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Post by Maysport on Jun 9, 2022 20:47:45 GMT -5
I need to replace the brackets on my 3-step stainless steel telescoping boarding ladder. The steel is cracking around the pivot point. The ladder is made by Windline in California, who is apparently now owned by Lobostar LLC. I've called, left messages and e-mailed them with no response so far. I haven't been able to find just the brackets either locally or online. The brackets look similar to other brands. Not sure if another brand's brackets would work. Has anyone done this and can point me where to find the brackets?
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Post by fishnfool on Jun 9, 2022 22:03:39 GMT -5
Last time I contacted Windline for a part for my ladder they told me they dont sell parts. All I wanted was one of the end caps that are on the bottom of the ladder.
You might better off trying a bracket from another manufacturer or unfortunately buying a new complete ladder assembly.
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Post by jski59 on Jun 10, 2022 14:40:12 GMT -5
I replaced my ladder last year with a Windline I bought on eBay; the mounting brackets were different and I ended up pulling the originals off and putting them on the new one...so pay close attention to the mounting brackets even if you have to replace the whole thing. Luckily my original brackets didn't necessitate a tetanus shot before heading to the sandbar lol.
You could always sandblast those down and paint them with a thick epoxy or something...
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Post by Maysport on Jun 12, 2022 21:20:53 GMT -5
You might better off trying a bracket from another manufacturer or unfortunately buying a new complete ladder assembly. You could always sandblast those down and paint them with a thick epoxy or something... I'm afraid of ending up doing this, but still checking. I thought they were just rust-stained, but taking a close look after pulling the boat for service, I noticed some of back of the bracket where the bolts go through have actually cracked off. I'll get some measurements and compare to some ladders a local marine store carries. I think they are JIF brand or something like that, and 'look' identical. Thanks for the suggestions!
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Post by schlnrnd on Jun 13, 2022 20:45:32 GMT -5
Try calling Marine Connection Liquidators at (772) 465-6460. Located in Ft. Pierce, FL. They are a surplus warehouse and have most items. I’m pretty sure I’ve seen that type of ladder in previous visits.
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Post by Maysport on Jun 14, 2022 13:38:03 GMT -5
Try calling Marine Connection Liquidators at (772) 465-6460. Located in Ft. Pierce, FL. They are a surplus warehouse and have most items. I’m pretty sure I’ve seen that type of ladder in previous visits. Great tip - thanks! I ordered one from Amazon that was almost 1/3 the price of the Windline, but the gudgeons (brackets) were too short. All the internet ladders I can find don't have 7" gudgeons. Marine Connection Liquidators has one based on a phone call that should work, but there is one on Ebay that may also work, depending on the dimensions he sends me. Thanks again!
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Post by Maysport on Jun 14, 2022 20:41:11 GMT -5
I replaced my ladder last year with a Windline I bought on eBay; the mounting brackets were different and I ended up pulling the originals off and putting them on the new one...so pay close attention to the mounting brackets even if you have to replace the whole thing. jski59 - How was the ladder attached to the deck when you removed it? It seems like it is thru-bolted, not just #14 pan head screws. If it is thru-bolted, did you have to take out the water tank to get to the nuts? I took out the tackle storage locker to access any nuts. There doesn't appear to be any room between the bottom of the deck and the top of the water tank as you can see in the below picture, and it even seems a slight bolt protrusion with nuts would be pushing into the top of the water tank.
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Post by jski59 on Jun 18, 2022 7:29:11 GMT -5
Yes my ladder was thru bolted.
My boat is a 2860, so the freshwater tank is down in the center of the bilge,...I had a straight shot to the ladder hardware once I removed the hatch.
ugh, not sure how you get to those nuts. If your boat was built anything like mine, I wouldn’t be surprised if the ladder bolts are two inches too long and pressing down into the top of that tank.
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Post by jski59 on Jun 18, 2022 7:37:16 GMT -5
Is your freshwater fill near the brackets like mine? Might be able to remove that an get some access.
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Post by fishnfool on Jun 18, 2022 7:39:11 GMT -5
Can you shine a flashlight in that crevice to see if you can see the bolt coming through?
I assume you tried to remove the screw and it just spun? Would make sense to be through bolted but NOT with that design. I swear common sense seems to be lacking in the boat building industry. It's better today but not much...
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Post by Maysport on Jun 19, 2022 20:26:27 GMT -5
Can you shine a flashlight in that crevice to see if you can see the bolt coming through? I assume you tried to remove the screw and it just spun? Would make sense to be through bolted but NOT with that design. I swear common sense seems to be lacking in the boat building industry. It's better today but not much... No, the space between the top of the freshwater tank and underside of the deck is so tight that even a flashlight can't reveal anything. After a week of investigating hidden fasteners online and in stores, I decided I wasn't comfortable with them and wrestled to loosen up the water tank to get to the through-bolts. It has a weird plastic hold down strap with one #14 pan head screw holding it down on each end...and about 2" to get your hand and a screw driver in. I got the 'bracket' off, but is was broken. It is weird looking, and confirmation from Sailfish told me it was a plastic rubrail insert that they heated to form the bends around the tank. Going back with a thin strip of aluminum, bent to shape. I ordered...and returned 2 ladders off Amazon and Ebay that were !/3-!/4 the price of Windline. Jski59 had me concerned that Windline's current model might be different, and they don't show dimensions on their site nor will they return calls or e-mail. I finally found a 3-step ladde at a local Boathouse Discount Marine store that had the right width, the correct bracket length and was only 3" shorter when extended. I had to buy a new 1/4" drill bit to change the location of of of the bracket holes to match the original holes in the fiberglass deck, and then used a fender washer under the truss head screw to cover up the unused bracket hole. It was twice what the internet ladders cost but about $80 less than a Windline. Hope it holds up! With the help of my daughter, I finished up bolting the new ladder. One has to angle the water tank back and forth to gain an inch or two of room, and be a contortionist to reach all the way back past the tackle locker space and around the water tank to put the fender washer and locknut on the machine screws blindly, just by feel. What a project for what should be a piddley project! Water tank holddown and tackle locker reinstall are on for tomorrow. Oh, and a visit to plastic shops to find the 1/2" white acrylic sheet to replace the cracked console door...again!
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jerryk
Captain
When not online I'm likely on Knot Online
Posts: 611
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Post by jerryk on Jun 20, 2022 10:09:08 GMT -5
Quote of the day: What a project for what should be a piddley project!" I can't tell you how many times that has been my experience on a boat repair or upgrade. I tell you, nothing, NOTHING is easy on a boat. Yet, I must be a masochist because I still come back for more and do enjoy many of the projects I've done. It must be like childbirth for moms...you forget the pain once you can see the final product.
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Post by hookedup on Jun 24, 2022 12:44:32 GMT -5
I feel your pain. I'm convinced very few boat builders ever think about what's likely to need fixing after a few years. I've got to admit sometimes my approach makes it more work than necessary, but mostly it's the way it was built never took into consideration how to access it after the boat was put together.
Glad you got it fixed.
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Post by schlnrnd on Jun 24, 2022 22:10:13 GMT -5
I feel your pain and I rejoice to know it’s not just me experiencing the same issues on projects. Whether on the boat, carpentry, plumbing, painting etc. I must suck at estimating the level of difficulty couples with time involved to complete my To Do List. Oh well, I have a lot of time around the house this year to complete more frustrating boat projects. But when I finish them I feel damn proud because it looks how I envisioned and I know I saved money I can use in my next updating/repair project.
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Post by footy3 on Jun 27, 2022 6:19:22 GMT -5
I feel your pain and I rejoice to know it’s not just me experiencing the same issues on projects. Whether on the boat, carpentry, plumbing, painting etc. I must suck at estimating the level of difficulty couples with time involved to complete my To Do List. Oh well, I have a lot of time around the house this year to complete more frustrating boat projects. But when I finish them I feel damn proud because it looks how I envisioned and I know I saved money I can use in my next updating/repair project. Not to mention, you know it's done right. Is there anything more annoying than hiring someone to do a job you know you can do yourself, but don't have the time to get to it, and the person you hire does a mediocre job.....or worse
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