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Boat Ladder How-To Guides

Need help selecting a boat or dock ladder? You've come to the right place! Use our helpful guides below to learn how to
find the right ladder for your boat or dock.

Ladder Styles - What's The Difference?

Boat & dock ladders come in different styles to fit your specific application or need. You can think about ladders in the following categories:

Ladder Style Description
General Boat Boarding Ladders For all boat styles EXCEPT pontoon boats

Rear/transom mount

Side/gunwale mount
Pontoon Boat Ladders For all styles of pontoon boats

Rear/transom mount

Side gate mount

Deck mount
Swim Platform Ladders Ladders with attached mini swim platforms

Standalone ladders for mounting to existing swim platforms on boats
Dock Ladders For permanent or removable mounting to a dock
Dive Ladders For mounting to a boat for use with fins or other dive/swim gear


Features common to all ladders:

Feature Options Notes
# of Steps Varies by model; 0 - 7 Bottom rung should be at least 18” below the surface; the deeper into the water level the ladder extends, the easier it will be for people to board

Ladders with more steps make boarding easier by placing the bottom rung deeper into the water

Steps or ladder must be stowed above water level when under way
Frame Material Anodized aluminum or stainless steel Aluminum is lighter and less expensive & is recommended for portable or removable mountings

Stainless steel is stronger and more corrosion resistant & is recommended for permanent mountings or use in salt water
Step Material Aluminum or steel, no cover

Aluminum or steel w/ non-skid treads

Plastic or vinyl		 Plastic or vinyl steps are wider and may be more comfortable to the foot

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Boat Boarding Ladders - How To Select?

Feature Options Notes
Rear/Transom Mounting Fixed position

Various mounting options based upon transom size & thickness		 Rear mount ladders tend to be more compact with fewer steps
Side/Gunwale Mounting Removable

Hooks over gunwale

Mounts to bracket attached to side of boat		 Designed to be easily put on and off as needed

7” and 11” hook sizes are available to fit different gunwale thicknesse; ladder should fit snugly without much lateral movement

Side mount ladders are hook style and tend to have more steps
Stowage (Storage) Folding

Telescoping		 Telescoping steps & folding hooks makes longer ladders easy to store when not in use

Ladder must be clear of water when boat is moving

If you will be using a ladder frequently, a fixed mounted ladder is recommended; if ladder use is infrequent, a removable ladder may be best

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Pontoon Boat Ladders - How To Select?

Feature Options Notes
Deck Mount Fixed or removable

Slides or folds to mount under deck

Folds to mount against boat		 Most popular ladder is the Bow Mount, Under Deck style ladder

Boarding ramp features plastic wheels for easy sliding in and out of position
Side Gate Mount Removable

Hooks into plastic mounting cups in pontoon deck		 Folds for storage; steps may telescope as well
Rear/Transom Mount Fixed or removable

Mounts on top of transom or with flush mounts		 Fixed model folds down to store in place on transom

Removable model telescopes & folds to store on or off boat
Stowage (Storage) Removable models fold flat and may also have telescoping steps

Fixed models fold down to store in place or under deck

Boarding ramp slides under deck		 Boarding ramp and under deck mount storage models offer maximum convenience for ease of storage and use

Ladder must be out of water when boat is moving

The most convenient pontoon ladder when beaching your boat is the bow mount, under deck ladder

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Swim Platform Ladders - How To Select?

Styles Options Notes
Ladders With Attached Mini Platforms 0, 1 or 2 steps

1 or 2 arms

Specific models for I/O or O/B boats

Ladder mounts & stores either on top or bottom of attached platform		 Arms may fold up or down

O/B models include mounting arm under platform to attach to boat

JIF platforms come pre-drilled for easy attachments of ladder

Windline models require that you drill holes in the platform and then mount ladder
Standalone Ladders 2, 3 or 4 steps; poly or steel

Mounts to existing swim platform on boat's transom

Can mount over or under your platform		 All models telescope

Most models fold or slide to store; 1 model telescopes into pocket

You will need to secure your own mounting hardware; the thickness of swim steps vary too much for manufacturers to be able to include mounting hardware with these styles of ladders

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Dock Ladders - How To Select?

Feature Options Notes
Stowage (Storage) Some models are stationary and stay fixed below the water level; others are removable when not in use

Models that store above the water line do so via retractable lifting, folding via hinge or flip up operation		 Having a ladder be stored out of the water is optimal to prevent marine growth and overall wear on ladder
Frame & Steps Anodized aluminum

3, 4, 5 or 7 steps

Some models offer a choice of standard 2" width steps or 4" extra wide steps

Steps may be angled for easier climbing		 The # of steps is dependent upon the water level – the ladder needs to extend into the water (if not, people will have to lift their feet/legs up above the water to get to the lowest rung)

The greater the number of steps, the easier it will be for people to climb up as they do not need to raise their leg/foot as high to start climbing

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Dive Ladders - How To Select?

Feature Options Notes
Design Unique design allows for easy climbing with fins on

Ladders may telescope to store, fold into ladder pocket or easily remove via quick release mounts		 People can put feet on rungs from outside vs. having to fight to get feet/fins onto run with sides in the way

Choice of 3 or 4 steps

Angled mounting aids climbing up and down

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Measuring For Ladder Fit - How?

No matter what type of ladder you need or where you will mount it, the basics of how to measure are the same. Follow these simple steps to ensure that you select the right ladder for your mounting space.

  1. Identify mounting location.

  2. Measure from desired mounting location to the top of the waterline.

  3. Add 18" to that measurement; this will be your recommended length for a ladder when in the extended position (for use).

  4. If additional ease of climbing is desired, shop for ladders longer than your recommended length; these will be ladders with more steps.

  5. Measure the available width at the desired mounting point to be sure that no other feature will be in the way of the ladder (e.g. boat motor, etc)

  6. It is recommended that customers identify where they will store their ladder (if removable) and ensure they have proper space to store; storage dimensions are given for all ladders for this purpose

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