Folding Cockpit Steps

[CAVU]

For owners with short legs (like me) that step down from the gunwale to the built-in step is a long one. High docks have the same effect for me. I built a set of folding steps and have posted pictures in my album. Simple and easy to make for anyone is interested.

 

[gljjr]

Ken,

Those look really nice!!

 

[B~C]

A nice solution to the controlled crash entry system. I see the facctory has made those molded in steps a bit bigger, it's still a long way from the dock to the stock step.

 

[Pat Anderson]

Another option is the stainless hinged single step that mounts on the aft bulkhead and folds up flat. Don't recall the price, but under $20 - we had one on each side of the old Daydream, mounted about half way between the gunwhale and the molded step in the cockpit.

For owners with short legs (like me) that step down from the gunwale to the built-in step is a long one. High docks have the same effect for me. I built a set of folding steps and have posted pictures in my album. Simple and easy to make for anyone is interested.

 

[RichardM]

June 2016: I've designed and built a different version of cockpit steps. Photos are in the Pangur Ban album. This one provides 4 steps from cockpit to gunwale that are sized like common steps in a house. The whole thing is hinged at the middle step so it will unfold into a cockpit bench or table when underway.

 

[Sunbeam]

Interesting! It would be great to see a photo of them "up" as steps, if possible. Here they are "down," from your album:

 

[hardee]

Hey, that looks pretty good. I'm with Sunbeam, would like to see them in the step mode as well. Looks like in this position they might make a reasonable cockpit seat.

Thanks for sharing this. That is a nice addition.

OK, I found it already in your album, so here is the working step version.




Harvey
SleepyC:moon

 

[RichardM]

Sunbeam and hardee, thanks for your comments. My wife likes the fact that the top step is even with the gunwale and makes that first or last step (boarding or leaving) feel safer. Two issues to point out are these: first, the cutouts at the bottom, to fit over the molded cockpit step, mean the unit doesn't stand up by itself in the up position. I couldn't figure out a way to avoid that. Second, in either position it is still pretty big and can't be tucked away out of sight if you don't need it. Time will tell us how it works in the boat while cruising.

Richard