Suggestions for an R4 swim ladder?

[JC522]

We took delivery of a 2024 R4 last week. We were very impressed with the boat until we anchored off the beach in 10' of water and tried to haul ourselves out of the water and back onto the flip-down swim step. The R4's "step" is only ~4 inches underwater! I was able to pull my somewhat ancient self up from the water and onto the step, but my wife struggled with that maneuver. Hopefully someone has found some type of swim ladder that can be attached somewhere on the transom or swim platform.

So far, the best solution that we've found is the Sea-Dog 5-Step (rope) Boarding Ladder for $63.00, but it is not very easy to use.
https://tinyurl.com/5wpr5dkk

Someone recommended this ladder:
https://tinyurl.com/52aerujf
but my dealer told me that there could be warranty issues. If I find a good solution, I'd probably be willing to take the risk.

Looking for recommendations.

[ChrisR8OB]

We had the exact same issue as the swim step is useless for us on our R8 outboard. There is a port side ladder option. I ordered the ladder from my dealer (a whopping $450) and installed it myself under the swim platform. Cobalt inlays 1/4 aluminum plates in the fiberglass for their options and you can install yourself if you are handy. I drilled, tapped, and used 1/4-20 SS screws with 3m 4200 sealant. The swim ladder is expensive but it's built for the boat. It slids out and folds down with 3 ladder rungs. Unfortunately I don't have pics on my phone right now to post but can get some once I'm home.
Chris

[JC522]

Thanks for the reply. Please send photos at your earliest convenience. I forwarded your comment to the Service Manager.

Is this the ladder? It only has 2 rungs. 3 or 4 would be better. Part numbers???

https://tinyurl.com/522htzmt

[ChrisR8OB]

Yes that is exactly it but it does have 3 rungs. I attached photos the dealer sent me but will take pics of mine installed when I get home. I'm currently out of town for work.

[JC522]

Is the R8 swim platform 3 pieces like the R4? The R4 center section is molded in to the transom, and the outside sections (blue in the bottom photo) are bolted on. Aside from limited room, I think their concern might be hanging extra weight and stress on the outer bolted-on sections. Once the boat is assembled, there is no access to the bolts that attach the outer sections. They can't be repaired if they start to sag or come loose from too much weight.

20240813_140212.jpg

[ChrisR8OB]

I got the twin Outboard R8 so I only have the small little fold down swim platform on the starboard side. The platform off the stern is bolted on but plenty beefy enough to support the weight of ladder and person. I'm sure your dealer will get that info from Cobalt.

[JC522]

My idea is to hang a Garelick stowable ladder off an existing swim step bracket. I could use the existing 2 bolts you can see in the photos to attach the Garelick angle bracket to the underside of the swim step bracket. If the swim step bracket is strong enough to support multiple people on the step, it would have to be strong enough for one person on the ladder. That orange rope ladder in the photo is a literal pain to use.

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81tWfkISTLL._AC_AA220_.jpg

20240813_140200a.jpg

[ChrisR8OB]

I tried a rope ladder from Amazon and it was awful...
I see what you are trying to do and looks to be good idea if you do nt have to drill any extra holes. I would think that bracket is plenty strong enough.

[JC522]

I might need to drill one hole in the swim step bracket. Looking for a way around that.

20240812_180951a.jpg

[JC522]

Found this: viewtopic.php?t=6818
It looks like a good solution that I can build out of 1" Starboard.

I also found a reasonably priced ladder on Amazon: https://tinyurl.com/yv7vmftm

[JC522]

Finito!

20240822_124141ajpg.jpg

[Krob1114]

Finito!
20240822_124141ajpg.jpg

I like it. Did you make it yourself?

[JC522]

Yes. Here you go... Open the photo in Photoshop. Set the gridlines to .5", and you'll have a good plan to work from. Good luck and let me know if you have any questions.

Swim Ladder.jpg