The new (to me) 2000 35 Lighting I am picking up on Thursday does not have a boarding ladder on it anywhere. Have been looking at the Aqua-Step retractable ladder to mount off to the side of the platform at the rear but was wondering if anyone had any pics of theirs from a little distance to see how it looks on the rear of a fountain. How was the installation? Can you access the inside of the platform from the engine bay or is there another way to attach it? And finally, any other ideas out there for a ladder? I've seen the one removable ones, but like the idea of something permanent. Thanks for any input!

I just use the drive as a ladder.

For myself I'm not too worried about doing that, (other than the stress on the outdrive of my big a$$ climbing on it ). My concern is mainly for my wife and friends... especially after a few drinks. Those labbed props are sharp! If $300 will keep me from having to take someone back to the office and suture them up... then I'm doin' it.

I put one of those ladders on an older welcraft with billet platforms and I didn't like the way it looked or worked. They are very narrow. Although, I have never had a complaint from the customer.

I understand, that is why I didn't have my props labbed this winter when I had them gone over.

http://www.westmarine.com/1/3/stainl...rt-dive-ladder
The "3 step" listed at the top of the page is what fountain uses on the executioner(00' lightning) if you call fountain talk with Tony he can set you up with the bracket bent to fit the port transom area below the rub rail and then all you need do is drop the ladder in place...

Hey Bob- thanks for the heads up on that. Do you happen to have any pictures of what one looks like installed and in a retracted position? It looks like it would work great, but I just want to make sure it retracts up out of the way and has a fairly clean look. I'll call the factory tomorrow and see if I can't get in touch with him.

Had a bad experience trying to have a ladder put on. The fiberglass wouldn't hold where they put it and ended up sending the ladder back and doing fiberglass repair. We use the drives.

Ben
It has just a small bracket that stays on the rear corner the ladder removes and stows under the hatch (where I kept mine )I will see if I have a pic of the bracket,,(edit)Pics of my old boat trapped in my Wifes computer here is a pic I lifted from Boat trader, bracket is on the lower Port side..We had taken one off a boat several years ago for a customer was slightly bent (Slightly) at the top but still worked. I will call down and see if it is still where I put it in the parts dept.