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

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

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

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

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:

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

The other guys plan
 

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

more pics
 

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

Looks good.