Bumpers for swim ladder

wileecoyote

wileecoyote

Member
TECHNICAL Contributor
Oct 18, 2008
949
Southern MD/ Potomac river
Boat Info
1989 340 EC
Engines
7.4LX2 Hurth 630A Drives
6.5Kw QS Genny
Ok, I can't find a replacement for the swim ladder to keep it from digging into the platform. They are riveted to the ladder and support it when it's down. I've checked McMaster-Carr and can't find anything that has the curved bottom to cradle the tubing of the ladder. Does anyone know the original manufacturer, or a good place to get a replacement?
3508510415_2c681c159b.jpg
 
How about those little black feet you can get at Home Depot? They usually come in a pack of six for about $5 and are designed for the bottom of chair legs, etc. I've seen them in various diameters and they have a recessed hole in the middle for a screw. I'm sure you could rivet, instead. They're not concave, but they are rubber and I would think they would conform well enough.
 
I've found some similar to that, but I was hoping to find the ones with the half moon cutout on the backside to keep it from swiveling. If I can't find what I want I may go that way.
 
You could always shave/file/sand them down.

I'll try to remember to check my suppliers tomorrow evening. If you don't hear from me by 6:00pm, PM me.
 
Sea Ray also uses small clear bumpers for this sort of thing. They're about 3/8" in diameter, maybe 1/4" tall. They just stick on. I've seen things like this at Home Depot, as well. Instead of putting the bumpers on the ladder, stick them onto the platform where the ladder comes into contact with it. Just another idea.
 
Lazy Daze said:
Sea Ray also uses small clear bumpers for this sort of thing. They're about 3/8" in diameter, maybe 1/4" tall. They just stick on. I've seen things like this at Home Depot, as well. Instead of putting the bumpers on the ladder, stick them onto the platform where the ladder comes into contact with it. Just another idea.
Click to expand...
I had thought of that too, but was wondering if it would stick to the no slip surface, and if the riveted ones broke off, how long would stick-ons last?
 
That might work if I can't find something else. I'm wondering if those are hard plastic? Wonder how long they would last. Thanks for the link Jack that may end up being a winner! I'll see if I can get something through LazyDaze first.
 
I put water pipe insulation on mine so far its going on 2yrs and still holding up. :thumbsup:
Armaflex-PEX-Insulation.gif
 
You could always get these and file down the backside to get the curvature you are looking for. From mcmasters link:

9540k27p1l.gif


If you have a bench grinder you could get a decent curve started and then finish with a hand file. This would at least get you something which can be attached with a screw.
 
Why not a 2 part approach? Take the item from Westmarine in Jack's post #8. Drill a hole in the middle and mount the bumpers from McMasters on top. You may want to shave some of the thickness of the window savers down, but done right it could look very OEM like.
 
wileecoyote said:
I had thought of that too, but was wondering if it would stick to the no slip surface, and if the riveted ones broke off, how long would stick-ons last?
Click to expand...

I think they would work rather well. Besides, the only force on them is going to be a downward force. Although, you could always lightly sand the area of the non-skid where the stick-ons would be to make a flatter area. Just suggesting this because it's probably the cheapest way to go and the least visible.
 
ChuckW said:
Why not a 2 part approach? Take the item from Westmarine in Jack's post #8. Drill a hole in the middle and mount the bumpers from McMasters on top. You may want to shave some of the thickness of the window savers down, but done right it could look very OEM like.
Click to expand...
This sounds like a good idea, if I can get the gap right, I don't want them too thick. Never thought of this, makes perfect sense as long as the westmarine parts are sturdy.
 
wileecoyote said:
This sounds like a good idea, if I can get the gap right, I don't want them too thick. Never thought of this, makes perfect sense as long as the westmarine parts are sturdy.
Click to expand...

Seems to me a square bumper with a lower profile would look nice on the window saver.
 
Wilee,

I checked through 6 different marine suppliers. No luck. Sorry.
 
Did you never find those bumpers? mine are broken in pieces. there hard to find. there's a 30 ft weekender in storage with me. his look newer. but i haven't talked to him yet
 
I ended up buying the McMaster Carr round bumper. I can't remember exactly since it has been so long. Anyhow, the bumpers work really good for cushioning the ladder against the swim platform, the only problem is that they are not very hearty and will crack after about a year of use/storage. Since the packet came with 25 I usually just drill out the rivet and install new ones ever couple of years when they split or break.
Once I run out of the bag I have, I will probably go back and find something similar with a higher durometer.
I just looked and 9540k49 was the part I ordered, I probably should have tried the polyurethane.
 
I know this is a really old thread resurrected, but I bet a 3D printer could create whatever you need!
 
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