We have been looking to add to our boating options

[seanmclean]

Haven't checked in this thread for a while, congrats on the new vessel! Can't wait to see how it comes along given the awesome job you did with the Ben.

 

[zipper]

Ordered a new 4 step ladder for the Cat. The old, non collapsible ladder was an ugly beast and almost useless. The old one below is/was mounted on the starboard hull. Too much weight abaft from dinghy/motor, gear, more gear and the 50+ gallons of water that leaked into the "airtight" compartment behind the stairs and that inspection plate. Don't get me going on someone's placement of that plate. Should have been on the riser above that tread or below in this picture. It will be relocated and the tread will be repaired. I am digressing....anyway, the ladder hardware leaked, no backing plate and moved all around. Putting the new one on the other (port) hull for docking, most likely on starboard/helm side.
Looked around at many 300-400# rated ladders for $150-200+. I am trying cheap this time. We will see if it holds up to its 600# rating. A 900# one from another company had a warning about frequent returns on amazon, but this one had none, so I am going to give it a try.
Fyi...it does not look like this any more. Been cleaned up a bit.


Cheap 4 step ladder

I know, too cheap to be any good! Gonna find out. It can be returned if not completely satisfied.

 

[FSH 210 Sport]

Ordered a new 4 step ladder for the Cat. The old, non collapsible ladder was an ugly beast and almost useless. The old one below is/was mounted on the starboard hull. Too much weight abaft from dinghy/motor, gear, more gear and the 50+ gallons of water that leaked into the "airtight" compartment behind the stairs and that inspection plate. Don't get me going on someone's placement of that plate. Should have been on the riser above that tread or below in this picture. It will be relocated and the tread will be repaired. I am digressing....anyway, the ladder hardware leaked, no backing plate and moved all around. Putting the new one on the other (port) hull for docking, most likely on starboard/helm side.
Looked around at many 300-400# rated ladders for $150-200+. I am trying cheap this time. We will see if it holds up to its 600# rating. A 900# one from another company had a warning about frequent returns on amazon, but this one had none, so I am going to give it a try.
Fyi...it does not look like this any more. Been cleaned up a bit.
View attachment 218583
View attachment 218587
Cheap 4 step ladder

I know, too cheap to be any good! Gonna find out. It can be returned if not completely satisfied.

Theres a review there from a person that says it supports their 320# … If that’s true it should hold up okay.

 

[zipper]

Brought the catamaran cabin table home for refinishing over the Winter. It is 33 years old and showed its age and a couple of attempts along the way of refinishing, it was rough. It is a cherry plywood veneer surface with a solid wood trim around the perimeter. I am in the epoxy stage now, so it will look glossy. I will apply satin 2pt poly as a final coat.

I first replaced the old binding brass hinges with stainless steel.

Table surface before.
View attachment 212894

Keep sanding but be aware of the veneer thickness.
I had not sanded off enough of the old finish and it was obvious.
View attachment 212893
So I sanded that off and tried again...
2nd attempt at putting down epoxy, much better.
View attachment 212892

Mixing West Systems epoxy 105 resin and 207 hardener. I use pumps for metering.

View attachment 212891
2nd coat of 3 or 4 epoxy coats.
View attachment 212889

Been at it, on and off for a few months in the kitchen of the wife's sweat shop, above the garage. Considering it done now. After 3 coats of WS 105/207 epoxy and 3 coats of Epifanes 2 part gloss polyurethane, sanded smooth, and finished up with a coat of Epifanes 2 pt satin polyurethane. Polished with 3m wet 1000 then 2000. Finished it off with 0000 steel wool and Trewax paste wax.

Folded dims. 40 1/2 x 23 1/4.



Opened 40 1/2 x 42 1/2.





Waiting on some longer #6 x 5/8” 316 ss wood screws, rather than the 1/2” that were sent with the hinges. Not enough screw threads in the table. The old brass ones were 5/8” long.

It's an improvement to the 33 yo table. Before...



The Marinebaby 4 step ladder came. First appearance…looks like a good 316 ss 4 step ladder for $66.




It did not come with any parts missing or broken. We will see how it lasts, it does feel heavy duty.

 

[zipper]

I can still “cut up a rug” and the wife binds the edges. Rugs custom cut and bound for the port (galley) and starboard (Nav station) soles, on the catamaran. I will be refinishing the woodwork, other than the table, over the next year.