[chadh]

Anybody know the manufacture of the rear folding ladder on 1998 Shabah 25?

[ShabahZ280]

I believe these were made in-house by Mariah and Chariot Marine Fabricators. They custom built all their own metal fixtures out of aluminum and stainless steel. So finding an OEM replacement might be a little challenging! Is there something wrong with yours?

[chadh]

When I purchased the boat, the fold up part of the ladder was missing. The base is still mounted and I was hoping to find one that I could just bolt up........Chad

[WetWilly]

Hi Chad,

I know what you mean! Our 96 Z240 had a bent ladder and one rung was missing. I searched for an exact replacement but with no luck... in the end, I modified a SS three rung ladder I got from West Marine.

It looks close enough to original when open but it doesn't quite sit flat when stowed like the original because the main legs are a little larger in diameter than the original where the it attaches to the frame. As to if it works, yes, it works great, kid and adult tested over and over and over!

Funny, the brochure states you have a three step ladder but the pictures show there are only two steps, weird!

Hope this helps,
WetWilly

[Irace82]

I have a question about a ladder. Mine is still in good perfect working order but i have the single mount under the swim platform thing. The ladder folds up and stows under the swim deck on the rolling sliders. The problem i have is that it is just the single step and very hard to get in the boat. I looked in a few magazines but found nothing that even closely mounted the same way. The ones in the magazines mounted on top of the platform the the pics above. Is there any alternative that i could find something to mount under in the same rolling tracks?

[fbinker]

I found one on ebay last week and had it in my watch item file. The item number is 230306899365. it has 11 days 10 hours left. It looks to be the same one I have on my 1998 180 shabah

[WetWilly]

Hi fblinker,

The ladder you have linked is the same style I used to replace ours, but it mounts to the top of the swim platform. Irace82's Shabah uses a bottom mount ladder.

Irace82, I think this is what you're looking for:

Slide Mount Ladder, 3 Step

Stainless steel steps slide under the platform for stowage. Requires a minimal amount of depth, fore and aft.

* Includes quick lock nylon strap
* Features three steps.
* Length deployed: 35"
* Length stowed: 15"
* Height stowed: 2.5"
* Overall width: 12/5"
* Weight: 8.8 lbs

I found this one at West Marine (where I got my replacement ladder). Here's the link.

Found a three step on eBay - link and a four step - link.

WetWilly

[Irace82]

Yep thanks thats what i was looking for. Guess i was looking in the wrong places. Thanks alot though

[Irace82]

Thanks Wetwilly i purchased the 3step from eBay. It will fit underneath my swim deck, the problem i am going to have is it is 1/2 inch wider than my original one so the hole will not line up. Do you have any suggestions on the easiest way possible to change out the ladder?

I looked underneath in the engine compartment and i can see where the old one is screwed in and held by metal plates for backing. I guess what im asking is there easy way to do this and also how difficult will it be to drill more holes and fill the old holes?

[WetWilly]

Hi Irace82,

Originally Posted by Irace82

I guess what im asking is there easy way to do this?

It really isn't that hard at all unless you don't have easy access to the backing plate area. It's remove the old ladder, position the new one, mark the holes, drill, fill, remount and you're done! (now wouldn't it be nice is everything was this straight forward?)

Originally Posted by Irace82

how difficult will it be to drill more holes?

Drilling into the fiberglass is almost the same as drilling into wood with a bit more dust and a little preparation first so remember to wear a dust mask and before you begin drilling, take a look at this article from "Go Boating" posted by MariahMan, click here, It contains some very important information in regards to making holes in fiberglass.

Originally Posted by Irace82

and fill the old holes?

As for filling in the old holes, that's fairly easy too and to walk you through step by step, click here and read ShabahZ250's "Hull repairs with Epoxy" How To. He takes you through the entire process and it's a perfect reference since you'll be working on the underside as well.

Well I hope this helps and I look forward to a possible new "How To" article with pictures...hint, hint,
WetWilly