats but most are not used. Here is mine. I have made them all with angled backs to suit angle of my transom so step is straight when fitted but boats with upright transomes would be made straight to suit. Have to fill holes in this one. This on is pretty heavy and very solid. Would look nicer IF I had a buffing machine. light duty is 1.8mm checker and the others are 6mm checker, just using scrap material I have laying around the place. Frank Edited November 17, 2019 by frankS 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
noelm Posted November 18, 2019 Share Posted November 18, 2019 I use the step on my tinny at one ramp where I go crabbing, it is very shallow and I just kind of stand on the step and "kick" the boat along with my other leg. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
frankS Posted November 18, 2019 Author Share Posted November 18, 2019 Noel. That is one use I never thought of. Think the most common use is to allow people to climb into boat after skiing or tubing etc. I will be using it to launch boat from the bank where there is no pylon for boarding. Frank Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Welster Posted November 19, 2019 Share Posted November 19, 2019 (edited) I am a bit like Noel and kind of scooter my boat away from the beach before hopping in. Nice looking steps Frank very handy skills you have. Edited November 19, 2019 by Welster Typos again.... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Berleyguts Posted November 19, 2019 Share Posted November 19, 2019 I can’t recall using my step while the boat’s been in the water. I generally nose up onto the beach and am able to reverse up. Of course, there was that time when I dropped the bow line when launching solo at Parsley Bay and had to swim for the boat... I totally forgot about the step, couldn’t climb in over the bow and swam the boat back in pulling the bow line! 😳 1 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Welster Posted November 19, 2019 Share Posted November 19, 2019 The scooter thing comes in particularly during water sports. Skier on the beach give him the rope observer or driver scooters the boat out, slack disappearing on the top and go. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Guest123456789 Posted November 19, 2019 Share Posted November 19, 2019 Very nice Frank you will use that step a lot. The other use to no one has yet mentioned is as a sh$t step when nature calls just make sure no one is looking Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
frankS Posted November 19, 2019 Author Share Posted November 19, 2019 14 hours ago, Berleyguts said: I can’t recall using my step while the boat’s been in the water. I generally nose up onto the beach and am able to reverse up. Of course, there was that time when I dropped the bow line when launching solo at Parsley Bay and had to swim for the boat... I totally forgot about the step, couldn’t climb in over the bow and swam the boat back in pulling the bow line! 😳 That is one of my pet fears as these days I would be hopeless and would have to leave the boat to the drift. That is why I put a loop at the end of the rope and put around my wrist so I can't loose grip. Frank 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Berleyguts Posted November 19, 2019 Share Posted November 19, 2019 36 minutes ago, frankS said: That is one of my pet fears as these days I would be hopeless and would have to leave the boat to the drift. That is why I put a loop at the end of the rope and put around my wrist so I can't loose grip. Frank Yes, I was glad I had my good undies on that day! 😂 My loop is around the bow sprit roller. I’m going to get a longer bow rope (that reaches to the sign at Little Beach ramp so I can tie off while I park the car and trailer) and I’ll splice a loop in both ends... just gotta remember to loop it around my wrist! 😂 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
frankS Posted November 19, 2019 Author Share Posted November 19, 2019 Do a half hitch around your wrist as a loop can still slide off your wrist and you are no better off. Frank Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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