Transom Step

While the Scanmar’s folding transom ladder is well made and very convenient, but the distance between the top ladder step and the deck is rather far to reach. I had always wished that there was one more step to make it easier to get up to the deck. While replacing the ladder is one (expensive) solution, I found a cheaper means of achieving the same results. Plastimo makes a stainless steel step (model #12572) which just happens to fit between the side rails of the stock Scanmar ladder, allowing the ladder to fold over the step. The step is also made of the same size tubing, 22 cm, and so matches the original ladder perfectly. The base of the step has a round flange on either side pre-drilled for three mounting screws. These flanges provide a great degree of stability. I drilled holes all the way through the transom, filled the holes with epoxy to seal against water intrusion, redrilled the holes and mounted the step using backing plates made from 1/8” scrap aluminum. By the way, the transom on my boat, a 1984 model, is not solid but is cored with foam. 3M 4200 was used as a sealant. The final result looks like part of the original ladder.