Harvey, I can't speak to all of your concerns since I'm a "Potter lurker" on this list ( which I enjoy a lot), but I can speak to the issue of carrying fuel on the swim ladder. I have done that for several years on my Potter 15 for exactly the same reasons as you state (getting it out of the cabin and cockpit) and am very satisfied. I don't have a platform just a fold down ladder. I leave the ladder in the up position and strap/bungee the fuel can to the ladder. I sit the can (I have a 2 gal. and a 1 gal. both; the 2 gal. fits tighter but the 1 gal. works ok too) between the top (bottom when ladder down) and the next step, strap it around the ladder with a 1" lashing strap and a bungee through the carry handle and around the ladder. I have trailed the boat app. 800 miles round trip and sailed with this arrangement and reccommed it highly. Lewis Baumstark P15 Bristol, TN ----- Original Message ----- From: "Harvey Hochstetter" <LoHHochs@ihc.com> To: <montgomery_boats@mailman.xmission.com> Sent: Sunday, March 17, 2002 6:52 AM Subject: M_Boats: Stern Ladder Mounting
Good Morning All,
I am considering mounting a stern ladder with a small platform on the stern, opposite side of the tiller from the OB mount. I saw one in the West Marine catalog that has a small platform in conjunction with the ladder. It would give the function of: 1. Boarding ladder, 2. Swim platform, 3. Platform to store a plastic jerry can with fuel for the outboard on that would be outside of the boat. the idea for that would be that any escaping fumes would not be into the boat to settle in the cockpit, cabin sole or bilge.
I'm soliciting thoughts on 1. practicality of the platform. 2. durability of (stainless/teak) platform, 3. the idea of using the platform for a fuel storage accessory. 4. need of backing the mount on the inboard side of the transom, and 5. the thickness of that stern transom wall.
My reasoning for using the platform for a fuel storage platform is that I am concerned about the possibility of having any fuel fumes entering the boat anywhere, and I think that with the tank on the outside it would decrease the possibility of that happening.
Thank you all for sharing your ideas and expertise.
Harvey & Deena H M-15 #348 PELICAN Walla Walla, WA
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