www.iFourWinns.com

Hi guys

I have just ordered a new 4 step stainless telescoping ladder to replace the original white FW folding ladder.

We often have a boat full of kids and that ladder is a certain finger chopper. I cannot understand how anyone would design a family boat with such a ladder. It has so many pinch points I have already caught my fingers twice, and I suspect people unfamiliar to these things will do a serious injury.

Has anyone done this before, I doubt I am the first to change out the ladder?

_________________
Cheers

Mark
Melbourne
Australia

Boats:
Current: 2004 FW 190
2001 Mastercraft X5
1998 Malibu Response
1999 Sea Ray 180
17 ft Scimitar Barefoot (200hp Yamaha)
16ft Scimitar Ski (Yamaha 115)
1988 Ski Nautique ( Called Ski Antique)

Yep, first time I folded that ladder while standing behind the boat, I mashed some fingertips pretty good between the ladder and the deck. (not injured...just pain). I have not changed it, so I have to give passengers instructions on how not to fold it up.

_________________

"Knot Easy" 2000 Horizon 240 Volvo 5.7GS /SX
tow: 2017 Honda PILOT EXL-AWD
prev. boats:
'87 Chaparral 198CXL 4.3 OMC Cobra
'69 Jetstar 16ft Ski Boat, 115hp Yamaha
'68 Aluminum Jon Boat, 3hp Sears
'64 Water Wings

Post pics of what you changed it to. Tired of the crappy powder coat flaking off mine. Either need to have new coating or a new ladder

_________________
2001 328 Vista "Nauta Dream 2"
AB Inflatable 10AL "Little Dreamer"
2000 248 Vista
1997 225 Sundowner


Mike

I still have the real old style flip down one. It's made of stainless and does not pinch fingers.

_________________
88 Four Winns 200 Horizon
4.3 OMC Cobra-4bbl
2002 Walker Bay 10/2012 Suzuki 2.5
2008 Walker Bay 8

1998 Jeep Grand Cherokee 4.0/Selectrac
2007 Jeep Grand Cherokee 5.7 Hemi/Quadradrive II

The new ladder arrived today....

This is it on top of the existing FW white origami ladder. Will remove old and install new this weekend. The holes don't line up but that's ok I will re drill new and plug the old.

_________________
Cheers

Mark
Melbourne
Australia

Boats:
Current: 2004 FW 190
2001 Mastercraft X5
1998 Malibu Response
1999 Sea Ray 180
17 ft Scimitar Barefoot (200hp Yamaha)
16ft Scimitar Ski (Yamaha 115)
1988 Ski Nautique ( Called Ski Antique)

I have owned both type of ladders and much prefer the folding ladder because the telescoping one always got hung up and it didn't hang at an angle. Maybe they are made better now.

_________________

Current Boat: 2000 Four Winns 298 Vista
Previous Boat: 2000 Carver 406MY

"origami ladder" lol

You should be able to sell your old FW ladder in the buy/sell section.

_________________

"Knot Easy" 2000 Horizon 240 Volvo 5.7GS /SX
tow: 2017 Honda PILOT EXL-AWD
prev. boats:
'87 Chaparral 198CXL 4.3 OMC Cobra
'69 Jetstar 16ft Ski Boat, 115hp Yamaha
'68 Aluminum Jon Boat, 3hp Sears
'64 Water Wings

This one is designed so that the ladder hangs at about the same angle as the current FW ladder, so I am happy with that.

Reason for replacing is the FW folding style ladder will almost certainly crush little fingers, telescoping version has much less chance. Even if this new telescoping ladder needed to be replaced every year I would still change it as the medical bills and a ruined day on the water will be far more expensive.

_________________
Cheers

Mark
Melbourne
Australia

Boats:
Current: 2004 FW 190
2001 Mastercraft X5
1998 Malibu Response
1999 Sea Ray 180
17 ft Scimitar Barefoot (200hp Yamaha)
16ft Scimitar Ski (Yamaha 115)
1988 Ski Nautique ( Called Ski Antique)