SeaSense Rope Ladder

I purchased this to use as a removeable/temporary boarding ladder for my boat since there is no good place to permanently mount a traditional boarding ladder. 1) You cannot simply lay the top part of the rope over a cleat and climb the ladder as the photos show. Doing so will result in the rope slipping along the cleat until the steps of the ladder rotate from horizontal to vertical. Instead, take the top loop and tie it off the the cleat like you would a dock line - up through the space between the feet of the cleat and around the horns. This will keep it from slipping. For my use, I cut the top loop of the rope and installed stainless steel spring links on each end and then clip those off to a couple of tie down rings on the stern of the boat. This provides extra stability while climbing the rope. I also replaced the closest adjacent stern cleat on the boat with a very large 8" cleat that can be grasped like a grab bar. 2) The PVC pipe sections that keep the individual steps spaced properly are fairly thin. I don't know what the practical weight limit is on this ladder, but if you're a heavier person like me, it might be worth replacing them with regular schedule 40 PVC.I'm giving the product a 5 star review because it's a clever design at a decent price and will work well enough for most folks right out of the box.

The ladder floats to the surface making it very hard to use your legs to pull it straight down and untangle it. I had previously made my own rope ladder with aluminum tubes that worked MUCH better than this since it sank down into a straight line. However, it was wearing out so I bought this ladder instead of making a new one thinking it would work as well as my homemade ladder.These ladders have a steep learning curve for the inexperienced and there's a technique to using them - they're easy once you get the hang of it. In that regard, this ladder is no different than any other rope/wire ladder as opposed to a fixed steel ladder. However, the fact that it floats to the surface and you have to do some weird maneuvering in the blind, with your feet, to get it untangled and straightened out before climbing in makes it much harder than it should be.I do like the wide steps which are a little easier on your feet than narrow tubes. I also like the solid extensions to bear the weight instead of knots or sewn-in anchors like some other designs.Update: Discovered the ladder will eventually sink over time but it's due to holes in the hollow rungs. So it's worthless most of the time until it finally fills with water at the end of the day, at which point it leaks a bunch of water in your boat and/or vehicle and continues to do so for days. Also, the knots at the bottom of the ladder have worn out and frayed after only two uses. This is a piece of junk. It's really easy make your own ladder and you'll have a much better product at the end of the day.

I bought this to use as a way for people to get back into our boat when out at the sand bar. I run it from the rear tow point on my Malibu VLX over the swim plat form. It makes it much easier for people who struggle to get themselves back onto the boat. The alternative of installing a ladder and doing fiberglass work on my swim platform seemed like too much work and too expense. This stores nicely under the seats in the boat when not being used.

Works like it should. But understand it is a rope ladder and will flex and move when used.

This rope ladder is well build. The one issue is it is extremely unstable when attempting to get back in the boat. We used it once and would possible use it again in an emergency capacity just to have something for someone in the water to hold on too.

This ladder was advertised as able to be looped onto a boat or dock tie. When t arrived the rope wasnt connected and we had to put a knot into it so that it might be usable. Saying goes, you get what you pay for.

Stows well in our anchor bunker certainly hope I never have to know how well it works

We tried this on a 26' sailboat. My Greek friend almost killed himself trying to get up the ladder. The problem is that the steps float, so you can't step on them in the water. You have to get out of the water before you can put your foot on the step. Another problem is that it gets blown by the current under the boat. I do not recommend buying this.