During the summer, as folks are more frequently going for dips in the waters they play in, we frequently get questions similar to this: "I have a 1997 XYZ 27' Bowrider Boat, I'm trying to replace my boat ladder. Help!!!"
The Answer
Most often, these boaters are trying to exactly duplicate the ladder they had on their boat to begin with; essentially they're trying to avoid drilling new holes. Unfortunately, this is sort of a bad news/bad news proposition.
First bad news: if your boat is more than 10 years old or so, it may be tough to find an exact duplicate of that ladder. Second bad news, if your boat is newer the boat manufacturer may be able to connect you with a new replacement ladder but expect to pay through the nose for it. $400-600 is a fair estimate.
Your other option is to purchase a replacement ladder from a company like ours. You'll pay something more reasonable, say in the range of $100-$150. The drawback with this option is that the ladder will not be an identical match to your current ladder, although it may be a close match. Ultimately, expect to be drilling a couple of new holes, but you'll have peace of mind knowing you've got a new, reliable ladder in place!
Boat odors can come from a variety of sources. It's important to know where and what to look for to completely eliminate the source of the smell. Once you have an idea of where these odor hot spots might be, you can be better prepared to eliminate the odor and prevent them in the future.
With the warm summer months at our doorstep, boaters everywhere are looking for ways to take full advantage of a fun and relaxing boating season without draining their wallets. No boaters are immune to the sting of fuel prices, but there are a number of things we can do to significantly reduce the pain at the pumps.
Compared to your kitchen at home, your boat’s galley requires a little extra thought when it comes to dinnerware. Your kitchen does not rock or sway (unless there is an earthquake – oh my!), and likely has a lot more room than your galley. Galleyware needs to be purchased with the limited space and dynamic environs of your boat in mind. In this article we will go over the most common galleyware options to help you choose the best dishes for your boat.
Rod holders are an often overlooked yet extremely useful tool for fishing. A well-planned array of rod holders on your boat can eliminate some of the frustrations of fishing by keeping you organized and focused on finding the fish.
Installing a boat bimini top on your boat is an inexpensive and easy way to make your time on the water more comfortable. Boat biminis provide shade from the sun and cover from the rain. Best of all, installation is easy. In this article we will show you how to choose the correct size bimini for your boat, how to assemble your bimini, and how to install it. If you'd prefer to watch a video, the full how-to is provided below.
When shopping for a Bimini Top, it's easy to become overwhelmed trying to find the best match for your boat. Bimini tops offer many customizable features such as tube types, bow numbers, thread counts and color options to fit almost any boat. Which one is right for you?
Boating has a long history and has played, and still does play, a crucial role in exploration, transport, and recreation. With that kind of legacy comes a vast vocabulary developed to help people work and play in the marine environment. While there are entire dictionaries dedicated to boating terminology, here we will highlight some of the most important and common terms that most modern boaters should know.
Line chafe is one of the biggest enemies when it comes to boat ownership. Chafed and weakened boat lines are not only dangerous for overhead rigging but can also cause dock lines to fail and send your expensive investment adrift. It's important to know how to prevent dock line chafe and to recognize when damaged dock lines are in need of replacing.
During peak boating season the ramps are crowded and people are anxious to get on the water. If you're an avid boater, chances are you've seen tempers flare between fellow boaters competing for a spot on the boat ramp. Spare yourself and others the unnecessary frustrations at the boat ramp by following these simple ramp etiquette do's and don'ts.
