Cuddy step up

[garbubba]

I must be getting old, but I need an easier way up & down from the bow of my cuddy.

But what is the best way?

The previous owner made a pretty smart rig, a box that fits in the cuddy well, then flips over to become a step. He used steel fasteners though so I banished from the boat.
It's problem is it uses up half of your well. Maybe a new version of this with a hinged step?

I searched thread & came up with a ladder rig that looks sweet but it blocks off access to the cuddy. I have some sailboat stairs here that may do it.

I know there are more old guys with bad knees out there, what do you do?

Doug

[Hedge]

send the kids or grandkids in for what you need. I can't see my big arse going in there.

[garbubba]

It's not in that gives me trouble (OK my big butt barely fits) but it's on top. I throw cast nets & the only place that I can throw worth a da*n is the bow. Hard enough getting up there, but with your hands full of net, wow!

I've been out doing inventory & I think I'm going to try to use stuff salvaged off a sailboat that washed up on my place years ago.

Looking at a hinged cover that has steps on the underside.

Just need to figure a good secure way to attach it to the top when in the up position.

Doug

[Hedge]

Sorry I misunderstood. I would not even attempt to get on top of the cuddy, even though I do like the thought of a bow rider.

How about something like this.

http://www.walmart.com/ip/Cosco-Steel-Step-Stool-3-Step/17209081

It will serve the purpose when needed, and you can fold and store in the cuddy when you don't need it

[reelapeelin]

Garbubba YOU ARE NOT ALONE!!...lol...does your well have a lid?...or is yours open?...I put a lid on mine, so to step up on the top of the cuddy, I strapped the cooler I use for the fish box down to the cuddy floor so it won't move, ACROSS the inside of the cuddy, not in line w/the well...I can easily step up on the cooler and then on top of the cuddy...I really need to add a stiffer surface to the top of the cooler and will eventually do so, but it works REEL good...

[rb437]

I had mounted a folding mast step on the bulkhead just to the right of the cuddy door on the '89 I used to have. Found it to be very usefull. Thinking doing the same on the '95 I have now. Thought I had a picture, but can't find it :(

[phatdaddy]

glad to know i am not the only one to have this problem. i thought somebody had a set up with a bottom piece of a stepladder that slid up under the cuddy when not in use, then pulled out like a drawer and hinged down when needed.

[buckleyjr]

You are right. There was a guy that had a removable wooden step ladder. He posted some pics and it looked really nice. He even explained how he made it. It clipped into the top and was at a slight angle. Made of teak, I think.

[Hedge]

I think this is the thread you are talking about, it's amazing what you can find with a search

http://www.wellcraftv20.com/community/showthread.php?t=15367&highlight=step+ladder

[jeffmo]

That's my boat and the ladder works very well. My old knees aren't what they use to be and it makes getting onto the bow alot easier.

[SkunkBoat]

buy a $3000 hard top. then you can swing into the cockpit from the bow!:party:
well, doesn't help much getting up there though.

I just put in new starboard deck lids and it really got a lot easier than stepping on a pile of life jackets, a fender, and cutting board...covered with a landing net

[garbubba]

I saw that thread, that's what gave me the idea that I'm working on now. He had leftover boat steps & guess what? I do too.


Hedge, two things,

no steel on bubba's boat, I hate rust.

The other thing, I'm big, about 275, but I've been bigger than that & I jump all over that cuddy roof throwing a cast net, it gives a bit but it's tough.

I'm still in a hardware bind but I live in the right place & I'll work it out.

I'm adding pics of what I'm working with, & what the previous owner had.

Doug

[garbubba]

Here's what I built a few years back, two covers, cypress & stainless, can fit three buckets (4gallon) under there!

[garbubba]

This project on hold as I service bearings & replace fenders. Half the trailer is up on jackstands & I don't want to bounce it around.

New (diamondplate!) fenders should be here Tues. I have the step in the shop & I'll have it ready for hardware when I can get back to that part.

Doug

[garbubba]

OK 1 new set of bearings, 1 new tire & rim, new diamondplate fenders, new LED lights with stainless hardware,new wiring harness & side lights too, just to top it off.

All Done!

I'll get back to the step in the morning, ordered hardware, should be here Monday, so it's just final fit & sanding & I need to make part of the hardware.

Doug

[reelapeelin]

OK 1 new set of bearings, 1 new tire & rim, new diamondplate fenders, new LED lights with stainless hardware,new wiring harness & side lights too, just to top it off.

All Done!

I'll get back to the step in the morning, ordered hardware, should be here Monday, so it's just final fit & sanding & I need to make part of the hardware.

Doug


Get us some fresh boat porn while yer at it...lotta peeps here wanna see yer solution to this...:clap:

[garbubba]

As ordered sir.

Here are some pics of the final finish, I need to pull it out from under the shop to get good pics of it installed. I'll do that soon, 'cause I'm itching to get her wet.



It's simple enough, if you have the wood & hardware from a salvaged sailboat sitting around. ;-)

I think the previous owners solution was much more practical & even more simple than mine, I'll post a pic of it too.

Doug

[garbubba]

This is a very simple & sturdy solution to the problem. He built two pieces, one covered half of the compartment(threw it away long ago), the other is the one in the pic. He got fancy with it and angled it to fit the compartment, but a square step would work fine. Just flip it over & voila!, a step!

He used decking lumber & deck screws (ugh) Might I suggest cypress & stainless, or teak, or mahogany....

Still, an inexpensive & simple solution. (if you don't have half a sailboat in your shop ;-).

Doug

[garbubba]

Rain won't let up around here so here's the best I could get with a flash.

I used pretty inexpensive hardware but it's stainless & out of the weather mostly so I'm hopeful. It's amazing how little pressure is on the hardware when you are on the thing.



Need to get out to sea & try it out but not in this weather.

Doug

[Hedge]

Looks good.