damaged rear telescopic loading ladder

[Jludwig83]

I'm sure I'm not the first. purchased the 2021 Yamaha 252XE this year and already need to replace the rear boarding ladder. My buddy got on the boat and didn't put it back in the locking hinge. Backed into one of our normal sand bars for me to find out it was still down. No damage to the boat thankfully, but the ladder and bracket is bent beyond repair. I was hoping for recommendations on replacement that fits the same style that is on the boat now. It has the locking bolt and hinge on the side and is spring loaded. Thank you for any help and advise I can get.

 

[Ronnie]

If you want an exact replacement you have two options that I know of. You can either order one from Yamaha through a place like Yamahasportsplaza.com OR you can buy one directly from the manufacturer, Windline (I assume that yours is from Windline as mine is).

Windline ladders have a lifetime warranty but they would not treat this as a warranty problem. Still it will be at least $100 less expensive to get a replacement from Windline. I’ve replaced my rear ladder at least three times now, once under warranty.

 

[Sean R]

I have a question on your ladder. I have the spring loaded ladder also, assuming the same 2020 212S. Before it was damaged did you have a hard time putting it in the stored position? Mine is a bitch, my wife can't do it. Not sure if my spring is to long and I am crushing the spring to get it to hook up.

 

[anmut]

Leaving the ladder down is part of the experience of owning these boats! I swear we do that once a trip... It is weird that you bent yours backing in.

 

[Ronnie]

Spring loaded? Fancy, nice.

the ladder should not bend simply because it was down when the boat was out in reverse. The first one I bent was when the boat was on its trailer with the ladder down and I backed into a driveway / slight incline/ there was a short fight between the pavement and the ladder, the pavement won. The second time around I backed into the beach and grounded the ladder, I think that’s what happened to the OP here. The ladder brackets are very strong but once they are bent they are very difficult sometimes impossible to straighten/ repair.

 

[Jludwig83]

I have a question on your ladder. I have the spring loaded ladder also, assuming the same 2020 212S. Before it was damaged did you have a hard time putting it in the stored position? Mine is a bitch, my wife can't do it. Not sure if my spring is to long and I am crushing the spring to get it to hook up.

No, the ladder pushed back in very easily only took one hand to squeeze it in and latch it back in place.

 

[Ozark]

I have a question on your ladder. I have the spring loaded ladder also, assuming the same 2020 212S. Before it was damaged did you have a hard time putting it in the stored position? Mine is a bitch, my wife can't do it. Not sure if my spring is to long and I am crushing the spring to get it to hook up.

https://jetboaters.net/threads/195-ladder-problem.34147/

 

[treyp]

Reviving this thread. I have the same issue on my 2023 195S. Had the boat in the shop for other repairs. Asked for a quote to replace transom ladder, $800!!! Half parts, half labor. Found the same OEM part for $213.

I just removed the old broken ladder. It's 4 bolts. The shop wanted to charge 2 hrs labor for 4 bolts. It was literally less than 2 minutes.

That being said, I have two questions:
1) Is there a sealant I should put around the bolts after the new ladder is installed? It's just four bolts directly into the fiberglass hull. There didn't appear to be any from the factory.

2) I'm guessing I can overtorque the bolts and potentially crack the hull if I'm not careful? Is this really a potential issue or can I just tighten as normal?

 

[Ronnie]

I just use loctite and am careful not to overtighten the bolts, just hand tight and cinch it with a ratchet wrench. I’ve probably replaced four or five ladders over the last 20 years and always go straight to Windline. Great price, good service, quick shipping, absolutely no reason to buy from a reseller/middlemen.

 

[treyp]

I just use loctite and am careful not to overtighten the bolts, just hand tight and cinch it with a ratchet wrench. I’ve probably replaced four or five ladders over the last 20 years and always go straight to Windline. Great price, good service, quick shipping, absolutely no reason to buy from a reseller/middlemen.

Thanks, Ronnie! That's exactly what I was wondering.

 

[FSH 210 Sport]

I just use loctite and am careful not to overtighten the bolts, just hand tight and cinch it with a ratchet wrench. I’ve probably replaced four or five ladders over the last 20 years and always go straight to Windline. Great price, good service, quick shipping, absolutely no reason to buy from a reseller/middlemen.

You didn’t bed the base of the ladder in some sort of sealant?

 

[treyp]

You didn’t bed the base of the ladder in some sort of sealant?

FWIW, there wasn’t any sort of residue when I took my factory installed ladder off. Either directly on the hull itself or in the bolt holes so doesn’t seem they ship that way.

Interesting thought though. Likely couldn’t hurt to add.