Cockpit Step

M

MOOSE

Member
Joined
Nov 7, 2003
Messages
624
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1
C Dory Year
2001
C Dory Model
22 Cruiser
Hull Identification Number
CD022963D101
Vessel Name
MOOSE
Here is a photo of a step that I fabricated for accessing the cockpit. It slides tightly over the lower wall of the combing and is about mid-distance between the gunwale and the molded step in the hull below. I happened to have some quarter inch thick fiberglass in flat and right-angled pieces, and so I simply bolted everything together. I think this could just as easily be made of wood, appropriately glued and fastened. This part of the combing is surprisingly sturdy, being so close to the cabin bulkhead, and there has been no issue with it flexing. Its size is minimal, at only about 4x6", but it's all that is needed. It has made cockpit access so much easier for us, so I wanted to share the idea.
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This is a great idea if you are still flexible enough to make big steps and turn around on the gunwale and step down backwards. Unfortunately, at my age and level of body disfunction that is no longer feasible. I have had to come up with an alternative which is a folding step stool with a large and deep step (most step stools are too small for stepping down facing forward without the chance of a foot slipping forward). I finally found one (Little Giant brand with removal of the top brace). It takes up space but can be folded when not in use.
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step 2.jpg
 
I would worry about tearing up my leg on a plate like that. How do you avoid that if you are in a sea way, etc? I would at least round the corners for safety. Is it also bolted thru the hull? On our 22's we usually had a outdoor rated, nylon fiber infused heavy wall plastic storage box which we kept suppilies in for our long trips, which was about the right height to step up on. That also functined as an extra seat for two in the cockpit--also great for the dogs to jump on and use when getting on and off the boat.
 
My first thoughts were; Thats a great idea, and Those corners need to be rounded out a bit. Maybe take a quarter and trace out the radius on those corners and cut them accordingly then round the sharp edges off. I agree with Tom, it may not be for everybody but if you are agile enough then it's a good answer and it only appears to protrude out less than 2" into the cockpit. Nice job.
 
Maybe it depends on the year of the boat, but on my '08 CD22, I wouldn't trust the structure there to hold a person's weight if the step is used a lot. My boat has the insert bins and the piece of FG they insert into is not that thick.
 
These are the steps that I made for our 22 cruiser.We have been using them for around eight years and we use the boat a lot. They make climbing in and out much easier, but They never get in the way when we are fishing. I started with one of these with the idea that it can be used on either side and easily moved since they just hang on the gunnel. It worked so well that i made a duplicate so that both sides were equipped so we didn't have to think about which side to hang them on. After eight years of constant use there are no signs of ware on the gunnels and no cracks in the fiberglass. They also make a nice shelf to set your drink on while we sit in our chairs at the dock or on anchor. The port side steps work to hold the door open by sliding them back and forth on the Gunnel. Every item in a small boat should have more than one function, Right?PXL_20230610_205716273.jpgPXL_20230610_205811218.jpg
 
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drbridge said:
These are the steps that I made for our 22 cruiser.We have been using them for around eight years and we use the boat a lot. They make climbing in and out much easier, but They never get in the way when we are fishing. I started with one of these with the idea that it can be used on either side and easily moved since they just hang on the gunnel. It worked so well that i made a duplicate so that both sides were equipped so we didn't have to think about which side to hang them on. After eight years of constant use there are no signs of ware on the gunnels and no cracks in the fiberglass. They also make a nice shelf to set your drink on while we sit in our chairs at the dock or on anchor. The port side steps work to hold the door open by sliding them back and forth on the Gunnel. Every item in a small boat should have more than one function, Right?View attachment 128873View attachment 128874
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Very nice workmanship and practical design. How thick is the plywood? Did you use two sheets on the bottom step? Are those dowl pins and glued together? Could you provide dimensions if someone were interested? Thanks.
 
With regards to the step stool: The edges are rounded and I have added corner bumpers (for tables) that are not shown in the photo. We only use the steps when docked and keep it folded and "bungeed" when underway or when not in use. I have tried a number of different step options and found that I need a step that is at least 8" deep (a total of 16" from the side of the cockpit) to feel safe going in face-forward. This Little Giant step stool is the only one I have found that has steps of the required depth. We like to tie up on the port side because that is where the shore power plug is located. If we need to tie up on the starboard side I have built a box that can be stepped on that holds the Dometic fridge we have. The second step is a waterproof Dometic storage box with a reinforced top just aft of the fridge.
 
Schuster said:
Very nice workmanship and practical design. How thick is the plywood? Did you use two sheets on the bottom step? Are those dowl pins and glued together? Could you provide dimensions if someone were interested? Thanks.
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The steps are 15" wide. top is 5" deep and Bottom is 8" deep. They are spaced 12" apart. The bottom step does not rest on the molded step of the C-Dory but is just above it. The gunnel supports all the weight. The sides are 3/4" ply. The top step is 1/2" ply. The bottom step is two pieces of 1/2" ply epoxy glued/laminated together to make them 1" thick. Silicone bronze screws are used for fastners with all joints epoxy glued together. The steps were finished with dalys seafin teak oil. The crucial part of hanging the steps is the slot cut in to the sides. hard to give a dimension for that. I just used a piece of scrap wood and carved on it until it worked and then transfered the shape to my finished product. I made the sides first and then built around that.
The steps are always there when you need them, but never in the way of anything and they are very sturdy. They are not fastened to the boat, but just hang on the gunnel and very easily removed.
 
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drbridge said:
The steps are 15" wide. top is 5" deep and Bottom is 8" deep. They are spaced 12" apart. The bottom step does not rest on the molded step of the C-Dory but is just above it. The gunnel supports all the weight. The sides are 3/4" ply. The top step is 1/2" ply. The bottom step is two pieces of 1/2" ply epoxy glued/laminated together to make them 1" thick. Silicone bronze screws are used for fastners with all joints epoxy glued together. The steps were finished with dalys seafin teak oil. The crucial part of hanging the steps is the slot cut in to the sides. hard to give a dimension for that. I just used a piece of scrap wood and carved on it until it worked and then transfered the shape to my finished product. I made the sides first and then built around that.
The steps are always there when you need them, but never in the way of anything and they are very sturdy. They are not fastened to the boat, but just hang on the gunnel and very easily removed.
Click to expand...
drbridge said:
The steps are 15" wide. top is 5" deep and Bottom is 8" deep. They are spaced 12" apart. The bottom step does not rest on the molded step of the C-Dory but is just above it. The gunnel supports all the weight. The sides are 3/4" ply. The top step is 1/2" ply. The bottom step is two pieces of 1/2" ply epoxy glued/laminated together to make them 1" thick. Silicone bronze screws are used for fastners with all joints epoxy glued together. The steps were finished with dalys seafin teak oil. The crucial part of hanging the steps is the slot cut in to the sides. hard to give a dimension for that. I just used a piece of scrap wood and carved on it until it worked and then transfered the shape to my finished product. I made the sides first and then built around that.
The steps are always there when you need them, but never in the way of anything and they are very sturdy. They are not fastened to the boat, but just hang on the gunnel and very easily removed.
Click to expand...
Thank you for that. I would think that there might be a market for your step design. Probably wouldn't take long to assemble is you had a pattern and built 5 or 6 units at a time and sell them to needy Cdory owners. Again, nice job.
 
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