Winter Projects for Boaters | The Boat Ladder



Boat Ladder

As all of us less organized types found out (rather abruptly) on Monday morning; time has fallen back, giving us shorter days, longer nights, and anticipation for the winter months ahead. For us boaters, this may seem like it’s time to concentrate on secondary pursuits (like my favorite hobby: sleeping), but there are many fun crafty projects that can lighten up your winter nights and keep the spirit of the river alive in you. Here are a few that I’ve come up with, I hope you enjoy:

The Boat Ladder:

How many times have you been sitting in your boat, bladder full, sun beating down on you, and all you can think about how much it’s going to suck to get back in your boat once you’ve cooled off and your bladder is deflated? Or have you ever had a participant in your boat, obviously overheated, who refused to get out and swim because they were afraid you wouldn’t be able to get them back in the boat? Well, you might want to consider making a handy dandy boat ladder this winter. I guarantee that this fun project will make all your friends jealous come May. Here’s how I did it, but there are a ton of different variations to this crafty craft, just get creative with what you’ve got!

Step 1: Find something to create the rungs. While searching around the boat house for rung-like items I discovered that we had about 9 wooden handles from coolers past, so I decided to use those. I would think that PVC piping, pieces of webbing, or your kid’s building blocks would work too. I think 3 rungs are plenty, but add as many as you think necessary.

Step 2: Drill holes on each end of each rung to fit the cord you will be using.

Step 3: Cut 2 pieces of rope, webbing, or plastic cord in 3 foot pieces.


The Girth Hitch

Step 4: Tie overhand knots into the bottom of each 3’ piece of cord and thread on the first rung so it sits on each knot.

Step 5: Then, roughly, or exactly (depending on the type of person you are), measure about 6 inches on each cord and tie another over-hand knot.

Step 6: Slip the next rung over the new knots so it rests on top of them.

Step 7: Repeat steps 5 and 6 until you have placed all of your desired rungs (I opted for 3).

Step 8: Tie the ends of each piece of cord together. I hope you left enough room so that the end of your ladder can be tied to a perimeter line in a girth hitch.

Step 9: Tie the ladder to your perimeter line or D ring with a girth hitch. The girth hitch is a wonderful tool for your guide toolbox. If you don’t know it please see the diagram above.
Hint: No perimeter line? Then instead of using a girth hitch simply attach a carabeaner to the top of the ladder rope and hang it from a D ring or handle (D rings are better to hang from. You risk destroying your handle if you hang things from it).