GregM

Thanks Frank, but does it do the job? Can you get back in the boat from the water? Cheers, Greg

Hi, I have just bought my first boat: it is a 1996 4.2m Qunitrex runabout with a Yamaha 40CV outboard. I've only had it a couple of weeks and have already done a bunch of little things to it to tidy it up. Overall I am very happy with my purchase. But the other day I ran into an unexpected problem... I was up the Evans river with 3 friends and we got into some shallow water and ended up stuck in the sand. I jumped out and quickly pulled the boat into slightly deeper water. then I had a real problem getting back in the boat. The water was a couple of feet deep. I could get my foot up onto the lower/middle part of the transom, beside the motor (there's probably a correct name for that part) but I couldn't lift or pull myself back into the boat. In the end I went to the front and managed to drag myself in over the bow. But I don't think I could have done it if I was swimming in deeper water. So, I would like to add some sort of ladder or step/s to make it easier to get back in the boat from the water. I've seen the ladders with the big hooks on the top, which look like they would work, but then you have to fit it in the boat somewhere when its not being used. I've also seen lots of tinnys with an aluminium step welded on the back corner, usually with an extra handrail, but these all look to be factory fitted. I've also seen very cheap black nylon bolt-on steps that look like a hand hold. I have included a photo of the rear of my boat and an example of a factory fitted step. Is is possible, or worthwhile, to have a step like this added? Where might I go to have that done? Or am I better to bolt on a nylon step or two? Has anyone had any similar experience and found a suitable solution?