Dive ladder steps

[lowlysubaruguy]

What’s your favorite round oval or flat steps on a divers ladder a number of my dive buddies are heavy 200 to 250 pounds which is a factor. Some dive ladders hurt my feet.
Winter project is building a ladder. Much more in depth than a simple bolt on unit. Will have railing and fold and lock to itself when up. Want to use the right step shape.
Pictures of your favorite ladder would be great. I’m a fabricator of sorts want to make something that really performs well.

 

[icechip]

Not sure how to design or arrange it, but a ladder at somewhat of an angle I would think would be more helpful than straight perpendicular.

 

[johndiver999]

Agree with above and a flat step is much more comfortable. It also is nice to put stick on non-slip friction tape,

 

[Mike Walker]

Grippy tape on the bottom step is on my permanent wish list....

(Why is this so rare....?)

 

[Diving Dubai]

All our ladders are round tube, wrapped with rip for grip

They are at an angle to ease ascent, also bottom rung is deep enough to allow getting yourself to the vertical

At the top, good grab handles to allow getting into the boat if it’s choppy

Edit: The norm is here for fin off ladders, I prefer them to fin tree especially in rough waters

However as seen in the post below, we’re all different.

 

[Steve_C]

I like a tree shaped ladder. Step open on both sides. Also a ladder that flexes (is hinged at the boat, ladder itself is rigid) is easier to get on in choppy seas. The tape is good it is just that it tends to wear off. Personally unless the seas are real calm i prefer to get on with fins on. Once the fins are off the ability to move around is greatly reduced and with a boat in swells I want to be able to accelerate up onto the ladder when I think it is time. Then hold on and get situated and then go up. Some sort of handhold on the boat to help exit the ladder is good also.

 

[Wookie]

I use oval tube 18” wide on a fins off ladder. I do not like Christmas tree ladders. The oval tube is a 2 1/2” x 1 1/2” extrusion. I get it from a aluminum supplier in Louisiana.

 

[broncobowsher]

Small diameter round tube sucks.

 

[Steelyeyes]

 

[MaxBottomtime]

We modified a swing bracket for our Armstrong ladder. I recently added non-skid tape to the railings. With the welded arm and rubber stop, the ladder rests at a slight angle in the water. We have a line and bolt snap attached to the ladder. When the ladder is up, we loop the line around the railings and clip it to itself.