Under Swim Platform Ladder Recommendations Please

The "L" shaped ones that stow against the transom worked well even with dive gear on (not recommended). The short arm of the "L" resting on the swim step provide rigidity and strength. The kind that slide out and dangle have a tendency to try to swing under the swim step. They all are useless without a hand hold of some kind. A hand rail running the width of the transom provided security when on the swim step with gear on and a handhold within reach of the ladder on the boat I ran in the Sea of Cortez. Be sure and visit Isla Las Animas.

I purchased ours from Amazon late 2023. 4 steps and it locks into place (vs velcro or bungee strap).
Holds my 270 lb fat asp plus dive equipment.
Was on it the other day. Still in great shape.


https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B082HBBW5S/ref=ox_sc_act_title_1?smid=A23OZAG67JR1V1&th=1

I have this ladder on my Everglades and the Viking. Has held up well.

I have this ladder by ggschmidt in Florida. Has held up well. They have stainless steel ladders with same configuration too.
Having trouble uploading a picture. Mine is powder coated aluminum.

Locked in vertical?? Not what you want.
Locked while secured? Others use a velcro or bungee strap to keep it in storage mode.
I felt this to be a poor design and did not go here until I found this locking in place ladder.
It takes a bit to get use to it but has never come loose as many other designs do, while operating.

I can offer a picture this weekend. I was considering a on platform hand hold but nixed another toe smasher. Mounted rite in front of my transom ladder as you crawl up, grab the platform vent and/or transom ladder.

There is a hinge stop that keeps the ladder from going under the deck. This stop will hold our weight. Ladder angle approx 160°.
For a whole rigid ladder? Every lil wave will try to rip it off of your platform. The hinged attachment point allows it to fly aft.
When you board the swim steps, your weight holds it mostly vertical pending the next wave.
Your not in a swim pool behind da house but live action sea water. Anything less than a space capsule recovery device (say 50K pounds?) has to flow with the water or rip the platform apart, or at least deform till the machine screws pop off.
Oh, despite the ad pictures, you are going to thru bolt this gizmo into place with big asp truss heads and nylock nuts over heavy/wide washers.
Pending your deck core material (wood?), possible epoxy sealing the thru bolt hole.

Do you remember those lil platforms and fold down ladders on the side of your outboard engine?
I do not have enough fingers (toes?) to count how many of them I have repaired because of a lil river chop on the beam when these steps were deployed.
Crunch, rip and splinters..

I have installed several undermount ladders from Schmidt, very well designed and made.