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Post by MalcolmP on Nov 28, 2017 10:07:22 GMT
In preparation for stern moorings in Mediterranean I am looking at affordable passerelles and best way to fit to the stern of our SO39i This is roughly the style I am thinking of:  www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Gangway-Walkway-Foldable-260cm-2-6m-Anti-Skid-Iroko-Marine-Yacht-Boat/252898765613Are these used much in North America as well as the Med? are there any brands to think about or to avoid? Would one 2.6m long be about the best compromise for a 12m yacht? Not sure how high up I should make the attachment on the stern. In the image below the lower platform is strong, but the step the girl is standing on is fairly weak, so I would need to reinforce probably and also need to make it off centre so that the lazzarette locker will still open.  Look forward hearing your views Malcolm |
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Post by vasko on Nov 28, 2017 11:03:05 GMT
this is exactly the style that I have - but with full alu parts no woord - and it is better with alu as it is more lighter.. the supporting lines has been never used so far - the have some practicality onl if some is old and difuculty moving on the boat and need the support...
the mounting with the stick on the back and hole on the boat is awful - as the boat moves you get scratces on th e hull and ending up putting something soft between the hull and the passarel ...
I have used only twice so far the passarele in the western med as in the marinas you can get the boat close enough to the pontoon to just jump on the pontoon... compared with greece when you use it every singe day is huge difference...
mounting should be permanent with some kind of custom fabricated svuirel going out from the stern and line to the top of the mast... ( this is how was on my greek boat and was good - still annoying putting it on and off and very dangereuse for your finger...)
in brief I'm suggesting before you get to sail in greece forget about passarelle and get a simple plank 3m or 3.5m and waiting until you aresure you need permanent passarelle
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Post by vasko on Nov 28, 2017 11:07:57 GMT
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Post by vasko on Nov 28, 2017 11:10:28 GMT
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Post by hoppy on Nov 28, 2017 11:50:54 GMT
2.6m sounds about what mine is. It's aluminum with wood in a lattice pattern. It looks good until the wood starts to warp. Mine is still reasonably ok which is impressive as it was on the boat 7 years ago when I bought. Twice I have had to give the wood lots of TLC. For 90% of the town quays and marinas, mounting it on the swim platform was fine. The other 10% left me with very steep climbs, and fast descents. If you or any of your crew are less than mobile, you should consider fitting 2 mounting points. I originally used a block on the mast head with the line leading to a clutch, then I added a block to the backstay and finally used the arch. All three worked fine. I prefer a short length of shock cord which allowed me to keep the pasarrelle off the dock, but it would then rest on the dock when I stood on it which felt more stable. Sometimes I think just using a plank of wood is the best way to go, or even better a carbon fibre plank...  |
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Post by vasko on Nov 28, 2017 13:18:43 GMT
btw: i was thinking some time ago how to install mine and come to this : and was planing to use as a base for the attachment to the boat : www.ebay.co.uk/itm/361899431749 |
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Post by MalcolmP on Nov 28, 2017 14:02:44 GMT
Mnay thanks Vasko and Hoppy for those ideas and observations, as well as the bargains  I hope to get it so I can mount permanently, don't like the idea of lifting it on and off, so maybe need a custom outrigger from the stronger lower platform. The bungy cord sounds good too, I had heard that keeping the end off the dock should reduce chance of rodents too. M |
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Post by vasko on Nov 28, 2017 14:43:49 GMT
some pictures how mine was attached to my greek boat with a plate :   |
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Post by snwl on Nov 28, 2017 15:26:26 GMT
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Post by vasko on Nov 28, 2017 15:49:22 GMT
Great looks especially the picture with the girls in red dresses on it but... for the asking price should come together with the girls with life time warenty  ) |
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Post by vasko on Nov 28, 2017 15:52:50 GMT
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Post by MalcolmP on Nov 28, 2017 16:02:53 GMT
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Post by MalcolmP on Nov 28, 2017 16:04:48 GMT
we could even print boats, goodbye to any spares  |
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Post by vasko on Nov 28, 2017 16:14:29 GMT
we could even print boats, goodbye to any spares That is not a bad idea actually at least print spare parts btw - the printer on the link is great and extream good quality I got it to print boxes for my small projects and encolusure for the new "digital motor" electric outboard prototype sime of print is up-to 30x30x40 cm |
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Post by snwl on Nov 29, 2017 17:26:12 GMT
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Post by sailbleu on Dec 4, 2017 7:48:12 GMT
Hi Malcolm , Coincidentally , I' ve just installed my new addition , being in the marina for 2 weeks to get some work and maintenance done . Underneath you have 5 pictures of how I tackled my passerelle . In the first pic you see the 3 holes on the left where the fix was previously , it was on the stern seat that can be lowered to make a passage from cockpit to swim platform . But the seat itself not being solid / rigid , there was too much movement and cracking going on , so I've changed the position . I will close the 3 holes with white caps . As you can see we use a 2 meter long aliminum ladder as passerelle , the steps are covered with waterproof multiplex and on top of that are stripes of anti-slip tape . Works great ! Only set back is , where to store this huge beast whilst sailing ? Mine went , bagged in sunbrella cover , along side close to bow , off the deck to the outside of the railing . Was ok , but I didn't like the aesthetics of a 2 meter long bag dangling on the exterior of the port bow railing . So I've changed the setup in a way the passerelle can stay on the stern platform , out of the way that is . The pics explain it . That meant making a hinged solid U- construction to work around the swim platform ladder , so the passarelle can be swung to the side to allow the ladder to come down . Because of the leverage on the hinge I yet have to make and install a support - just to make sure - to hold the U-plate ( with passarelle) up and firmly held to the side . That will be next year when we come back. Maybe you can use the idea , for your consideration . Regards      |
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Post by MalcolmP on Dec 4, 2017 9:05:12 GMT
Hi Malcolm , Coincidentally , I' ve just installed my new addition , being in the marina for 2 weeks to get some work and maintenance done . Underneath you have 5 pictures of how I tackled my passerelle . In the first pic you see the 3 holes on the left where the fix was previously , it was on the stern seat that can be lowered to make a passage from cockpit to swim platform . But the seat itself not being solid / rigid , there was too much movement and cracking going on , so I've changed the position . I will close the 3 holes with white caps . As you can see we use a 2 meter long aliminum ladder as passerelle , the steps are covered with waterproof multiplex and on top of that are stripes of anti-slip tape . Works great ! Only set back is , where to store this huge beast whilst sailing ? Mine went , bagged in sunbrella cover , along side close to bow , off the deck to the outside of the railing . Was ok , but I didn't like the aesthetics of a 2 meter long bag dangling on the exterior of the port bow railing . So I've changed the setup in a way the passerelle can stay on the stern platform , out of the way that is . The pics explain it . That meant making a hinged solid U- construction to work around the swim platform ladder , so the passarelle can be swung to the side to allow the ladder to come down . Because of the leverage on the hinge I yet have to make and install a support - just to make sure - to hold the U-plate ( with passarelle) up and firmly held to the side . That will be next year when we come back. Maybe you can use the idea , for your consideration . Regards Brilliant, great idea once again, you should have had a career as a yacht parts designer. Think many designers suffer from not having the skills to manufacture. Will look at options on ours, but will definitely want to make the bracket self draining, don't like the idea of holes in deck that cannot drain water away outside. Thanks Malcolm |
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Post by tedp on Dec 5, 2017 10:18:34 GMT
Not sure if it's been mentioned, but when we rented a boat in Turkey a few years ago we were urged always first to lower the gangway to the quay, then tension the halliard so the end was left an inch or so from the surface. As soon as you step on, the slack is taken up, dropping the end on the quay so you can cross safely. This prevents any undue stresses on the hinges as the boat moves. At night we always hauled it up, naturally!
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Post by ianpowolny on Dec 5, 2017 16:42:06 GMT
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Post by sailbleu on Dec 6, 2017 6:03:33 GMT
Hi Ian ,
With waterproof multiplex I mean marine plywood , you know the several layers of wood glued together .
But the one I applied has a sort of very strong coating on both sides , It's used in the concrete construction business because of the concrete-repulsive coating . We call it '" betonplex " , ' beton ' stands for concrete .
I've also put 3 coats of epoxy on the edges to seal them .
As for the ladder in your link , I have such one at home in 3 parts , so a 2 hinge mechanism . You can turn it in to a rack also .
My experience with this ladder is that I have great difficulties folding and stretching the legs , the hinge security system is somewhat resilient , but maybe I just haven't gotten the hang of it yet . In fact I never use it , my tool - fetish frequently makes me buy expendable things 🙄
I suppose it's the same principle as the genuine marine passerelle hinges .
So in a way , I guess they could be used for a passarelle purpose , although as you know the legs of these ladder have an open spread on both ends for more stability .
First of all that could cause problems using and storing the ' passerelle ' , and next to that it really looks like ladder doesn't it .
You know Ian I'm very pleased with my solution , up now it took 120kg ( my sons weight , he's 1m95 ) and didn't gave away .
I paid 70 Euro's for everything and let's face it , it beats a slippery wooden plank no ?!
With my newly installed U- bracket , not included in that 70 Euro though , I have my ' ladderrelle ' 😉 where I want it when not in use ,.........out of the way and ready to be launched when needed.
I make sure my ladderelle stays off the quay / pontoon by means of elastic cords , and attach a small fender underneath the end to neutralise the noise and wear it makes when touching the quay / pontoon .
Regards
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Post by sailbleu on Jan 10, 2018 8:14:27 GMT
Ian , a bit late , but I re-read your post and understand that my response to it might have been a bit confusing. This is what I meant ,see link . Although my workshop ladder I spoke about doesn't have the same base on the ends as your and my link shows , my ladder legs have no cross leg but go a bit wider, in a spread , for more stability . www.walmart.com/ip/Multi-Purpose-Aluminum-Ladder-Folding-Step-Ladder-Extendable-Heavy-Duty/29402396 . I you look at the price it might be worth an experiment , but I'm not sure if the hinges can take a man's weight . I'm inclined to think they can , using it as a construction rack it must be designed to handle some weight . Regards |
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Post by alenka on Jan 28, 2018 23:39:44 GMT
These are my thoughts after four years of stern to mooring with a folding gang plank.
(1) Go for a mount that will swivel at the boat end. It always seems to work out that you end up parking with a shore power box straight behind the gang plank.
(2) Avoid those with teak grating. It dries out and comes apart. It also gets very slippy and can be dangerous when the angle is acute to a quayside.
(3) Fixed castor type wheels tend to get stuck in the gaps on wooden pontoons and break off or cause strain on the mounting.
(4) Unless you really want to risk your back or a possible hernia go for a proper fixed installation and avoid repeatedly moving it.
(5) Hand rails rarely get used but in a little bit of swell they are very useful.
(6) Place a small flashing LED light (cycle type) on the end at night so people don't walk into it.
(7) Always leave the gang plank hovering above the quay when you can.
(8) Always lift the plank into the vertical at night - Don't make it easy for rats to get onboard!
(9) Depending upon where you attach to the boat 2.4 - 2.6m seems to be a good length. Any longer it may feel as though you literally 'walking the plank'. Any shorter and surge can push your boat onto the hard stuff.
(10) Don't forget to add 'Gang Plank' to your pre-departure check list. It is easy for crew to forget as they cast off which tends to make one feel very silly!
I have heard that some of the ultra light composite ones can lift up in strong winds.
My own feelings are that if you have a nice boat don't spoil the look of it by fitting something lashed up out of old beer crates, pallets, etc.
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Post by MalcolmP on Jan 29, 2018 22:12:42 GMT
Thx for all the replies, very helpful as always, folks on this forum always seems to be. Think I now have a good idea of what I need to get and do. Malcolm
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Post by Mistroma on Jan 31, 2018 22:28:06 GMT
I bought something like this bike loading ramp a few years ago. www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Track-Foldable-Aluminium-Loading-Ramp-Motorcycle-Bike-ATV-Quad-235mm-GL/311449471700?epid=17003595654&hash=item4883d5cad4:g:lX0AAOSwsTxXkJM0This one is 227 x 23.5cm 8kg and hugely strong but there may be other slightly wider versions. I bought rods, wheels and fittings for each end and put the whole thing together for little money. However, I've not had any real need to use it yet. I have used it in a few marinas to make it easier to load and unload bikes. I really need to fit the bracket on the boat but keep putting it off. It wasn't needed at all even in Greece last year. Probably due to my preference for anchorages. It's easy to step off against a quay and I usually pull off a few feet at night anyway, so ramp wouldn't be useable anyway. |
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Post by vasko on Feb 1, 2018 12:24:34 GMT
I bought something like this bike loading ramp a few years ago. www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Track-Foldable-Aluminium-Loading-Ramp-Motorcycle-Bike-ATV-Quad-235mm-GL/311449471700?epid=17003595654&hash=item4883d5cad4:g:lX0AAOSwsTxXkJM0This one is 227 x 23.5cm 8kg and hugely strong but there may be other slightly wider versions. I bought rods, wheels and fittings for each end and put the whole thing together for little money. However, I've not had any real need to use it yet. I have used it in a few marinas to make it easier to load and unload bikes. I really need to fit the bracket on the boat but keep putting it off. It wasn't needed at all even in Greece last year. Probably due to my preference for anchorages. It's easy to step off against a quay and I usually pull off a few feet at night anyway, so ramp wouldn't be useable anyway. Looks really good and price great ! |
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