Bill,

  I installed the Windline TT-3X on my M17 last year and have been happy with it. It is short enough when up that it doesn't drag in the water even when heeled to that side and yet is below the top of the transom so it's out of sight and out of the way. It doesn't reach as far into the water as I had hoped, but it is far enough to get your foot up onto while you're in the water. It doesn't lay flat against the transom when deployed, but has a tang on the bracket that holds it out at a slight angle. The biggest drawback is that the mounting bracket is only about 4 inches wide, so the forces are all applied to a small area. Transom reinforcement was necessary on my boat. Overall quality of the unit is very good. I installed a 8" round screw-in deck plate for access and it made the ladder installation almost easy.

Larry Yake

M17 #200

 

On Sun, 26 Jan 2003 14:05:20 -0500 "Bill Riker" <wriker@mindspring.com> writes:
> It's time to bite the dreaded bullet and tackle two
> long-procrastinated
> projects.  Adding a boarding ladder and motor mount to Storm
> Petrel's stern.
>
> I would appreciate any suggestions and warnings as to the best make
> and
> model boarding ladder for the M-15.
>
> Tod, yours is the Garelick #18017 (WM #283770), right?    Does it
> extend far
> enough into the water to get your foot on it?
>
> Charless Fowlkes has a Windline 3-step telescoping ladder, WM #
> 165037.
> Charless, what kind of modification was needed when installing
> yours?   I
> assume it was because the ladder is desinged for attachment to a
> swim
> platform.  I like the telescoping models, but are they strong
> enough?  Does
> the ladder lay against the transom when extended?  It seems to me
> that the
> sturdiest design would rest against the transom to spread the
> horizontal
> load.  Those that stand off put the load on one place, usually where
> they
> pivot. I'm leaning toward the Windline TT3X.  It stands off, but is
> made for
> direct transom attachment, not to a swim platform.
>
> I know Doug Kelch added one last summer.  What did you use, Doug,
> and are
> you happy with it?
>
> As much as I dislike cutting holes in the boat, I'm leaning toward
> installing inspection ports for access to the transom bolts.    I'm
> sure I
> could fish a backing board/plate into place and attach it with Tee
> nuts, but
> then I can't check or adjust, if needed.   Wow.  I just looked up ss
> Tee
> Nuts in the WM catalog: $47.49 for a pkg of 25 ea 1/4", or $31.49
> for ten
> 5/16".  And I might need both!  It's only $11.00 each for inspection
> ports,
> and it might simplify installation.
>
> Anyway, all advice, taken or not, will be appreciated.
>
> Thanks,
> Bill Riker
> wriker@mindspring.com
> 412-341-7198
>
>
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