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Old 06-27-2003, 04:32 PM
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Default Armstrong boarding ladder - where?

I won't go into why I need to replace my boarding bracket and ladder, but I am suddenly in the market for a replacement

Who has best prices on this type of item?
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Old 06-27-2003, 05:23 PM
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Default Armstrong boarding ladder - where?

Overtons can be good.
go to www.overtons.com and search for 33002 and 30046.
I bought the 30046 a while back and had to grind the slot out just a hair with my dremmel tool to fit my Armstrong brand ladder. 30046 is actually an adjustable angle fixed position. I took the threaded rod out and replaced it with a bolt and some nylon spacers. That makes it a swing out version in case I forget to tke it up. Of course you would never do that

Product Engineer, SMITH Marine Products
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Old 06-27-2003, 06:27 PM
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Default Armstrong boarding ladder - where?

seacatrider: those are not Armstrong, and they're just brackets.

I'm looking too - anyone have an idea where to get an Armstrong ladder at a reasonable price?
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Old 06-28-2003, 06:21 AM
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Default Armstrong boarding ladder - where?

Where ever you put the ladder, think about a backing plate. Mine was installed with fender washers and now I have to fix stress cracks in the gelcoat. The extra weight of people climbing in with dive gear seems to have done it.

Also, Armstrong ladders do not float. Mine came off while in the stowed position while doing a surface interval before a second dive. Just rocking back and forth in small seas made it come loose, I have a door and the ladder stowes vertical. I got luckey because hours later a buddy on a different boat, that did not know I lost the ladder, found it and saved me hundreds. Since then I put a safety line on the ladder back to a cleat.

Rick
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Old 06-28-2003, 07:55 AM
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Default Armstrong boarding ladder - where?

Rapture....mine was in with fender washers...but I caught the problem pretty quick.

I don't like the way Armstrong ladders clip to the mount....if that plastic clip is turned wrong/falls off or whatever, your ladder can easily come out or swing into the engine. However, the holes in the transom are there, so I'll just put a replacement in and tie my engine safety clip cord around my finger so I remember to pull it up next time.
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Old 06-29-2003, 06:09 AM
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Default Armstrong boarding ladder - where?

I picked up my Armstrong ladder at one of those liquidation sales a major catalog retailer was having at a boat show for 75 bucks. The box was all skuffed up so it was not sellable at retail. For obvious reasons the fixed angle bracket that came with the ladder was not a good idea so I replaced it with the swivel mount bracket as detailed in the earler post. Later I noticed the plastic step pads had developed cracks. After pulling off the plastic pad (glued on), I discovered a paper thin stainless frame that was stress badly. Every step was cracked. Some welds had pulled thru and others were on their way. Ya just can't weld tissue paper thick stainless and expect it to hold up a 220 pound guy tromping on it a few hundred times. I beefed it up by welding in nice heavy stainless gussets to bring the ladder to where it should have been when it was made.

Don't assume since you see Armstrongs on alot of OEM boats that they are excellent quality ladders. As we know, Boat manufacturers are the tightest penny pinchers the world has ever seen. They have to be to get their boats down to a price we will buy and still have enough margin left for them to make a living. There are better ladders out there.

Product Engineer, SMITH Marine Products
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Old 06-29-2003, 07:27 AM
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Default Armstrong boarding ladder - where?

I just looked at a Garlick ladder at West Marine, copycat of the Armstrong only it's heavy guage aluminum that's powdercoated white and foam filled. A friend who's a big guy - weighs close to 300 lbs and scuba dives has one and suggested I look at the Garlick as he said he likes his and has had no problems with it. Well I looked and liked it so well that I bought one.
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Old 06-29-2003, 06:24 PM
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Default Armstrong boarding ladder - where?

This should probably go on the trading dock but since this post is up I thought I'd chime in. I've got a like new Sport/Dive ladder. It is a white Garelick with mounting bracket. I'm hoping to pull it off and go with a folding transom type. Not sure how much it would cost to ship but I'll part with it for a fair price. Email if interested sbjuill@sanpatricioec.com

Lefty
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Old 06-30-2003, 12:57 PM
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Default Armstrong boarding ladder - where?

The Garelick ladder is a much better ladder than the Armstrong.
And it will float. If you are damaging ladders by forgetting to pull them up before you take off, use the nylon nuts for the bottom of the mounting brace. They will pull loose before you tear up the ladder.
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Old 06-30-2003, 03:11 PM
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Default Armstrong boarding ladder - where?

A garelick ladder that floats is a real good feature, mine did not. After replacing, I filled the brackets with 5200 so the ladder won't come loose and that addition has already saved its life!
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Old 06-30-2003, 05:08 PM
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Default Armstrong boarding ladder - where?

diamond dave....good suggestion, but if I do that, the steps will pivot into the transom and make it a much more expensive repair.

The bracket and steps cost $250 from Armstrong direct. Not as bad as I thought.
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