Transom ladder

Looking for advice from those that have mounted swim ladders on their jon boats. I’m looking for a transom mounted safety ladder for my 1752 Blazer jon boat. Debating between two or three step and concerned about the 12 degree angle of my transom. Want the ladder to be near vertical when deployed and want to minimize height of ladder above transom when folded up. Leaning toward a two step because I fear a three step will stick up above transom to much and get in the way. Would also like the mounting brackets to be above water line due to drilling holes in transom. I will rarely use ladder but need a safe way to get back in if I should fall out. I usually fish alone. I have a bad hip and bad knee and I’m old and fat. Do you think I can get by with a two step? I currently have a ladder that hooks over the transom/gunwale but it takes up floor space and would rather have something permanently mounted easy to get to and out of the way. Based on looks alone, it appears that most ladders are best suited for zero degree transoms. I would like to avoid the ladder slanting back under the boat which makes it lots harder to climb back in. Any recommended brands/models? Please advise.

Im thinking something similar to this: https://www.ebay.com/itm/JIF-Marine-28-H-Aluminum-2-Step-Compact-Folding-Transom-Ladder-/303230122669

I don't remember the brand but they make one that attaches to a jack plate if you have one of those.

There’s no way you’ll get out of the water with a 2-step IMHO. Here’s a 4-step installed, and you’re right, it projects well above the transom. However this friend of mine is a big guy and he needs to use the power of his legs to get himself out of the water.

Biggest problem with less steps is that people need to put their foot up too high, that bottom step is barely in the water or under the hull and they also don’t have enough upper body strength to pull themselves up out of the water.

https://forum.tinboats.net/viewtopic.php?f=3&t=45670&hilit=Ladder

DaleH said:

There’s no way you’ll get out of the water with a 2-step IMHO. Here’s a 4-step installed, and you’re right, it projects well above the transom. However this friend of mine is a big guy and he needs to use the power of his legs to get himself out of the water.

Biggest problem with less steps is that people need to put their foot up too high, that bottom step is barely in the water or under the hull and they also don’t have enough upper body strength to pull themselves up out of the water.

https://forum.tinboats.net/viewtopic.php?f=3&t=45670&hilit=Ladder

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I bookmarked that for later.


My biggest fear with that or any ladder would be swamping the corner of the boat.

RaisedByWolves said:

My biggest fear with that or any ladder would be swamping the corner of the boat.

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You could even buy a 4 or 5-step ladder and put it off the bow ‘V’. And that would be the most stable part of the hull, if centered, whereas you are a big guy. And those telescoping steps should fold right over the bow light or cleat, etc.

What I would like for where we boat if not so much a rescue ladder, but something I could extend to the bottom(4’or so) to allow boarding after a swim.

Kinda like a crutch/ladder in one.

I’ve mounted an aluminum single pole sport dive Garelick ladder on my transom.
I have a jack plate, so I have the room to store the ladder on the inside of my transom, along with a boat hook.